Astigmatism is an eye condition characterized by a “non-round” or oblong shaped cornea. Many doctors will describe it by saying your eye is shaped like a football instead of a basketball. This does not mean that when someone looks at your eye that it appears misshapen, but it can be seen when doctors measure the curvature of the cornea. Caused by various factors such as age, genetics, or even eye trauma, professional eye care is the only way to correct for astigmatism.
Many people are born with astigmatism, but eye injuries and diseases can also cause it. This eye condition can cause visual strain, blurred vision, shadow or ghosted vision and light sensitivity. Astigmatism is, however, very common, affecting 1 in 3 people.
Your eye care professional will scan your eyes for these signature symptoms:
- Blurred Vision (Both Near & Far)
- Difficulty Seeing in the Dark
- Shadows or Ghosting of Vision
- Frequent Eye Strain
- Headaches
Struggling with anxiety-inducing eye strain? Contact us at Northeast Ohio Eye Surgeons.
A Quick Explanation of Eye Meridians
Eye meridians are invisible lines that divide your eyes into sections. Each section of your eye has a different function, all coming together to give a better understanding of astigmatism.
Here’s a quick breakdown of how astigmatism affects your eyes’ meridians:
Regular Astigmatism
Regular astigmatism affects individuals with properly aligned eye meridians, typically corresponding to horizontal and vertical lines. It is commonly understood that regular astigmatism occurs due to an uneven curvature of the cornea, like the shape of an egg. This is the most common form of astigmatism and can be treated in a variety of ways such as glasses, contact lenses, or surgery like LASIK or cataract surgery.
Irregular Astigmatism
Irregular astigmatism affects those with irregular eye meridians. Eyes with meridians that don’t fall on the normal horizontal and vertical lines will need care for their irregular astigmatism. Similarly to regular astigmatism, vision will appear blurry or out of proportion but this type is harder to treat. It is often caused by diseases or trauma and is best treated with specialty contact lenses. Surgery options do not work well for those with irregular astigmatism.
Oblique Astigmatism
Oblique astigmatism occurs when the cornea’s meridians are angled. These meridians may be positioned unevenly, such as at 45 degrees. Because the meridian lines are at an odd angle, the eye struggles to focus properly. This astigmatism is also somewhat common and can often be treated in a variety of ways such as glasses, contact lenses, or surgery like LASIK or cataract surgery.
The Common Types of Astigmatism
Now that we’ve discussed how astigmatism along different eye meridians can impact your vision, let’s discuss the common types of astigmatism. As Northeast Ohio’s leading eye care center, we locate and treat every kind of astigmatism.
The common types of astigmatism we treat are:
1. Myopic Astigmatism
Myopic astigmatism occurs when light focuses on the front of the retina instead of dispersing around the eye. The determining factor of which myopic astigmatism variant you’re experiencing is the location of light.
Myopic astigmatism is split into two subsections:
- Simple Myopic Astigmatism: Occurs when incoming light hits two focal points: the correct point and the front of the retina. This can cause varied, uneven, and or unsettling vision.
- Compound Myopic Astigmatism: Occurs when light focuses on two separate points at the front of the retina. It can be hard to distinguish exactly where the two points are located without a professional retinal exam.
2. Hyperopic Astigmatism
Farsightedness occurs when light focuses behind the retina instead of on it. Hyperopic astigmatism is closely related to farsightedness, as both cause the eyes to struggle with up-close vision.
Like myopic astigmatism, hyperopic has two main variants:
- Simple Hyperopic Astigmatism: Simple hyperopic astigmatism happens when one focal point sits in the correct position while the other is behind the retina. One functions correctly, and the other causes the eyes to struggle with up-close vision.
- Compound Hyperopic Astigmatism: Compound here means that two focal points are struggling to yield perfect vision. They will both sit behind the retina in different locations.
3. Mixed Astigmatism
Mixed Astigmatism is a combination of farsightedness and nearsightedness. Your eyes will struggle to yield regular focus because focus is being pulled from both in front of and behind the retina.
How is Astigmatism Treated?
Astigmatism is extremely common, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a struggle for many. We can provide you with enough relief to see without blurry, disorienting, and or uneven vision.
Northeast Ohio Eye Surgeons offers solutions that work with your unique cost, time, and or lifestyle preferences. Talk with your doctor about which astigmatism treatment will work best for you.
Common astigmatism treatments we offer locally in Northeast Ohio:
- Glasses
- Contacts
- Speciality Contact Lenses
- PRK/LASIK
- Cataract Surgery
- With Femtosecond laser
Schedule Your Eye Exam With Us
If you’re looking for eye care professionals who understand your eyes, we’re here to help. For over 40 years, we’ve been helping Ohio residents live a clearer life. Astigmatism is easy to diagnose during an eye exam, and with multiple treatment options available, it’s even easier to gain sharper vision.
Want to hear more about what we do? Visit our blog for more information about common eye conditions, how to minimize eye deterioration, and more.
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