What is
Astigmatism?
Astigmatism
is the most common vision problem where vision is blurred at all
distances. Like myopia and hyperopia, astigmatism is a refractive
error. Having astigmatism does not mean that you have a health
concern for your eyes; it simply causes light rays to focus not on a
single point, but on two or more focal points. One’s cornea that
does not have astigmatism is shaped like a basket ball where one with
astigmatism is shaped more like a football.
Astigmatism
Test
During one’s
routine eye exam, astigmatism will be detected along with other
refractive errors that are present. Your doctor will introduce a
number of lenses for you to look through until your vision is clear,
this is called retinoscopy. A manual procedure is also widely used to
capture your astigmatism axis with automated instruments.
Whether by
automated refraction or retinoscopy, your ophthalmologist or
optometrist will detect your astigmatism prior to issuing a
prescription or referring laser vision correction.
Symptoms
of Astigmatism
Although
these symptoms are not exclusive to astigmatism, Individuals with
astigmatism may experience vision that is blurry or distorted.
Astigmatism can also result in headaches and eyestrain. Many
experience a higher rate of squinting when astigmatism is present.
People of all
ages can be affected by this eye condition. Scheduling regular eye
exams allow the ophthalmologists to detect astigmatism early.
Astigmatism
Correction
There are
many methods to correct astigmatism, from eye glasses to laser vision
correction. Choosing the right treatment for you will depend on a
number of factors, including your lifestyle, medical history, and
degree of the refractive error. Technology has advanced in being able
to correct astigmatism through refractive correction and an Advanced
CustomVue laser vision correction created with wavescan technology is
the best eye surgery option when astigmatism is present. Advanced
CustomVue treatments are now able to treat challenging patients with
mixed astigmatism. Astigmatism
Correction is no longer only correctable with eyeglasses. It is
important while searching for a laser vision correction doctor to
choose one that offers the best eye surgery available when
astigmatism is present.
