What Is Astigmatism REALLY Doing To Your Eyes?

Main Ideas

• Astigmatism is a focusing problem: In an eye without astigmatism, light ideally focuses at one point. With astigmatism, light focuses at multiple points, which can create blurred or distorted vision.
• Common effects: Vision may seem out of focus or stretched, with fuzziness around letters. Some people experience ghosting or double images. At night, lights may appear flattened or streaked.
• Most common type: Corneal astigmatism results from an irregular shape or warping of the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye. Eye doctors can map the cornea’s shape with a corneal topographer.
• Other type: Lenticular astigmatism comes from the eye’s internal lens. It is less common and may occur with age-related changes.
• Causes and changes: Astigmatism often runs in families. It can also result from eye disease or scarring. Small changes over time are common, but frequent prescription changes may warrant evaluation for keratoconus, a condition in which the cornea progressively thins and bulges. Eye rubbing is strongly associated with keratoconus, so avoiding it is advisable.
• Correction options:
  • Glasses: Correct most cases. Anti-reflective or anti-glare coatings may help reduce glare.
  • Contact lenses: Toric soft lenses correct many levels of astigmatism. Higher or more complex levels may require custom gas-permeable or scleral lenses.
  • Refractive surgery: LASIK and other procedures can correct some astigmatism, but suitability depends on individual factors and should be discussed with an eye doctor.
• Overall takeaway: Astigmatism is common and usually correctable. Significant or rapidly changing vision changes should be discussed with an eye-care professional.

Speaker

Dr. Joseph Allen explains astigmatism, its causes and symptoms, and options for correction.