What Is Astigmatism?
Astigmatism is caused by an irregularity or deformity in the shape of the cornea or lens that causes light to be refracted improperly. Rather than presenting a regular curve like a sphere, the cornea or lens of an individual with astigmatism is irregularly shaped and may be elongated to form an ellipsoid. This can cause light to scatter or to focus in several different spots within the eye, causing significant impairment to vision. Astigmatism is generally divided into two categories. Lenticular astigmatism affects the lens of the eye; corneal astigmatism results from a deformation of the corneal curve.
What Can You Do About Astigmatism?
One of the most common forms of visual impairment, astigmatism is estimated to affect one in three people in the U.S. Individuals with nearsightedness or farsightedness may also have astigmatism. This condition can vary widely in severity:
- Some patients may experience little or no vision impairment from mild astigmatism.
- Patients with severe astigmatism may require a significant degree of correction to be able to see clearly.
Prescription eyeglasses and contacts can be used to correct astigmatism. Working with a physician in Houston who specializes in LASIK eye surgery can provide more permanent solutions to this issue and can allow you to see more clearly from the first moment you wake up until the wee hours of the night.
Astigmatism Symptoms
Mild cases of astigmatism may not cause any noticeable symptoms. For more severe conditions, however, early warning signs include some or all of the following astigmatism symptoms:
- Headaches
- Blurred vision
- Red eyes and other symptoms of eyestrain
- Sensitivity to light
Most cases of astigmatism are diagnosed during a routine eye examination. Your eye surgeon may also use specialized equipment to examine the inside of your eye and to measure the refraction of light on your corneas and lenses.
How Is Astigmatism Treated?
In the past, most cases of astigmatism required eyeglasses or contact lenses to correct the curvature of the cornea or lens. Today, LASIK surgery centers offer advanced treatments that restore the normal shape of corneas and lenses, allowing you to see more clearly and eliminating the need for glasses and contacts in most cases. These safe and effective surgical procedures can often be combined with other vision correction surgeries, allowing the clearest vision and the most practical solutions for patients.
Located in the Houston, TX area, Mattioli Vision Professionals offers a full range of laser eye surgery options to help you improve your appearance and your vision. We can correct astigmatism, farsightedness, nearsightedness and many other eye problems to provide you with a clear view of the world around you. By entrusting your vision to us, you can enjoy the benefits of excellent vision without the need for contact lenses or eyeglasses. Call us to set up your initial consultation. Mattioli Vision Professionals is ready to serve all your eye care needs.
