Astigmatism

Astigmatism is a common vision condition that causes blurry vision due to a change in the shape of your eye lens. An irregular eye lens prevents the light from focusing properly on your retina, leading to visual changes.

If you have astigmatism, you may also have other visual issues, such as nearsightedness or farsightedness.

Astigmatism may develop as you get older or result following eye surgery. A rare condition called keratoconus, which causes a thinning of your cornea, may also lead to astigmatism.

In some people, astigmatism can be mild and not affect vision.

The doctors at Envy Eye Care can assess you for astigmatism during your comprehensive eye exam and determine the proper prescription to produce clear vision. A complete eye exam involves a series of tests to check your eye health and a refraction, which determines how your eyes bend light.

Common signs and symptoms of astigmatism include:
• Squinting
• Blurred or distorted vision at all distances
• Poor night vision
• Double vision in one or both eyes
• Eyestrain
• Headaches

Astigmatism has three primary categories:

• Myopic astigmatism - Nearsightedness (myopia + astigmatism)
• Hyperopic astigmatism - Farsightedness (hyperopia + astigmatism)
• Mixed astigmatism - Near and farsighted (astigmatism is the primary refractive error)

The common types of astigmatism include:

Regular astigmatism
Regular astigmatism occurs when the surface of the eye is not entirely round. Most of the time, the steepest and flattest areas of the cornea are 90 degrees apart, or perpendicular to each other.

Irregular astigmatism
Irregular astigmatism is when the cornea aren’t perpendicular. Injuries or scarring also may produce irregular astigmatism in the cornea. Other causes include keratoconus, a long-term thinning of the cornea, and some forms of eye surgery.

Corneal and lenticular astigmatism
Though corneal astigmatism is most common, some people have the lenticular variety — astigmatism occurs in the intraocular lens as opposed to in the cornea. 

Call 469.490.ENVY (3689) or schedule an appointment online with Envy Eye Care today if you have concerns about your vision and need to be evaluated for astigmatism.

Everybody’s vision is different, which means every form of astigmatism has a unique impact. The doctors at Envy Eye Care are a contact lens specialist, and you may find you have clearer vision with contacts than with eyeglasses. Your doctor will review all available treatment options with the goal of developing clear, comfortable and efficient vision for you.

Eyeglasses
Eyeglasses are made with prescriptive lenses that help compensate for the uneven shape of your eye. The lenses make the light bend into your eye properly. Eyeglasses can also correct for other refractive errors, such as nearsightedness or farsightedness.

Contact lenses
Contact lenses can correct most astigmatism. They are available in a variety of types and styles, including toric, gas permeable and hybrid.

Orthokeratology may also be able to reshape the eyes using a series of hard contact lenses. The doctors at Envy Eye Care will be able to determine if you are an eligible candidate for this treatment.

Laser surgery
Laser surgery is also an option for people with astigmatism. The doctors at Envy Eye Care can co-manage your astigmatism with an eye surgeon if you plan on having corrective eye surgery.

If left untreated, astigmatism may cause eyestrain, headaches, and blurry vision. If you have astigmatism, you may not see objects in the distance or near without some form of distortion.