Like nearsightedness and farsightedness, astigmatism is a refractive error affecting a significant portion of the world population. In fact, one in three people has this eye condition. Fortunately, it is highly manageable with several treatment options, such as eyeglasses and contact lenses, to enhance visual clarity and comfort.
Read on to learn more about how astigmatism is treated.
What Is Astigmatism?
Astigmatism is an eye condition caused by an uneven cornea or lens shape. This irregularity causes light to focus incorrectly, leading to blurry or distorted images. Because light rays do not meet at a single point on the retina, people with astigmatism experience vision problems. It can also occur with other refractive errors like nearsightedness (myopia) or farsightedness (hyperopia).
To diagnose astigmatism, an eye doctor will perform a comprehensive eye examination. It may include a refraction test and keratometry or corneal topography tests. These tests help specialists determine how severe the astigmatism is and decide on the best treatment. Regular eye exams are important for everyone, especially young children since undiagnosed astigmatism can interfere with learning and development.
How Is It Treated?
Eyeglasses
Eyeglasses are the most common treatment for astigmatism. They help correct the uneven shape of the cornea or lens, allowing light to focus correctly on the retina. Prescription glasses are a safe and easy way to manage astigmatism for people of all ages.
Contact Lenses
Contact lenses offer a wider field of view than glasses and correct most cases of astigmatism. Toric lenses stay stable in the eye and provide clearer vision. Some people prefer rigid gas-permeable lenses, which typically give sharper vision by maintaining their shape on the eye’s surface. Moreover, orthokeratology involves wearing hard contact lenses overnight to reshape the cornea and reduce astigmatism temporarily.
Refractive Surgery
Surgeries like LASIK or PRK can change the shape of the cornea to correct astigmatism permanently. In LASIK, a doctor creates a thin flap in the cornea and uses a laser to reshape the tissue underneath. PRK, on the other hand, removes the cornea’s outer layer before reshaping the tissue below. Doctors recommend this for people with thin corneas or other issues that make LASIK an unfit choice.
Specialized Lenses for Cataract Surgery
During cataract surgery, specialists can also address astigmatism. They can implant an intraocular lens (IOL) that corrects astigmatism. This option is helpful for individuals getting cataract surgery who also want to fix their astigmatism.
Astigmatism is a common and treatable eye condition. At Opti-Care, we offer personalized solutions based on your unique needs and lifestyle. We specialize in both astigmatism and dry eye treatments. Call us at (410) 795-8670 or complete our online form to schedule an appointment. We assist patients in Westminster, MD, and nearby communities.