Astigmatism: what is it?
Astigmatism is a common vision condition caused by an irregular curvature of the cornea or lens.
It results in blurred or distorted vision. In a normal eye, the cornea and lens are evenly curved, allowing light to focus on a single point on the retina.
In astigmatism, the cornea or lens is shaped more like a football than a basketball.
It causes light to focus on multiple points, leading to visual distortions.
The condition often manifests with symptoms such as blurry vision, eyestrain, headaches, difficulty seeing at night, and frequent squinting.
Astigmatism affects both near and far vision, and it often occurs with nearsightedness or farsightedness.
Night vision is also affected. Light at night appears like a halo or objects seem unclear.
If you have astigmatism, you can blame your parents because the causes are usually genetic. Other causes include eye injuries, diseases, or surgeries. Thankfully, reading in dim light or the excessive use of screens is not the primary cause.
If you have a family history, get your eyes checked often. Start when you are young so that you can take corrective action. Untreated astigmatism can lead to learning difficulties in children.
The best solution today is modern corrective measures. Eyeglasses or contact lenses are the most common solutions, compensating for the uneven curvature of the cornea or lens.
Orthokeratology, or Ortho-K, is another option, involving the use of specially designed rigid contact lenses that are worn overnight to temporarily reshape the cornea.
For those seeking a more permanent solution, laser eye surgeries like LASIK can correct the irregular curvature, providing a lasting improvement in vision.
Sight is one of those things for which modern science is amazing. From glasses and contact lenses to surgical intervention, modern science has significantly extended the quality of our lives.
By the way, the picture in this article has a simple test you can use to determine whether you have astigmatism at home.
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