According to the National Eye Institute, astigmatism occurs when your cornea or lens becomes more oval than round, making it difficult for light to focus correctly on your retina. Our optometrists at Classic Vision Care, Dr. Mital Patel, OD, and Dr. Sela Hothersall, OD, diagnose your astigmatism and fit you for the right lenses at our offices in Kennesaw and East Cobb / Marietta, Georgia.
Causes and symptoms of astigmatism
Astigmatism occurs when the cornea or the lens inside your eye is curved more in one direction than the other, so light focuses unevenly and your eyesight becomes blurry. It may be present from birth, occur later in life, or result from an eye injury.
Symptoms of astigmatism vary from person to person. Some people are even asymptomatic. Others may experience:
- Eye irritation
- Blurry vision
- Distorted vision
- Eyestrain
- Headaches
Our knowledgeable optometrists discuss your current symptoms and perform a comprehensive exam to diagnose your condition.
Diagnosing astigmatism
Dr. Patel and our team pinpoint astigmatism through a variety of tests. These may include:
Refraction
Using a lighted instrument known as a retinoscope, we watch how your eyes reflect light; then, with a phoropter, we place various lenses in front of your eyes to find the prescription that makes vision clear.
Keratometry
We measure the curvature of your cornea via a keratometer, an instrument that judges your degree of astigmatism, and/or corneal topography, which produces a detailed map of your eye’s surface.
Visual acuity
We decipher visual acuity by testing how far you can see. For instance, 20/40 means you can read a letter clearly at 20 feet that should be seen at 40. Normal acuity is 20/20.
Correcting astigmatism
We correct many cases of astigmatism with glasses or special contact lenses known as toric lenses; for higher or irregular astigmatism, rigid gas permeable or scleral lenses often give the sharpest vision. Our optometrists may also suggest orthokeratology, which uses gas-permeable rigid contact lenses to temporarily reshape your cornea while you sleep. Some adults choose refractive surgery with a qualified ophthalmologist for lifestyle reasons, and we can discuss whether you are a candidate.
Surgical options include:
Laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK). The surgeon creates a hinged flap within the cornea to resculpt its shape.
Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). The surgeon removes the protective cover, called the epithelium, so it grows back in the correct shape.
Laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK). Loosening this protective layer, the surgeon uses alcohol to reposition the epithelium.
Implantable lenses. The surgeon places a lens made from biocompatible material between your natural lens and iris to improve your vision.
Although we cannot prevent astigmatism, our knowledgeable optometrists often correct your vision without surgery. If you have any issues with your vision or simply wish to schedule a routine exam, contact our talented team at Classic Vision Care. Call us or book an appointment online today.
What has changed about astigmatism care since this was written?
Astigmatism is still corrected the same basic way, with glasses or contact lenses. What has changed is how many lens choices exist and how early we look for it. Here is the current guidance we follow at our Kennesaw and East Cobb offices.
Astigmatism can change over time. The shape of the cornea shifts as the eye grows and ages. Astigmatism may increase, decrease, or hold steady from one year to the next [1]. A yearly comprehensive eye exam keeps your astigmatism prescription current, whether you wear glasses, contacts, or both.
Children often do not notice astigmatism. A child with blurry vision may assume everyone sees that way. Untreated astigmatism in childhood can affect school, sports, and normal vision development [1]. Our children's eye exams check for astigmatism along with nearsightedness. When a child also has worsening nearsightedness, we discuss myopia control at the same visit.
Astigmatism symptoms go beyond blur. Squinting, headaches, eye strain, and trouble seeing at night are common signs [2]. Mild astigmatism may cause no symptoms at all, which is one more reason to keep regular eye exams [2].
Contact lens options for astigmatism have grown. Soft toric contact lenses now correct many types of astigmatism comfortably [3]. Rigid gas permeable lenses hold their shape on the cornea and can give sharper vision when astigmatism is higher or irregular [1][3]. For irregular corneas, including keratoconus, scleral lenses are another option. Our contact lens exams and fittings cover standard, toric, specialty, and scleral lenses at both offices. Surgery is still an option for some adults, but it is one choice among several, not the default for "serious" cases.
Glasses for astigmatism need careful fitting. Astigmatism lenses must sit in the right position in front of your eye. A frame that slides or tilts can bring back blur and eye strain. Each office has an optical showroom, and adjustments are always free. Stop by either location if your glasses have shifted.
Not sure if your blur is astigmatism? Only an eye exam can tell. Book a comprehensive eye exam in Kennesaw or East Cobb, and bring your current glasses or contact lenses so we can compare.
Related reading: contact lens exams and fittings, scleral lenses, children's eye exams, myopia control.
Sources
- American Academy of Ophthalmology, "What Is Astigmatism?"
- National Eye Institute, "Astigmatism" (last updated December 4, 2024)
- American Optometric Association, "Astigmatism."
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