What Is Astigmatism
July 12th, 2009
What is it?
Astigmatism comes about when the front end portion of the eye, known as cornea, is not a uniform harmonious round shape. Instead, its shape is quite like that of the back of a spoon – longer in one style than another. Because the cornea is an lumpy form, the eye can’t focus light passing through it sharply on to the back of the eye or retina. So vision is fuzzy at all distances.
What causes it?
As the eye originates in the womb, various components specify the anatomy of it, including inherited genetic factors and nurture. It turns out that these elements can cause an jagged curve of the cornea, although the exact cause isn’t known.
Who’s affected?
Actually most of us have an astigmatism – but generally it is very mild
Astigmatism is common and is commonly present when a individual is born. Most people have a slight astigmatism – it is exceptional for the cornea to have developed in a utterly symmetrical mode. But in mild cases, the eye can adjust to focus light adequately.
In many cases of astigmatism the individual also has other optical troubles such as short-sightedness or long-sightedness. Two-thirds of people with short-sightedness also have significant astigmatism.
What are the symptoms?
In severe astigmatism, vision is obscured or distorted whether the individual is reading close up or looking further into the distance.
In milder cases the person may complain their vision is obscured at certain distances, that they’ve tired or dry eyes, that it’s a struggle to focus or read, or that they’ve headaches, especially when trying to focus.
How is it diagnosed?
Astigmatism should be diagnosed by a qualified optometrist, ophthalmic surgeon or eye specialist. A full optometric examination should be done to assess the degree and extent of the problem.
Tiny children, who may not be able to respond to the optometrist’s queries about what they can see, can be assessed using a test called retinoscopy that involves reflected light.
What’s the treatment?
Most of the time, you can adequately deal with an astigmatism by using properly prescribed spectacles or contact lenses.
If the astigmatism isn’t too bad, it may not require treatment at all – unless of course it is critical to your work that you have perfect vision or that you are likely to tire, in which case a mild astigmatism may become more severe.
There are instances when you will be able to surgically correct your astigmatism using a technique termed refractive surgery.
Some may choose laser surgery. You should discuss the benefits and risks of this treatment with your surgeon before you go decide whether to have it.
