Astigmatism is a condition in which the eye lens or cornea fails to perform functions normally due to either of their misshapen structure. This irregularity causes images to be read differently due to the altered direction in which light is filtered into the eye. This results in blurred vision or unclear sight were focusing on any object or scene produces images that lack definition and clarity. To learn more on the causes of this condition and the various symptoms that accompany its diagnosis along with treatments available today, the following list of information has been created for your benefit.
Causes
Amongst the many causes that have been recognized for astigmatism, a genetic disposition for the condition has been recognized as a leading one. It is more likely for you to have received the genes that develop this condition in your body either at birth or eventually through your growing years. Certain eye injuries, surgeries or diseases can also cause the condition to persist in your eyes.
Keratoconus is another disease that rarely causes astigmatism to occur alongside its own implications by impacting the curvature of your cornea. If not diagnosed at birth, the condition will surely manifest symptoms that can be diagnosed at later stages in life with the help of regular eye examinations.
Symptoms
There are many symptoms that can help you recognize if astigmatism affects your eyesight, one of which is blurred vision. As your lens becomes more conical in shape, the light waves absorbed by your eyes experience a change in the usual trajectory as they are more bent. This bend is caused by the unusual curvature that then creates an image that is blurry and unclear.
Due to this image formation, you are likely to squint your eyes and roll them often to gain a better look at the subject of interest. This can lead to eye strains and headaches along with difficulty while seeing during the night time. If you experience any mentioned symptom, it is advisable to have your eyes tested as the condition could progress further without the proper means of intervention.
Diagnosis
Before an appropriate treatment plan is decided for your convenience, the extent of the condition has to be aptly diagnosed which is possible by completing certain eye examinations at the eye clinic. Astigmatism usually develops with other conditions and can be diagnosed when a complete eye exam is performed by your ophthalmologist. A phoropter test is one in which different glass lenses are placed in front of your eyes to inspect the extent of visibility and clarity it offers to your normal vision.
A keratometer test checks on the curvature of your cornea by shining a circle of light on it through the designated equipment. An autorefractor device helps recognize which eye lens is best suited for your eyes by projecting the light on the eyes and observing the amount that is reflected back.
Treatments
Depending on the eye conditions and diseases that accompany your astigmatism, an appropriate treatment method can be recommended for your benefit. Your eye specialist will prescribe you a set of corrective contacts or glasses that can help allow for the light to be properly mediated into your eyes. Besides such temporary solutions, a permanent option to cure the eye condition is to use a laser surgery option like LASIK to correct the deformities and allow for normal 20/20 vision to persist.
To diagnose your condition today, meet with an eye doctor at the Ebsaar Eye Surgery Center where our team of professionals will handle your case with great care and expertise.