Distortion of vision and blurriness are regular side effects of astigmatism and if you’ve ever experienced these yourself, you may be suffering from the condition to some degree. It is a common condition and luckily, it is easily detected and treated.
This guide will provide you with all the information you need to understand the condition. It will cover the symptoms of astigmatism, alongside how common the condition is and the different courses of treatment.
What is astigmatism?
Astigmatism is one of the most common causes of blurry vision. It is a condition that means your eye is not the typical spherical ‘football’ shape and is instead shaped more like a rugby ball. Light is focused at more than one place on the place, which is the light-sensitive layer at the back of your eye. This can cause blurriness and distort your vision.
Untreated astigmatism can result in symptoms such as headaches, eye strain, tiredness and having to squint to see clearly at all distances. If you suffer from any of the above symptoms, it is worth getting an eye test.
What are the causes?
Usually, people are born with astigmatism, however, it can develop later on in life as a result of trauma or after surgery to the eye. The condition is more common in premature or low-weight newborn babies and is likely linked to genetics. Astigmatism can also cause a lazy eye in young children.
Significant levels of astigmatism are often seen in those who suffer from keratoconus – a condition where the cornea is conical and gets progressively thinner. This can lead to more irregular focus and results in astigmatism developing.
How common is it?
Astigmatism is one of the most common eye conditions out there. A study of 11,000 spectacle wearers conducted in the UK showed that almost 50 percent are living with astigmatism to some degree.
Many people with astigmatism also reported having problems with driving at night and experiencing hazards at low light. It is also more commonly found alongside long or short-sighted prescriptions.
How can it be treated?
Luckily, astigmatism is easily treated in most cases and can be detected on routine eye tests by your optometrist. Depending on the specifics of your condition, you may be recommended to wear glasses or specialised astigmatism contact lenses to correct it. Only in the rarest and most severe cases will you need surgery.
Glasses are better suited for corneas that are curved in one direction and the lenses correct astigmatism by focusing light correctly on the retina. If your astigmatism is irregular and your cornea is curved in several ways, contact lenses are more suitable. This is typically the case when you have suffered an eye injury or keratoconus.
