Understand Astigmatism Meaning, Symptoms and Treatments

Astigmatism is categorised as the most widespread eye conditions that may affect people irrespective of age. Astigmatism definition states it as a condition causing blurry vision and this might make tasks like reading a book or driving a car difficult. In this blog, you will be covering astigmatism meaning, its symptoms and causes, its different types, and potential astigmatism treatments.

What is Astigmatism?

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, astigmatism is a condition in which the cornea or lens of the eye is not round, and light is refracted unevenly, making vision hazy. Usually the cornea and lens are equally curved so that light can focus properly on the retina. However, in people with this condition, the cornea or lens looks like a football. This disrupts light from focusing correctly. Astigmatism meaning also states that it is a type of refractive error, like nearsightedness or farsightedness. Also, this issue can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or surgery.

Astigmatism Symptoms

Astigmatism symptoms can manifest in various ways, and recognising them is crucial for early diagnosis and treatment. The following are some common symptoms to look for:

1. Blurry Vision: One of the most common astigmatism symptoms are the blurring of vision at both near and far distances.
2. Eye Strain: Because the eye works to correct the uneven focus  which astigmatism causes, you may feel eye strain or discomfort, especially when reading or working on a computer for a long period of time.
3. Headaches: Another symptom is headaches, which result from the strain on the eyes.
4. Difficulty Seeing at Night: Those with this condition will notice that their vision gets worse when there is little light, which makes it difficult to drive at night.

Anyone who has one or more of these astigmatism symptoms should see a professional to find out if he or she has this condition and explore the treatment options.

Astigmatism Causes

Knowledge of astigmatism causes can assist in finding out how to deal with or treat the condition. There are several potential astigmatism causes, including:

1. Genetics: The most common cause is hereditary. Eye astigmatism may run in the family; if other family members, such as the parents or grandparents, have it, then a person is likely to have it too.
2. Eye Injury or Surgery: Occasionally, this eye condition may be caused by an eye injury or after an eye surgery. The occurrence of the injury or even the surgery may put pressure on the cornea or the lens and hence will alter their shape and vision.

Types of Astigmatism

There are two main types of astigmatism based on where the irregularity occurs. Understanding these types can help in determining the appropriate treatment options for managing the condition effectively. 

1. Corneal Astigmatism: This type is quite common and occurs when the cornea- the clear outer covering of the eyes – is irregularly shaped. It can affect vision at near, far, and intermediate distances.
2. Lenticular Astigmatism: This type develops when the lens inside the eye is irregular in shape. It can also cause blurring, and while not as common as corneal astigmatism, it can be problematic.

Both types of astigmatism distort the way light enters the eye, and therefore, the vision appears blurred.

Astigmatism Treatments

Astigmatism is a treatable condition, and there are various methods of correcting this vision problem. The treatment depends on the degree of the disease and the patient’s preference. Common astigmatism treatments include:

1. Glasses: Eyeglasses are one of the simplest and most efficient ways of treating astigmatism. Refractive errors can be corrected whereby light focuses on the retina, leading to proper vision.
2. Contact Lenses: This is a perfect solution for those people who do not like to wear glasses.. Specialised toric lenses  can help manage this condition, by correcting the irregular shape of the eye and curvature.
3. Laser Surgery: In more serious cases,  laser eye surgery like LASIK can permanently reshape the cornea by altering the curvature’s irregular shape. This is slightly more invasive than the previous methods, but it is a very effective long-term way of correcting vision.
4. Orthokeratology (Ortho-K): This non-surgical treatment involves wearing specially designed rigid contact lenses overnight to temporarily reshape the cornea. While the effects are not permanent, they can reduce the need for glasses or contacts during the day.

Conclusion

Hope you would now have a clear vision of astigmatism meaning. Summing up, astigmatism is a condition that cannot be prevented but can be controlled well through the right treatment. One should have periodic eye exams in order to identify changes in vision, and if one observes any of the astigmatism symptoms listed above, one should get in touch with an eye care specialist. Whether you choose glasses or contact lenses or if you prefer more advanced operations like lasers, there are plenty of options to help correct astigmatism and improve your quality of life.