Our eyes are one of the most amazing parts of our body, but they are also prone to many issues due to their complexity. One of the most common issues people face is astigmatism. So, what causes astigmatism? How can they be treated? Below we answer those burning questions.
What Causes Astigmatism?
Astigmatism can have a variety of causes, but an irregularity in the cornea’s shape is the most common one. The cornea is the front of the eye, which is covered by a clear, dome-shaped surface. Irregularity in this shape can result in blurred vision because the cornea is responsible for focusing light as it enters the eye.
A condition known as refractive error, which develops when the eye fails to properly focus light, is another potential cause of astigmatism. This type of error can cause blurred vision, hazy eyesight, or seeing double.
Other types of refractive errors include nearsightedness and farsightedness.
- Nearsightedness is a condition where it’s harder to see distant objects. It often happens when the eyeball is too long, or when the cornea curves too much.
- Farsightedness is a condition where it’s harder to see close-up objects. It often happens when the eyeball is too short, or when the cornea doesn’t curve enough.
What Are Some of the Common Signs of Astigmatism?
While the symptoms of astigmatism differ from person to person, some of the most commonly reported ones include blurry, distorted, or fuzzy vision at all distances. They also include having difficulty seeing at night, eyestrain, squinting, eye irritation, and headaches.
How Can Astigmatism Be Treated?
Astigmatism can form over time or it may even just be present at birth, but in either case, it can be treated with the help of an optometrist. It’s common for optometrists to perform an eye exam first to understand the specific symptoms someone is experiencing as it can potentially reveal other underlying causes or issues.
Through an eye exam, they can find out what specific kind of lens can help treat astigmatism and prescribe glasses or contact lenses.
Astigmatism isn’t life-threatening, but it can be irritating to live with which is why it’s best to book an appointment with a local optometrist if you’re experiencing the aforementioned symptoms or your eyes are bothering you in other ways.