Astigmatism

Astigmatism described a condition that causes blurry or distorted vision and is caused by a cornea that’s misshapen. In most eyes, the cornea (the clear covering over the iris and pupil) is spherical and even, and light that enters the eye through the cornea is refracted (bent) evenly. But in astigmatism, the cornea is elongated and shaped more like the back surface of a spoon, which means light entering the eye is distorted more in one direction instead of being evenly refracted. As a result, people with astigmatism have a vision that is always blurry, fuzzy or otherwise distorted. Although blurriness is always present, it can become worse with eye strain or fatigue.

Astigmatism can be diagnosed during a routine eye exam. If you’ve been experiencing symptoms associated with astigmatism, including any type of blurriness or other visual distortion, you should make an appointment with our office to be evaluated right away so you can get the treatment you need to enjoy clearer vision.

Astigmatism can be corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses. Some people who want to avoid the need for lenses may opt for refractive surgery, including LASIK (laser in situ keratomileusis) or PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) or other similar procedures, which work to reshape the cornea surface so it’s more regular. Most techniques use lasers and a topographical mapping technique to carefully map out the corneal surface for the most accurate results. Although refractive surgery can be very successful, there is always a risk of complications which can be higher in some people than in others. Before deciding on refractive surgery, it’s important to discuss all the potential risk factors so you can decide if it’s right for you.