Astigmatism: Symptoms, Tests & Treatment

If you’ve dealt with distorted or blurry vision, you know how problematic it can be when your eyes aren’t working correctly. It can make tasks like driving or looking at a computer difficult. While different conditions can cause blurry vision, astigmatism’s defining symptom is blurred vision at any distance.

Astigmatism is a common condition in which there is a curvature in your eye’s cornea or lens, which can cause blurry vision or other vision problems. This can make driving at night or seeing close and far images difficult.

Fortunately, there is help available for astigmatism. By visiting an eye doctor, you can get a proper diagnosis, and they can assist you in determining the best course of treatment.

What Is Astigmatism and How Is It Diagnosed?

Astigmatism is a curvature or irregular shape of the eye’s cornea or lens that prevents light from focusing correctly. For many people with astigmatism, their cornea is shaped more like a football rather than having a round shape like people without astigmatism.

There are many tests that an eye care specialist, such as an Optometrist or Ophthalmologist, can give you to help diagnose this condition.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, some standard tests to diagnose astigmatism include:

Refraction Test: This test measures the amount of focused and bent light entering your eyes.
Visual Acuity Test: A test that checks your vision through symbols, letters, or numbers on a wall chart.
Slit Lamp Exam: A test in which a microscope with a bright light is shone into your eye so the eye care specialist can view the different parts of the eye.
Keratometry: A test that measures the curvature of your cornea.

These tests can help the eye care specialist diagnose astigmatism and other vision conditions. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, you can develop astigmatism from:

Genetics
After having eye surgery
Eye disease
An injury to the eye

Doctors are still uncertain why each person’s lens or cornea is shaped differently. Some people with astigmatism were born with the condition.

What Are the Symptoms of Astigmatism?

Astigmatism most often causes blurry vision. The American Optometric Association suggests that headaches and eye discomfort can also be symptoms of astigmatism.

If you experience near-sightedness or far-sightedness, this can also occur frequently with astigmatism. Squinting to see clearly and difficulty seeing at night are signs you could be dealing with astigmatism.

If you think you have astigmatism or need an eye exam, contacting an optometrist or eye care specialist near you may be helpful. They can help assess and treat vision conditions.

What Is the Treatment for Astigmatism?

There are various treatments available for astigmatism. Some people with mild cases of this condition may not need treatment. According to the Cleveland Clinic, astigmatism can’t be prevented since most people are born with it.

For others who need treatment, the National Eye Institute suggests that glasses and contacts are the most common treatment for astigmatism. The correct lenses can help you see better and more clearly. Many eyeglass prescriptions have cylindrical lenses that can help correct astigmatism.

Another treatment option for astigmatism is surgery. You can have laser surgery to help treat the condition. LASIK and other laser procedures work by reshaping your cornea, which adjusts how light travels through it. PRK is another procedure done with a laser that removes tissue from the inner and superficial layers of the cornea.

Another potential treatment option for astigmatism is orthokeratology. Orthokeratology is where you are fitted for rigid contact lenses that you wear for a specified period, like at night, to help reshape your cornea.

Overview

Blurry vision often occurs due to astigmatism, a curvature of your lens or cornea. You may also have difficulty seeing at night or seeing without squinting. Astigmatism has several treatment options.

You should consider seeing an eye care specialist to determine the right treatment option for you. It may be recommended that you try glasses, contacts, or even laser surgery if necessary.

For more information on astigmatism, consider visiting the National Eye Institute. While astigmatism can’t be prevented, you can manage the condition by visiting an eye doctor and learning more about the condition.