Astigmatism Overview

Astigmatism is a common refractive error. It occurs when the front surface of your cornea has mismatched curves. This imperfection makes it difficult to see correctly. Fortunately, the professionals at the Eye Specialists Of Illinois can provide a few different treatment options to help you see correctly.

Who Is At Risk For Astigmatism?

There are several factors that increase your chances of developing astigmatism. These include:

• If someone in your family has astigmatism or keratoconus, your chances of having an astigmatism increase.
• If you had eye surgery, such as having a cataract removed, your risk increases.
• Corneal scarring or thinning of the cornea can cause astigmatism.
• Astigmatism often goes along with excessive nearsightedness or farsightedness.

What Are the Symptoms of Astigmatism?

Astigmatism causes several symptoms. Some people will experience just one and some will experience all of them. The severity of your symptoms would depend on the severity of the corneal curvature. The symptoms include:

• Blurry vision
• Distorted vision
• Needing to squint to see correctly
• Headaches
• Feeling lightheaded

How Is Astigmatism Diagnosed?

Astigmatism can be diagnosed during your annual eye exam. Your eye doctor will perform a visual acuity test to see how well you can see from a distance. If your distance vision is poor, your eye doctor will perform a refraction. During this part of the exam, your eye doctor will put different lenses in front of your eyes to determine which help you see the best. Finally, your eye doctor will perform a keratoscope. This test is designed to measure and detect the presence of a curvature on the surface of the cornea.

How Is Astigmatism Treated?

There are several treatment options available for astigmatism. These include:

• Eyeglasses: Eyeglasses are the most common treatment for astigmatism. If you go with another of the treatment options, you should still have eyeglasses as a backup.
• Contact lenses: Many people prefer contacts over glasses because they give you a more natural appearance. Many also prefer contact lenses because their vision can be obstructed by an eyeglass frame or dirty lenses. You cannot wear traditional soft lenses if you have astigmatism; therefore, your doctor can prescribe a toric lens. You should have a pair of eyeglasses as a backup.
• PRK: PRK is a laser surgical procedure used by an eye surgeon that reshapes the curves of the cornea.
• Lasik: Lasik is a laser surgical procedure that reshapes the corneal curves by removing corneal tissue.

Call Eye Specialists Of Illinois Today

If you are experiencing the symptoms of astigmatism, schedule an appointment with the Eye Specialists Of Illinois in Park Ridge. Our eye doctor can create a treatment plan to help you see correctly. To schedule an appointment, give us a call today.