Astigmatism is a common eye issue characterized by a misshapen cornea. The football-shaped cornea causes the eye to take in light at a different angle. This makes vision blurry and distorts lights. But this is nothing to be worried about.
Astigmatism treatments are available with the guidance of a trusted eye doctor. With simple testing and corrective lenses, you can achieve clear vision.
What is Astigmatism?
Astigmatism is a refractive error where there is an irregular curvature of the cornea. Rather than being spherical, the cornea is more of an oval shape. Because of this, the eye refracts light differently; light bends as it enters the eye and blurs vision.
Astigmatism does not have a single cause. In fact, astigmatism is most commonly present at birth and can be genetic. Eye injuries, infections, and certain diseases can also cause the cornea to become misshapen. Astigmatism is also common in those experiencing nearsightedness or farsightedness.
Common vision problems associated are:
- Blurry vision
- Astigmatism lights (light appearing distorted, like starbursts or smudges)
- Difficulty seeing at night
- Squinting to see clearly
- Eye strain
How to Diagnose Astigmatism
Astigmatism can be diagnosed during a routine, comprehensive eye exam. During your exam, our optometrist in Pembroke Pines will conduct a series of tests. We’ll use these to determine how you see up close, far away, and in different lighting conditions. By testing the eyes separately, we can see if it is one or both eyes with astigmatism.
An astigmatism test consists of several diagnostic tools, including:
- Visual acuity test: Reading letters and numbers from a distance, one eye at a time, then both together
- Refraction test: Looking through different lenses to see which ones help you see the clearest
- Keratometry: Measures the curvature of your cornea
- Slit-lamp test: Looking straight ahead, a bright light allows our doctor to see the eye structure
- Autorefractor: Estimates your prescription by measuring how your retina reflects light
Can Astigmatism Be Corrected?
Astigmatism can be corrected with the help of an eye care professional. Eyeglasses or contact lenses are the most common treatment options for astigmatism. Refractive surgery using lasers is available to some patients.
Glasses tend to be the superior option in treating astigmatism. This is because the prescription is fixed for consistent correction, leading to clearer vision all day.
How to Fix Astigmatism with Glasses
Glasses for astigmatism use what are known as toric lenses. These lenses have multiple focusing powers. The variations create an even field of vision in alignment with the irregular cornea shape.
Varying powers in a single lens counteract how the light bends to the astigmatism. Because glasses stay in the same position on the face, the location of the powers doesn’t shift throughout the day.
Additionally, having various prescription powers in your lenses makes the fit of your frames all the more important. A professional eyewear fitting ensures the meridians are sitting as they should in relation to your eye. This maximizes the impact of the toric lenses. Over time, astigmatism can be reduced entirely or to the point where it is not noticeably affecting vision.
Understanding Your Toric Lens Prescription
When you receive your glasses prescription for astigmatism, you will see a few extra letters. These are indicators of the severity of your astigmatism.
- CYL: This stands for cylinder. It shows how much correction is needed in the lens. Under 1.00 diopter is considered a mild astigmatism. Over 2.00 diopters is considered severe and is very noticeable.
- Axis: This denotes the angle of the cylinder. It is measured from 0 to 180 degrees. Some people have astigmatism where their cornea looks like a vertical football (top-to-bottom). Others have horizontal astigmatism (side-to-side).
Do You Need Glasses for Astigmatism?
When you see our optometrist in Pembroke Pines, you’ll undergo a series of vision tests to determine the severity of your astigmatism. From assessing the shape of your eye structure to examining your vision in different lighting conditions, we fit you with the proper corrective lenses for astigmatism. Request an appointment today.
