Astigmatism is a condition characterized by a flaw in the shape of either the eye’s lens or the cornea—the curved dome-shaped enclosing the iris and pupil. Basically, the eye should be spherical shaped, like a basketball, but an astigmatic eye is football-shaped. This results in blurry, distorted vision, whether you are looking at objects close up or far away. Luckily, astigmatism treatment is available.

Causes of Astigmatism

The retina is a layer at the back of the eye containing light-sensitive cells. When light hits these, they trigger impulses via the optic nerve to the brain, creating a visual image. If the lens or cornea is not properly curved, light entering the eye can't evenly hit the retina. This results in a so-called refractive error and the fuzzy vision of astigmatism.

More people are born with some degree of astigmatism. The severity of the condition is measured by “diopters”: A non-astigmatic eye has 0 diopters, while mild astigmatism could consist of .05 to .75 diopters. Once the eye measures 1.5 or more diopters, astigmatism treatment is usually required.

Diagnosis & Astigmatism Treatment

It’s important to diagnose astigmatism as soon as possible. Kids who are affected by blurred vision may not realize why and can suffer in school because they are unable to see clearly in the classroom, resulting in educational setbacks. Straining to see can also lead to headaches.

Astigmatism can be easily diagnosed using a simple eye exam. Note that the condition is often coupled with nearsightedness or farsightedness. Glasses or contact lenses can simply be used to correct the curve of the eye and regain clear vision. People who don’t want to use vision correction aides may be eligible for LASIK treatment as an alternative.

For comprehensive eye exams in Lexington, KY, put your trust in Abel Klecker & Robbins. With more than 60 years of service to the community, they are known for their attentive and personalized patient care. Find out more about their services, from astigmatism treatment to prescription vision correction, online. To request an appointment, call (859) 269-6921.