Do you sometimes have trouble seeing things that are close or far away? Do letters look blurry or broken? Or do you lose your vision when driving at night due to glare from headlights? These could be signs that you may have a condition called astigmatism. Don't worry, it's very common. Let's talk about it in more detail.
What is astigmatism? Simply put...
Simply put, astigmatism is when your eye is not exactly round like a ball, but rather more oblong like a rugby ball, or oval like the back of a spoon. Doctors also call this a refractive error . This is a very common, visible condition in the eyes. However, it can make your vision a little blurry.
Normally, a healthy eye is perfectly round. Therefore, the light rays entering the eye are focused exactly on one spot, that is, on the retina. That is when we see clearly. But when we have astigmatism, because the shape of the eye is different, the light rays entering do not focus on one spot, but on several spots. That is why we see things blurry.
If you want to know about this, see a doctor who will examine your eyes, an ophthalmologist. He can see if there are any changes in your eyes and how your vision is.
How does astigmatism affect your vision?
Think of it this way: the parts inside our eyes work like a relay team. When light enters the eye, it passes through them one by one and is finally sent to the brain.
1. Light first enters the transparent part of the eye, the cornea .
2. From there, this light is focused, passes through the lens, and falls on the retina at the back of the eye.
3. The retina converts this light into electrical signals and sends them to the brain via the optic nerve .
4. The brain is what creates the images we see from these signals.
Now, if you have astigmatism, the light that enters your eye is not bent properly, meaning it bends too much or not in the right way. Then the light can't focus on exactly one spot on the retina. What happens is that only part of what you're looking at is clear, and the rest is blurry. That's why things look blurry and sometimes like they're wrinkled . This can affect things that are close up as well as things that are far away.
Sometimes your eyes just feel tired, like they're trying too hard to keep looking clearly. This is called eye strain .
Are there types of astigmatism?
Yes, there are two main types of astigmatism:
1. Corneal astigmatism: This is the most common type. It occurs when the shape of the cornea, the front part of the eye, becomes irregular.
2. Lenticular astigmatism: This is when the shape of the lens inside the eye becomes irregular. Lenticular astigmatism can often occur with cataracts .
Some people may have both types together.
Who gets astigmatism?
Astigmatism is something that can happen to anyone . Some people are born with this condition. For others, it develops later in life, that is, as adults. It can get better or worse over time.
This is very common. Roughly speaking, one in three people has astigmatism. So this is not something that is unique to you.
What are the symptoms of Astigmatism?
Blurred vision is the main and most common symptom. It also makes it difficult to clearly see details such as letters on a menu in front of you, numbers on a bus board, or letters on a nameplate in the distance. Other symptoms include:
- Glare or halos around lights when looking at them.
- Look clearly at squinting . Just think, some people squint when watching TV or looking at something far away, that's how it is.
- Headache .
- Tiredness and constant sleepiness.
- Feeling eye strain .
What if young children have astigmatism?
Young children don't know or understand that they have a vision problem. They may think that everyone else sees the same way. Therefore, your child:
- If you constantly squint (squinting)
- If you rub or squint your eyes,
- If you say you always have a headache
- If you don't like to study or look at books (maybe because you can't see the letters)
Be sure to see an ophthalmologist and have your eyes checked.
What are the causes of astigmatism?
Astigmatism is often hereditary . That is, it is something that children inherit from their mother, father, or other family members. It can also be caused by excessive pressure on the cornea from the eyelashes.
Astigmatism is not usually caused by other diseases. However, it can be caused by certain conditions and problems. For example:
- Eye injuries .
- A condition called Keratoconus (in which the cornea thins and takes on a conical shape).
- Complications after eye surgery .
How do you find out if you have astigmatism?
An ophthalmologist can tell you for sure if you have this condition through an eye exam . He or she will take a good look at your eyes (including the inside). This can be done using several tests:
- Visual acuity test: This is a test to see how well you see. If you've ever been to an eye doctor and had them read some letters or symbols on the wall, this is the test they've done.
- Refraction test: This tests how much light is focused and bent when it enters the eye. The doctor will put in different lenses to see which type of lens allows you to see clearly.
- Keratometry: This measures the curvature of your cornea.
- Slit lamp exam: A slit lamp is a special microscope. The doctor shines a bright light into your eye. The doctor can then change the brightness and thickness of the light to see the different layers and parts of the eye (such as the cornea and lens).
How is astigmatism treated?
Most people with astigmatism need corrective lenses . Your eye doctor will prescribe either eyeglasses or contact lenses to help you see clearly. Using either of these will help you see clearly without blurring.
However, if your astigmatism is very mild (meaning it doesn't affect your vision much), you may not need glasses or contact lenses. Your doctor will look for changes in your eyes during your regular eye exams. Astigmatism can change and worsen over time, so you may not need glasses or contact lenses at first, but you may need them later.
Can astigmatism be completely cured?
Wearing glasses or contact lenses corrects your vision. But it doesn't change the shape of your eyes. That means that if you take off your glasses, your vision will be blurry again.
However, there are vision correction surgeries that can permanently correct this condition by changing the shape of the eye. Examples of these include:
- LASIK eye surgery
- Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK eye surgery)
These surgeries use laser beams to correct vision defects. A specially trained eye surgeon (ophthalmologist) performs these surgeries. These surgeries change the shape of the cornea so that light falls directly on the retina.
For people who have both cataracts and astigmatism, both can be treated at the same time as cataract surgery .
These surgeries reduce astigmatism and improve vision. If you are interested in vision correction surgery, talk to your eye doctor for more information.
What should someone with astigmatism expect?
If you have a small amount of astigmatism that doesn't affect your vision, you probably won't need any treatment. However, if you have significant astigmatism that makes it difficult to see clearly, there are many ways to treat it. Most people with astigmatism only need glasses or contact lenses. This can help you achieve good, clear vision.
Most people who have vision correction surgery permanently improve their vision. However, as they age, some people may need another surgery (enhancement procedure). This second surgery is done to correct changes in astigmatism that occur as the eye naturally changes shape with age.
Can Astigmatism be prevented?
Unfortunately, astigmatism cannot be prevented . Many people with astigmatism are born with it (i.e., it is inherited). For others, it develops as their eyes grow and change throughout their lives.
If you have astigmatism or another refractive error, there is a chance that your children will have it too. So it is a good idea to pay attention to your children's vision as well.
How often should you have your eyes checked?
By regularly checking your eyes and vision, an eye doctor can identify any problems early. How often you should have your eyes checked usually depends on your age.
- Children: Your child should have their eyes checked by a pediatrician at every well-child visit until they start school. After that, have an eye exam at least once a year or two .
- Adults under 40: Every five to ten years (but go earlier if you notice a change in your vision).
- Adults between 40 and 54 years of age: Every two to four years .
- Adults over 55 years of age: Every one to three years .
Important: If you wear glasses, contact lenses, or need another visual aid, you may need to have your eyes checked more often. Also, people with diabetes should have their eyes checked more often than those on this list, as diabetes can affect the eyes. It is best to ask your eye doctor how often you need to have your eyes checked.
When should you see an ophthalmologist?
If you notice any changes in your eyes – especially if your vision is gradually getting worse or blurry – see an eye doctor as soon as possible. Symptoms of astigmatism are usually worse at night, when it rains, or when looking at lights . If you feel like your vision is getting worse at such times, be sure to see a doctor.
What questions should you ask your eye doctor?
When we go to see a doctor, we sometimes forget what we want to ask. So, keep these questions in mind:
- What type of astigmatism do I have? (Corneal or Lenticular?)
- Will I need corrective lenses?
- Are glasses or contact lenses better for my eyes?
- Am I a good candidate for vision correction surgery?
- How often should I have my eyes checked?
Finally, things to remember (Take-Home Message)
So, astigmatism is a very common condition where your eye is not perfectly round, causing blurred vision. This blurred vision can be a bit annoying and can interfere with everyday activities (for example, driving at night, reading a book or newspaper, or seeing things from a distance).
But the good news is that for most people with astigmatism, glasses or contact lenses are enough to help them see clearly. So this is not something to be too concerned about. If you are interested in vision correction surgery, talk to your eye doctor in detail.
Remember: Young children may not understand that they have a vision problem. They think that's just how the world looks. If your child is constantly squinting, squinting, complaining about headaches, staring too close to the TV, or having trouble learning, it's important to see an eye doctor for an eye exam. Early detection of these conditions can be a big help for your child's future.
Take care of your eyes!
` Astigmatism, Astigmatism, Blurred vision, Eye shape, Refractive error, Cornea, Lens, Retina, Eye exam, Glasses, Contact lenses, Lasik surgery
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