Astigmatism Specialist

What is astigmatism?

Astigmatism occurs when the curve of the lens or cornea in an eye is irregular. The lens inside the eye provides focus, while the cornea is the outer surface of the eye. Together, the cornea and lens help focus light rays onto the retina at the back of the eye.

In ideal conditions, the cornea and lens curve like a smooth ball. However, with astigmatism, these surfaces have mismatched curves that disrupt the light rays entering the eye and cause refractive errors such that vision is affected.

Astigmatism can occur with other vision problems such as nearsightedness (myopia) or farsightedness (hyperopia).

What are the symptoms of astigmatism?

Common symptoms associated with astigmatism include:

• Headaches
• Eye strain or discomfort
• Poor night vision
• Blurry or distorted areas of vision
• Squinting to try and improve eyesight

Children with astigmatism often don’t realize their vision is blurry and display additional symptoms, such as disinterest in school, difficulty reading, or eye rubbing. Antelope Valley Optometric Center provides pediatric eye care to detect and mitigate problems such as astigmatism as early on as possible.

What causes astigmatism?

The exact cause of astigmatism isn’t known, but a family history increases the risk of developing the condition. Some people are born with astigmatism, and it is also possible to develop astigmatism after having eye disease, injury, or surgery.

Contrary to popular belief, sitting too close to the television, squinting, and reading in poor light do not lead to astigmatism.

How is astigmatism diagnosed and treated?

The experienced optometrists at Antelope Valley Optometric Center test for astigmatism during a comprehensive eye exam. They use several methods to evaluate patients’ vision during these visits, as well as examine the shape of their cornea and lens, including:

• Phoropter: determines how to shape a lens to improve vision
• Autorefractor: measures how light bounces and changes after entering the eye
• Keratometer: evaluates the curve of the cornea

In some cases, the optometrist might also recommend corneal topography to analyze the surface of the cornea in addition to its shape.

Based on this eye exam, the care team at Antelope Valley Optometric Center recommend the most effective treatment to correct your astigmatism. While these treatments usually include eyeglasses or contact lenses, they might also recommend refractive surgery options like LASIK.

To find solutions for astigmatism, call Antelope Valley Optometric Center or schedule an appointment online today.