Astigmatism is a type of REFRACTIVE ERROR caused by the irregularities in the shape of a person’s cornea. In this condition, the eye fails to focus the light equally on the retina leading to blurred or distorted vision. It can be present at the time of birth, or can develop gradually in life.
Astigmatism is a common eye condition which usually occurs with myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness) and can be easily diagnosed with a simple eye exam.
Astigmatism is a REFRACTIVE ERROR and is not an eye disease or eye health issue.
ASTIGMATISM SYMPTOMS
Astigmatism usually causes vision to be blurred or distorted to some degree at all distances. Some of its symptoms are eye strain, headaches, squinting and eye irritation.
CAUSES
Astigmatism is usually caused by an irregularly shaped cornea. Instead of the cornea having a symmetrically round shape (like a ball), it is shaped more like an egg, with one meridian being significantly more curved than the meridian perpendicular to it.
In some cases, astigmatism is caused by the distortion of shape of the lens inside the eye. This is called lenticular astigmatism, to differentiate it from the more common corneal astigmatism.
It’s important to schedule an eye exam for your child to avoid vision problems in school from uncorrected astigmatism.
CLASSIFICATION
There are three primary types of astigmatism:
- Myopic astigmatism. One or both principal meridians of the eye are nearsighted. (If both meridians are nearsighted, they are myopic in differing degree.)
- Hyperopic astigmatism. One or both principal meridians are farsighted. (If both are farsighted, they are hyperopic in differing degree.)
- Mixed astigmatism. One prinicipal meridian is nearsighted, and the other is farsighted.
Astigmatism is also classified as regular or irregular. In regular astigmatism, the principal meridians are 90 degrees apart (perpendicular to each other). In irregular astigmatism, the principal meridians are not perpendicular.
Most astigmatism is regular corneal astigmatism, which gives the front surface of the eye an oval shape.
Irregular astigmatism can result from an eye injury that has caused scarring on the cornea, from certain types of eye surgery or from keratoconus, a disease that causes a gradual thinning of the cornea.
CORRECTION OPTIONS
Astigmatism can usually be corrected with eyeglasses, contact lenses or refractive surgery.
Astigmatism should be treated as soon as possible. Once diagnosed, regular visits to an eye doctor are required as astigmatism can fluctuate over time, making it necessary for prescriptions to be modified.
