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Do I Have an Astigmatism?

It’s common to hear the term astigmatism. Perhaps, your friend or a family member has been told that they have it or maybe you have it yourself. But what does that mean? Astigmatism is a common eye disorder affecting roughly 3 million Americans every year. It is not a serious or life-threatening condition. Learn more below about the signs and symptoms of astigmatism.

What is Astigmatism?

It is NOT an eye disease or health problem with the eye; it is just an issue that the eye has when it absorbs light. Most people are born with this defect, and it is typically not self-induced. In addition, there may be a genetic component as well.

Astigmatism is caused by an irregular curvature of the eye’s cornea or lens. The eye disorder occurs when the corneas are not circular but rather oblong-shaped. For the most part, Astigmatism causes light to pass through the eye and bend differently. All in all, light fails to come to a single focus on the retina to produce clear vision. As a result, images appear blurry and distorted at all distances.

Signs and Symptoms

AstigmatismThere are a few key signs that may lead you to a clear diagnosis from your eye doctor. These include:

  • Blurred vision
  • Areas of distorted vision
  • Eyestrain
  • Headaches
  • Squinting
  • Difficulty with night vision
  • Eye discomfort

Treatment Options

More often than not, Astigmatism presents itself early in life. And, in most instances, a thorough eye exam is all you need to diagnose a child or an adult. Subsequently, the condition is commonly treated with contact lenses, glasses, and refractive surgery (such as LASIK). An Optometrist can accurately assess the degree of your astigmatism and choose the right treatment method accordingly.

If you have questions about vision problems, contact Looking Glass Optical. Our team is here to answer all of your questions. Make an appointment today for a comprehensive eye exam.

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