Explaining Astigmatism
What is it?
Astigmatism comes about when the anterior region of the eye, known as cornea, isn’t a uniform harmonious bulbous shape. Rather, its form is quite similar to that of the back of a spoon – longer in one direction than another. Because the cornea is an ragged form, the eye cannot focus light passing through it sharply on to the back of the eye or retina. So vision is obscure at all distances.
What causes it?
As the eye forms in the womb, diverse factors influence the anatomy of it, including ancestral genetic factors and environment. It would seem that these factors can lead to an irregular curve of the cornea, although the exact cause isn’t known.
Who’s affected?
Actually most of us have an astigmatism – but generally it is very mild
Astigmatism is common and is usually present when a person is born. Most people have a slight astigmatism – it’s uncommon for the cornea to have formed in a dead symmetrical style. But in mild cases, the eye can adjust to focus light adequately.
In many cases of astigmatism the person also has different optical problems such as short-sightedness or long-sightedness. Two-thirds of people with short-sightedness also have significant astigmatism.
What are the symptoms?
In severe astigmatism, vision is smudged or distorted whether the individual is reading close up or looking further into the distance.
In milder cases the person may complain their vision is fuzzy at certain distances, that they’ve tired or dry eyes, that it’s a struggle to focus or read, or that they’ve headaches, especially when trying to focus.
How is it diagnosed?
Astigmatism should be diagnosed by a specified optometrist, ophthalmic surgeon or eye specialist. A good optometric examination should be done to assess the degree and extent of the problem.
Teeny children, who may not be able to respond to the optometrist’s enquiries about what they can see, can be assessed using a test called retinoscopy that involves reflected light.
What’s the treatment?
In most cases, Using contact lenses or glasses, which have been bespokely designed, you can sort out most cases of astigmatism.
Milder astigmatism may not need treatment unless the individual is doing a job that puts intensive demands on the eyes, for example, computer work.
In some cases, astigmatism can be corrected by an operation called refractive surgery, which reshapes the cornea.
For some people another option is laser treatment. You should discuss the benefits and risks of this treatment with your surgeon before you go decide whether to have it.
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