Our eyes are delicate organs, and they require the balance of many parts to function properly. If any one of these is slightly off-balance, it can impact vision as a whole. Many conditions can affect one’s quality of vision. Our patients often ask us, “What is an astigmatism?” This is understandable given how common this condition truly is. In fact, roughly one-third of Americans may suffer from some form of it. Let’s take a closer look at the definition as well as the causes of astigmatism. 

Astigmatism 

An astigmatism is simply an anomaly in the way that the eye develops. Eyes naturally have a curved shape to them, but sometimes they form unevenly. An astigmatism occurs when there is a slight imbalance in an eye’s curve. This can arise when either the cornea (the outside surface of the eye) or the lens (inside the cornea) has a defect in its shape. As a result, the curve of one will be slightly different than the other, affecting something called refraction. Refraction is how our eyes bend and focus light onto the retina. Astigmatism often causes problems with how light is perceived due to a lack of precise focus. It may lead to a variety of different symptoms at all ages. This condition can also vary over time as the eye’s curve changes. 

Causes of Astigmatism 

There are many causes of astigmatism worth detailing. You may wonder what could cause part of an eye’s surface to become misshapen. In many cases, this condition is present from birth. Patients often live with it throughout their entire lives. This may make it difficult to diagnose without consulting an optometrist. After all, it’s hard to know that you have a vision problem if it has always been that way.

However, there are a few other common causes of astigmatism. It can occur from a disease or injury that directly affects the eye. It may sometimes arise after eye surgery. Although, these causes are fairly rare in nature. Fortunately, you don’t have to worry about developing this condition without reason. While reading in low light or sitting too close to a screen aren’t good ideas, they aren’t causes of astigmatism. 

Symptoms of Astigmatism 

Astigmatism is a common refractive error, like near- and farsightedness. There are a number of symptoms of this condition. These include blurred vision, frequent eyestrain, and difficulty seeing at night. Fatigue may sometimes occur given the constant effort needed to refocus one’s vision. Also, if you find yourself squinting often or suffering from headaches, it’s possible that you may have astigmatism.

The best way to avoid these issues at any age is by scheduling regular eye exams. An optometrist will monitor your eyes for diseases or injuries that may cause this condition. Make an appointment if you have any concerns, or if your symptoms worsen over time. However, diagnosing astigmatism in children can sometimes be tough. They may not notice minor symptoms, especially if they’re used to them. If they mention any of these symptoms, or if you notice a change in behavior, discuss this with a physician. 

How to Treat Astigmatism 

Fortunately, it’s usually easy to treat astigmatism. The treatment is almost always the prescription of glasses or contact lenses. These corrective measures work to precisely improve one’s clarity of vision. In most cases, they can alleviate many symptoms of astigmatism. In some situations, patients may have surgery to correct the shape of their cornea. However, this is almost never needed.

Good eyesight is important for overall health and wellbeing. It’s often a major factor in one’s quality of life. If you or a loved one have any of these symptoms, we encourage you to contact us for more information. We’d be happy to discuss your unique needs whenever is most convenient.