Many people suffer from some sort of refractive error of the eyes. Nearsighted people have trouble seeing things in the distance, while farsighted people can’t make out details close to their faces. There is a third type of refractive error that affects vision at all ranges of distance: astigmatism.
All refractive errors are caused by some sort of irregularity in the shape of the eye. People who have astigmatism might have misshapen patches on their retinas that cause blurry vision. The distorted surface of their eyes causes light to reflect in front of or behind the retina instead of right on it. This can manifest in symptoms like blurry close and distance vision, or perceiving straight lines as wavy ones.
What causes astigmatism? It’s usually present from the time of birth, but some patients might develop the condition following an eye injury or infection. Irregularly-shaped eyes can also be the result of genetics; if your immediate family members have astigmatism, chances are higher than you will develop it, too.
Some of the symptoms of astigmatism include blurry vision, difficulty focusing, tired eyes, and frequent headaches due to eyestrain. Some people with astigmatism squint a lot as they try to bring objects into focus. While these symptoms might indicate astigmatism, only a thorough eye examination can produce an actual diagnosis.
Fortunately, once a diagnosis has been made, treatment is readily available. In the past, people with astigmatism were quite limited in their choice of corrective eyewear. Glasses were the most common solution, since many patients had trouble getting contact lenses to adhere correctly to their eyes. Now there are a number of contact lenses that work well for astigmatism. Glasses are still a popular choice for many people, and LASIK has also been a highly successful treatment--especially custom WaveFront LASIK which delivers a highly customized solution based on the shape of your eye.
Lens implants are a relatively new treatment for astigmatism. Doctors seem optimistic about the results. Consult your ophthalmologist to find out if you suffer from astigmatism, and to find a treatment option that’s right for you.
