Astigmatism is one of the most prevalent vision conditions in the world. Astigmatism occurs with other vision conditions such as nearsightedness or farsightedness. If left untreated, astigmatism can make your vision blurred at all distances.
In today’s post, your local low vision specialist, Dr. Joel McGahen answers frequently asked questions about astigmatism.
It occurs if the front of your eye, or your cornea, is curved differently from top-to-bottom versus side-to-side. The irregular shape is caused by genetics, or pressure of the eyelids on the cornea, trauma, cornea scarring, or keratoconus. This makes light travel further which causes blurred vision.
The most common symptom of astigmatism is blurred vision at all distances. Other common symptoms include eye strain, headaches or fatigue.
Almost all people have astigmatism to a certain extent, but most people don’t have acute astigmatism that gets in the way of their eyesight. Only people with moderate to acute astigmatism will have to visit their eye doctor for treatment.
During a comprehensive eye check-up, your optometrist will assess if you have astigmatism. They can then recommend treatment procedures if they diagnose you have astigmatism.
The treatment for astigmatism depends on the severity of the case. Mild astigmatism can be treated with corrective lenses or contact lenses. Others choose to go with LASIK surgery to correct the shape of the cornea which is the root cause of astigmatism. Some patients choose orthokeratology or ortho-k treatments which use contact lenses that you wear at night. These contact lenses reform your eyes while you sleep. However, the best treatment method depends on what your doctor prescribes for you.
Do you need a new pair of contact lenses or a comprehensive check-up? Trust in the vision services of Dr. Joel McGahen! We’re your one-stop-shop for all vision and eyewear needs. We have been in the optometry business for over 30 years providing our patients with vision solutions, quality eyewear and excellent eye care. Call us at (717) 264-4012 or schedule an appointment via this link! We serve customers in the Chambersburg area and the rest of PA!