What is astigmatism?
Astigmatism is an irregular curve in the lens of your eye or curve of your cornea (part of the eye) that causes the light going entering eye to refract or bend unevenly. This distortion leads to blurry vision and difficulty seeing at night.
Other symptoms of astigmatism include a difficulty seeing objects close up and at a distance as well as:
- Headaches
- Eye strain
- Squinting
Children and adults can have astigmatism, and without regular eye exams, this condition is often overlooked. In children, the signs of astigmatism can be especially easy to miss without an evaluation from an eye care professional like Dr. Matthews.
How does astigmatism cause vision changes?
In a perfect eye, rays of light come through the lens evenly on all sides to reach the retina, or back of the eye, at one focal point. When the eye lens or cornea is not curved correctly, the rays may bend or refract at two focal points, causing objects to look blurry or distorted.
How is astigmatism diagnosed?
Dr. Matthews uses the latest techniques to diagnose astigmatism as part of his routine eye exams for children and adults. Common diagnostic procedures include:
- Vision tests
- Light refraction tests
- Taking cornea measurements
- Electronic mapping of the eye surface
When you receive a proper diagnosis, it’s possible to manage astigmatism with a variety of methods that restore clearer vision.
How is astigmatism treated?
Dr. Matthews may recommend you wear prescription eyeglasses that correct unnatural curves or contact lenses tailor-made to treat astigmatism.
He might also apply orthokeratology to fix vision disturbances by prescribing special night-time contact lenses that reshape the curve while you sleep, or surgical procedures to remove minute pieces of tissue from the cornea to reshape the lens and correct your vision.
To determine the best treatment method for your astigmatism, schedule yearly eye exams at Midway Optometry and work closely with Dr. Matthews to receive a proper diagnosis and follow-up appointments. To schedule your routine eye exam or to learn more about astigmatism assessments and treatment options, book your appointment online or call the office today.
