Busted! Everything you Need to Know About Astigmatism

Astigmatism is a condition in the human eye that causes blurred or distorted vision for near, distant, or both near and far objects (mixed Astigmatism). It is one of the most common types of refractive errors and is often found to be present in some people from birth. Eye injury could also cause Astigmatism if the cornea (the transparent outer layer in front of the eye) gets scared.

Now that we know what astigmatism is let us understand what leads to this condition. An ideal human eye is round in shape with a perfectly smooth curvature. This helps the eye to focus the light entering it perfectly on the retina. However, if there’s an irregularity in the round shape or curvature of the eye, the light entering the eye focuses either before or after the retina. This condition could lead to blurry or distorted vision.

Types of Astigmatism

Astigmatism can be classified under two categories, corneal astigmatism and lenticular astigmatism. Let us get to know more about these conditions in brief.

Corneal Astigmatism

As the name suggests, this type of astigmatism is caused due to irregular shape of the cornea. When the cornea’s shape is non-spherical or inconsistent, like an egg or a rugby ball, it affects the ability to see either far away or near objects. Corneal astigmatism is more common than lenticular astigmatism.

Lenticular Astigmatism

Unlike corneal astigmatism, in a person with astigmatism of this kind, the eye’s natural lens is irregular or distorted in shape. A regular or spherical cornea often accompanies the distorted lens in this case. Although this refractive error in the eyes is less common, it has a similar effect, that is, distorted or blurry vision for near or far or both objects.

Symptoms of Astigmatism

How do you know if you have astigmatism? Well, the primary symptom of astigmatism is a blurry or distorted vision at any distance. The patient may also suffer from eye strain, headaches, squinting, and difficulty driving at night. If you already wear contacts or eyeglasses for astigmatism, you may still face any of these issues.

These symptoms need to be checked in time if you have astigmatism or other eye-related issues. Therefore, it is recommended to get an eye check-up from an eye specialist without delaying or neglecting it for too long.

Astigmatism Diagnosis

Usually, the genetic structure is responsible for Astigmatism in human eyes and could be present in humans by birth. However, the condition could get better or worse with time, and the best way to monitor it is by getting your eyes checked annually.

A comprehensive eye examination helps ophthalmologists determine whether you have Astigmatism. These exams also reveal the severity of astigmatism in the eyes. Through these tests, you will know the severity of the nearsightedness and farsightedness in your eyes. Eye specialists prescribe the power of contact lenses or eyeglasses to correct your vision based on these test results.

Astigmatism Treatment Options

Astigmatism can be corrected in human eyes primarily by two methods:

1) Eyeglasses or Contact Lenses

Eyeglasses or contacts are the most commonly used methods for Astigmatism correction. According to the eye test results, you can use a pair of glasses or contacts to see better.

2) Refractive Surgery

With the advancement in technology, it is possible to treat refractive errors, such as astigmatism in the eyes, with the help of refractive procedures like LASIK. LASIK astigmatism surgery is quick, painless, accurate, and trusted by millions worldwide. LASIK procedures give you clear vision and freedom from eyeglasses or contacts.

If you wish to go for LASIK for astigmatism & to get freedom from eyeglasses or contacts, visit Delhi NCR’s, one of the most trustworthy centres for reliable & advanced refractive procedures, Planet LASIK. Book a free appointment today!