Astigmatism

Do you have trouble focusing on objects both close and faraway? Perhaps you find yourself straining frequently to clearly see objects, or maybe you have trouble seeing at night. If so, you may be struggling with astigmatism. This common condition can easily be diagnosed and treated by our team of eye care specialists for an improvement in your day-to-day life.

What is Astigmatism?

Astigmatism is a common abnormality in the curvature of the eye that results in blurred vision of both near and distant objects. This condition occurs when either the cornea or the lens has mismatches curves. Instead of having one curve, the surface is shaped like an egg, causing blurred vision.

Common Symptoms of Astigmatism Include:

·        Distorted or blurred vision.

·        Eyestrain.

·        Headaches.

·        Problems with night vision.

·        Squinting.

What Causes Astigmatism?

Your eye contains two structures with curved surfaces that bend light onto the retina, making images. These structures include the cornea and the lens. In a typical eye, each of these elements has a round curve, like the surface of a marble. A cornea and lens with this curvature bends all incoming light equally to make a focused image on the retina. If the cornea or lens is egg-shaped with mismatches curves, light rays are not able to bend the same, which forms two different images. These two images then overlap or combine, causing blurred vision.

Treatment Options for Astigmatism

In order to properly diagnose and treat astigmatism, an eye exam is required. The main goal of astigmatism treatment is to improve the clarity of vision and the comfort of the eye. Treatment options include:

Corrective Lenses: Both eyeglasses and contact lenses can be used to correct uneven curvatures in the cornea and lens. Eyeglasses are made with lenses to help compensate for the uneven shape of the eye. They help to bend the light into the eye properly. Contact lenses can correct most astigmatism and are available in a variety of types and styles.

Refractive Surgery: This procedure is used to improve vision and reduces the need for contact lenses or eyeglasses. A special laser beam is used to reshape the curves of the cornea to correct the refractive error that causes astigmatism. There are many different forms of refractive surgery, including laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK), laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK), photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), Epi-LASIK, and small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE).

Candidates for Astigmatism Treatment

Patients with eye symptoms that hinder their ability to enjoy activities or interfere with their ability to perform normal everyday tasks can benefit from an eye exam at our office. Some children may not realize that they are living with blurry vision, so they will need to be screened for eye disease and have their vision tested to diagnose and treat their eyes. Contact our office today to schedule your eye appointment with one of our specialists.

Contact Us to Learn More

If you believe that you may have astigmatism and are interested in learning more about your treatment options, contact Eye Care Physicians of New Jersey today. Our team will be happy to schedule your initial appointment!