Blurry vision is a common refractive error in many people, and this condition is also known as astigmatism. Though this is common, you might still have a few unanswered questions regarding astigmatism. In this blog, we’ll review some of those questions to help point you toward some answers.
Contents
- 1 What is Astigmatism in the Eye?
- 2 What Causes Astigmatism?
- 3 What are the Signs of Astigmatism?
- 4 Is Astigmatism Genetic?
- 5 What Causes Astigmatism to Worsen?
- 6 Can Glasses Correct Astigmatism?
- 7 Can Contact Lenses Correct Astigmatism?
- 8 Can Laser Eye Surgery Correct Astigmatism?
- 9 Can Astigmatism Cause a Lazy Eye?
What is Astigmatism in the Eye?
Astigmatism is a refractive error or a vision problem that makes it hard to see. Astigmatism, in particular, causes blurry vision either at short or far distances.
What Causes Astigmatism?
Our eyes should usually be round. However, if the eye becomes more of a football or oval shape, any light can then focus on different points in your eye, causing blurry vision.
Astigmatism can occur for many reasons, such as:
- Contact Lenses: If worn too long or not appropriately fitted, the cornea will not receive the oxygen it needs, which can cause astigmatism.
- Infections: If you are suffering from an eye disease like pink eye, you could suffer from astigmatism.
- Eye Surgery: Cataract surgery can cause post-surgical astigmatism. Corneal surgery can also change the shape of your cornea, worsening already existing astigmatism.
What are the Signs of Astigmatism?
Signs of astigmatism can often go undetected or be chalked up to mildly uncomfortable but general symptoms. Remain cautious of the following signs:
- Blurred vision
- Eye strain
- Headaches
- Fatigue
Is Astigmatism Genetic?
Astigmatism can be inherited from your parents, but this is not always the case.
What Causes Astigmatism to Worsen?
- Aging can worsen astigmatism. As we age, our eyes change shape, causing the condition.
- Eye injuries can cause damage to your eye if not treated promptly.
- A rare eye condition known as Keratoconus can thin out your cornea and lead to astigmatism.
Can Glasses Correct Astigmatism?
Yes, depending on their severity, lower or mild cases can be corrected with eyeglasses, with either hard RGP or scleral lenses.
Can Contact Lenses Correct Astigmatism?
Yes, tonic or spherical contact lenses are designed to treat more substantial cases of astigmatism.
Can Laser Eye Surgery Correct Astigmatism?
Eye surgery, such as LASIK or others, can change the shape of your cornea depending on its severity and thus correct astigmatism.
Can Astigmatism Cause a Lazy Eye?
Yes, astigmatism can lead to a lazy eye (amblyopia) if not appropriately treated, particularly in children. This could occur if one eye has another refractive error stronger than the other, such as nearsightedness or farsightedness. Were any of these circumstances to occur, the brain can start to weaken visual signals in that eye, causing a lazy eye.
If you still have questions related to astigmatism, book an appointment with one of our optometrists.