Some Basic Information about Astigmatism
What is it?
Astigmatism happens when the anterior region of the eye, known as cornea, isn’t a uniform symmetric circular shape. Alternatively, its shape is sort of similar to that of the back of a spoon – longer in one direction than another. Due to the fact that the cornea is an crooked shape, the eye cannot focus light passing through it sharply on to the back of the eye or retina. So vision is hazy at all distances.
What causes it?
As the eye develops in the womb, various factors determine the shape of it, including inheritable genetic factors and surroundings. It turns out that these elements can lead to an uneven curvature 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 from birth. Most people have a unimportant astigmatism – it is exceptional for the cornea to have formed in a utterly symmetrical fashion. But in mild cases, the eye can adjust to focus light adequately.
In many examples of astigmatism the individual also has other visual 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 smudged 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 is 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 certified optometrist, ophthalmic surgeon or eye specialist. A thorough optometric examination should be done to assess the degree and extent of the problem.
Tiny children, who may not be able to deal with the optometrist’s interrogations 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, Using contact lenses or spectacles, which have been bespokely designed, you can sort out most cases of astigmatism.
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.
For some people another option is laser treatment. If you are considering this form of therapy, ensure that you speak to your surgeon about the good and bad points before you make your decision.
