Nearsightedness is the inability to see objects clearly at a distance, while farsightedness is the inability to see objects clearly up close. So, what is astigmatism? Let's learn about its causes, symptoms, and treatments.
What causes astigmatism?
Astigmatism is caused by an irregular shape or curvature of the cornea, such as an oval or elliptical shape. This misalignment of the cornea causes light rays to be refracted incorrectly, resulting in multiple focal points that do not fall on the retina. This can lead to blurry vision at both near and far distances, as well as double vision. Astigmatism can be present at birth or develop later in life, such as as a result of an eye injury, eye surgery, or certain eye diseases.
Symptoms of astigmatism
- Headaches, eye pain, eye fatigue, eye strain
- Strabismus
- Blurred vision at both near and far distances
- Double vision, distortion, or misalignment of images
- Squinting or tilting the head to see more clearly
- Seeing light scattered
Treatment for astigmatism
The easiest and safest way to treat astigmatism is to wear eyeglasses. Eyeglasses for people with astigmatism use cylindrical lenses to correct the misalignment and compensate for the refractive power, making vision clearer. People with astigmatism who also have nearsightedness will use concave cylindrical lenses, while those who also have farsightedness will use convex cylindrical lenses. However, if you don't like wearing eyeglasses, or they make you feel dizzy, you can wear contact lenses to correct astigmatism. Contact lenses for astigmatism are available in both soft and hard forms.
No matter if you choose to wear eyeglasses or contact lenses, be sure to consult with an eye care professional to find the right lenses for you. If you're not sure if you have astigmatism, you can have a BVAX Master measure your vision and find the right treatment. It's also important to have your vision checked regularly to replace your glasses lenses if your vision changes.
