Astigmatism

Astigmatism means an irregular cornea or lens shape in your eye. Generally, with astigmatism, your cornea elongates to look similar to a football rather than a basketball (the normal healthy shape).

Astigmatism interferes with light focusing, which means you can’t focus light rays to one point. Multiple focal points lead to blurry vision at all distances. Astigmatism frequently occurs alongside myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness).

Genetics often plays a role in astigmatism. Sometimes, astigmatism develops as a result of eye trauma or eye disease as well.

You can’t “give” yourself astigmatism by reading with poor lighting conditions or sitting too close to the TV screen, as it involves a physical change within your eyes.

With very mild astigmatism, you might not have any obvious symptoms. But, with more pronounced astigmatism, you’re likely to experience issues that include:

• Blurry eyesight
• Certain areas of visual distortion
• Eye strain
• Headaches
• Frequent squinting
• Sore-feeling eyes

These symptoms may also occur with other eye conditions, so it’s important to schedule a comprehensive eye exam for yourself – or a pediatric eye exam for your child – right away to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment.

At Vision Corner, your provider treats astigmatism case by case, based on your symptoms and how it’s affecting your daily life. In most instances, astigmatism treatment is simple and easy with contact lenses or glasses.