What is astigmatism and how does it arise, how is it treated?
Astigmatism is usually congenital, meaning a person experiences this condition from birth. However, sometimes trauma, eye surgery, or other eye problems can later cause astigmatism. The severity of astigmatism can vary and can be mild in some people and more pronounced in others.
What is Astigmatism?
Astigmatism is an eye disease that affects the eye’s ability to focus. Normally, the cornea (the transparent layer at the front of the eye) and lenses smoothly refract incoming light, creating a clear image on the retina (the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye). But in people with astigmatism, the cornea or lenses are irregularly shaped, refracting light incorrectly.
The basis of astigmatism lies in the irregularity of the cornea or lenses. Normally, the cornea should have a rounded shape. But in people with astigmatism, the cornea may have a flattened or rectangular shape. This causes the light to refract correctly on one axis and incorrectly on the other. This results in unclear, out-of-focus or distorted images.
The symptoms of astigmatism can vary from person to person and the symptoms can differ depending on its severity. These may include blurred or distorted vision, skewed or double vision, tired eyes, headaches, and difficulty focusing. Astigmatism can occur in one or both eyes.
Treatment of astigmatism is possible in most cases. Glasses or contact lenses are common methods of correcting astigmatism. These optical corrections help refract light correctly to produce a smooth image. In more severe cases, eye surgery options such as laser surgery may also be considered.
Types of astigmatism
Astigmatism is an eye disease in which the eye cannot focus properly. When the surface of the eye or cornea is irregularly shaped, light is refracted incorrectly and images may appear blurry or distorted. Astigmatism is a common vision problem that affects many people around the world. Symptoms of astigmatism can include blurred vision, double or skewed vision, tired eyes, headaches, and difficulty focusing.
Astigmatism is divided into two main types, regular astigmatism and irregular astigmatism. Each has different characteristics and causes.
Regular astigmatism
Regular astigmatism occurs when the cornea has a flattened or rectangular shape. This type of astigmatism refracts light irregularly along an axis where the cornea becomes flattened or rectangular. Due to an irregular shape of the cornea, images appear clear on one axis and blurry on the other. Regular astigmatism can cause you to have trouble focusing on distant or near objects.
Irregular astigmatism
Irregular astigmatism occurs when the cornea has an irregular and trapezoidal shape. This type of astigmatism can occur due to the irregular surface of the cornea or structural abnormalities in the eye. Irregular astigmatism is a more complex and rare condition compared to regular astigmatism. This type of astigmatism can usually be corrected with glasses or contact lenses.
Accurate diagnosis of astigmatism is important for determining appropriate treatment options. Optical correction, i.e. glasses or contact lenses, are the methods commonly used in the correction of astigmatism. The glasses are equipped with special astigmatic lenses, so that the image can be properly focused. Contact lenses correct astigmatism by correcting the surface of the eye. In more severe cases, laser surgery or other surgical procedures may also be considered.
What Causes Astigmatism?
Astigmatism is an eye disease that affects the eye’s ability to focus. Astigmatism occurs when the surface of the eye or cornea is irregularly curved or when there is a defect in the lenses. Astigmatism can cause images to look blurry or distorted. So, what are the causes of astigmatism?
Corneal malformation
The most common cause of astigmatism is an irregular shape of the cornea. Normally, the cornea has a rounded shape and refracts light smoothly, creating a clear image on the retina. However, when the cornea does not have a smooth surface, light is refracted incorrectly and images become blurry. An irregular corneal shape is usually congenital, but can sometimes develop later due to trauma, surgery, or other eye problems.
Lens disorders
In addition to the cornea, a defect in the lens of the eye can also cause astigmatism. Lenses help focus light by refracting the eye. An abnormality in the lenses can result in the light not being refracted correctly and not producing a clear image. Lens defects can usually occur as a result of congenital or progressive eye diseases, trauma, or surgical procedures.
Eye injury or surgery
Trauma to the cornea or eye tissue can contribute to the development of astigmatism. Surgical procedures, especially on the surface of the eye, can cause irregularities or scar tissue in the cornea. Astigmatism due to eye injury or surgery can cause an irregular shape of the cornea.
Genetic factors
Astigmatism may be associated with a genetic predisposition, which may be related to family history. Genetic factors from parents or other family members can cause the cornea or lens to develop improperly or deform. This can lead to astigmatism being a congenital condition.
What Are the Symptoms of Astigmatism?
Astigmatism is an eye disease that affects the eye’s ability to focus. People with astigmatism may experience blurry or distorted images due to an inability to focus properly. The symptoms of astigmatism can vary from person to person, but here are some common symptoms:
Blurry sight
One of the most common symptoms of astigmatism is the blurry or blurry appearance of objects. People with astigmatism have trouble focusing or focusing on objects. You may notice that objects both far and near appear blurry or uncut.
Trapezoidal or double vision
Astigmatism can cause problems with trapezoidal or double vision because it prevents the eyes from focusing properly. While one eye sees more clearly, the image in the other eye may be perceived as different or double. This can vary depending on the severity of the astigmatism.
Tired eyes
People with astigmatism can experience eye strain quickly as a result of prolonged effort to focus and adjust their eyes. It can manifest with symptoms such as fatigue, burning, stinging, itching or pain in the eyes. These symptoms may be more pronounced, especially after intense visual activities, such as staring at a computer screen for a long time or reading a book.
Headache
Astigmatism can lead to headaches due to the constant effort of the eyes to focus. Situations such as reading, writing, or working in front of a screen for extended periods of time can exacerbate the severity of headaches. The headache is usually felt on the forehead or around the eyes.
Difficulty focusing
People with astigmatism have difficulty focusing on objects. Focusing problems can be noticed on objects both far and near. Additional effort may be required to sharpen items.
How is astigmatism treated?
Glasses, contact lenses, or laser eye surgery may be preferred to treat astigmatism. While glasses and lenses help prevent astigmatism, laser surgery provides up to 95% full vision.
Contact lens
Patients with astigmatism who are uncomfortable wearing glasses may prefer contact lenses. Contact lenses are attached to the pupil. It should be removed before going to bed at night. Your hands should be extremely clean when you wear contact lenses. Even if it is difficult at first, it will be easy to put the contact lens on and take it off once you get used to it.
Glasses
It is possible to eliminate the distortions caused by astigmatism using eyeglass lenses. Wearing glasses does not decrease or increase the degree of astigmatism. It just helps you get a better view. It is one of the simplest methods.
laser operation
People who do not prefer glasses and contact lenses can prevent astigmatism by up to 95% if laser eye surgery. There is no 100% zero number guarantee after laser surgery. 95 out of 100 patients can see completely without contact lenses and glasses.
How does the eye see with astigmatism?
An astigmatized eye causes blurry vision both near and far. People with astigmatism can see much more clearly than near, while near vision is much blurrier. The front transparent layer of the eye is congenital defect.
What can astigmatism not see?
Astigmatism is caused by the deterioration of the transparent layer at the front of our eyes. People with astigmatism cannot see clearly both far and near. People with high astigmatism have serious vision problems. It is possible to see further in people with low vision.
How many degrees of astigmatism are required?
There are degrees of astigmatism between 0.25 and 4. In some cases, it can go above degree 4. It is not possible to need glasses between 0.25 and 1 degree. However, if the person has trouble seeing, they can use glasses.
What does astigmatism look like at night?
Astigmatists cannot see objects clearly at night. He looks broken and blurry. People with astigmatism may even see some objects double. With astigmatism, the light shines brighter on the eye.
Is it necessary to wear 0.50 astigmatism glasses?
A person with astigmatism of 0.50 does not need to wear glasses. If he is not comfortable in his daily life, wearing glasses is recommended. For some people, astigmatism is a minor condition, while for others it can be very disturbing.
Is astigmatism getting bigger?
Astigmatism has a condition such as growth. Astigmatism continues to grow with age. To stop it, glasses, surgery, contact lenses can be used. Astigmatism, which causes near and far blurry vision, can become dangerous with age.
At what age does astigmatism stop?
Astigmatism is not a very progressive eye disease. It progresses very slowly over long periods of time. When it comes to age, patients are better off wearing glasses. Astigmatism, which is seen as soon as it is born, may decrease slightly in the first 3 years.
Does astigmatism cause eye pain?
Astigmatism can cause problems such as eye pain, headaches, blurred vision, double vision, and pain around the eyes. If astigmatism, which is generally genetic, seriously bothers you, you should consult an ophthalmologist.