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For many of us, the colorful, twinkling lights of a Christmas tree or the endless stretch of red rush hour brake lights are just that – lights. But for those who live with astigmatism, lights like these don’t always twinkle or shine.
Astigmatism is the result of an irregularly shaped cornea or lens, where it becomes more oblong or egg-shaped than round. This relatively common eye condition leads to uneven light refraction and consequently, distorted or blurred vision at all distances. Astigmatism can occur in tandem with nearsightedness (excessive curvature of the cornea) or farsightedness (insufficient curvature of the cornea). It can also happen independently – even in patients with 20/20 vision.
What Causes Astigmatism?
While astigmatism is sometimes present at birth and simply related to the shape of your eye, it can also develop following an eye injury or eye disease. For some, the symptoms of this condition – eye strain, pain and fatigue, headaches, distorted vision, and difficulty seeing at night – have been present throughout their lives without ever being properly diagnosed. If you experience the hallmark ‘starbursts’ or ‘halos’ around bright lights, that can be another good indication of irregular light refraction.
Treating Your Astigmatism
Fortunately, astigmatism can be diagnosed by an optometrist during a comprehensive eye examination, and this condition is generally treatable with corrective lenses. While it can worsen over time, following simple eyecare guidelines such as not rubbing your eyes, using artificial tears to avoid dry eyes, and wearing prescribed lenses are great ways to help stabilize your condition. Left untreated, a single eye astigmatism (or one eye worse than the other) can result in additional complications such as a lazy eye. Increased eye fatigue, headaches, and squinting may be an indication your astigmatism is worsening; listen to your body and get in touch with your eye doctor if you notice any of these complications.
If you have been diagnosed with astigmatism, or feel you may be living with an undiagnosed condition, Performance Eyecare is here for you. Our large inventory of glasses and contact options are designed to help you see with peak clarity. Remember that while a change in vision is always a reason to visit your eye care specialist, the team at Performance Eyecare believes the best way to maintain optimal, healthy vision is through regular eye exams. Take a moment and reach out to your local office to schedule your annual, comprehensive eye exam and discuss treatment options that may be available – you’ll be glad you did!