Astigmatism

What is astigmatism? 
 
Astigmatism is a common eye condition in which you have difficulty seeing clearly at both near and far distances. People who are both near and far distances. People who are long-sighted (hyperopia) or short-sighted (myopia) often also have astigmatism, or astigmatism can occur by itself. People who have astigmatism can experience eyestrain and headaches, and may feel tired at the end of the day. 
 
What causes astigmatism? 
 
Astigmatism occurs due to the cornea or lens, the parts of the eye that are responsible for focusing light, having different curvature in one direction compared to the other. If the curve of the cornea or lens is not perfectly round but its shaped more like a football, stigmatism will result and the eye will not be able to focus light accurately onto the retina. This is called a refractive error. 
 
Will wearing glasses make my eyes worse? 
 
Wearing glasses or contact lenses to correct astigmatism will not weaken your eyes. 
 
Will contact lenses correct astigmatism? 
 
While prescription glasses are the primary choice of vision correction for astigmatism, contact lenses can also be used and are a great option for active adults and children. 
 
Will eating carrots stop astigmatism developing? 
 
A balanced and healthy diet is important for eye health just like general health, but eating lots of carrots is unlikely to stop astigmatism developing. 
 
Can astigmatism be cured? 
 
Properly prescribed glasses or contact lenses will make tasks much easier by improving how clearly you see and making it more comfortable for your eyes but astigmatism cannot be cured and is usually caused by something you inherit from your parents. 
 
Will I have to wear glasses? 
 
Your optometrist will tell you if you need to wear glasses full-time or part-time to help you see clearly. If you have mild astigmatism you may not need glasses at all. Otherwise, you may need glasses part-time or full-time when reading books, using computers, driving, going to the cinema and performing other tasks that require you to see fine detail clearly. 
How can I tell if I have astigmatism? 
 
People with astigmatism may see clearly when looking at objects and may not realise they need glasses. It is common for people with astigmatism to have difficulty seeing clearly at all distances and they may develop eyestrain and headaches. 
 
It is important to have an eye examination by an optometrist who will be able to test how ell you see by placing different lenses in front of your eyes. Using this information and other tests, the optometrist can tell if you have astigmatism and prescribe lenses that give you the clearest and most comfortable vision. 
 
How does astigmatism affect me? 
 
If you have mild astigmatism you may not notice any problems but in other cases your optometrist may prescribe glasses or contact lenses that will help enhance your vision. 
 
Prescription glasses are a good option of vision correction. They are considered a fashion statement and come in many shapes, sizes and colours. Contact lenses worn on the eyes are also a great option and may provide better vision, particularly if you have an active lifestyle. 
 
Our Optometrists can provide you with more information and help you select the treatment that meets all your eye care and lifestyle needs.