How Astigmatism Affects Vision – What You Need to Know. This condition can impact vision at all distances and affect daily activities such as reading, driving, or using digital screens.
Astigmatism is a common refractive error that affects how light enters the eye, leading to blurred or distorted vision. Unlike near-sightedness or farsightedness, astigmatism occurs when the cornea or lens has an irregular shape. This condition can impact vision at all distances and affect daily activities such as reading, driving, or using digital screens.
What is Astigmatism?
Astigmatism occurs when the cornea (the clear front surface of the eye) or the lens inside the eye is not perfectly round. Instead of having a uniform curvature like a basketball, the cornea or lens has an irregular shape, resembling a football. This irregularity prevents light from focusing properly on the retina, leading to blurred or distorted vision.
Symptoms
• Blurred or distorted vision at all distances
• Eyestrain or discomfort
• Headaches
• Difficulty seeing at night
• Squinting to see more clearly
If left uncorrected, astigmatism can lead to increased eye fatigue and difficulties with daily tasks such as reading, working on a computer, or driving.
How Astigmatism Affects Vision
Astigmatism alters the way light enters the eye, resulting in multiple focal points instead of a single clear image. This distortion can make objects appear stretched, wavy, or shadowed. Here’s how it affects different aspects of vision:
• Blurred Vision: Since the light is not focused properly on the retina, objects at all distances may appear blurry. The severity of the blurriness depends on the degree of astigmatism.
• Distorted Images: Astigmatism can cause objects to look misshapen or elongated. Some people with astigmatism see ghosting or double images due to improper light refraction.
• Night Vision Problems: People with astigmatism often struggle with poor night vision. Lights may appear streaked, halos may form around bright objects, and glare from headlights can become bothersome.
• Increased Eye Fatigue: The eyes work harder to compensate for visual distortions, leading to strain, discomfort, and headaches. This is especially noticeable after prolonged screen use or reading.
Causes
Astigmatism can be present from birth or develop later in life. Some of the main causes include:
• Genetics: Many people inherit astigmatism from their parents.
• Eye Injuries or Surgery: Trauma to the eye or certain surgical procedures can change the cornea’s shape.
• Keratoconus: A progressive condition where the cornea becomes thin and cone-shaped, worsening astigmatism.
Diagnosis and Treatment
• Astigmatism is diagnosed through a comprehensive eye exam, including:
• Visual acuity tests
• Corneal topography (to measure corneal shape)
• Refraction tests
Treatment Options
Fortunately, astigmatism is manageable with several correction methods:
Eyeglasses: Prescription lenses correct the uneven curvature of the cornea.
Contact Lenses: Toric lenses are specifically designed for astigmatism to provide clear vision.
Refractive Surgery: Procedures such as LASIK or PRK reshape the cornea to correct astigmatism permanently.
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Dr Hareesh K V
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Abhishek Nethradhama
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Bengaluru -64
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