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What is it?

Astigmatism takes place when the front region of the eye, the cornea, isn’t a regular harmonious circular shape. Instead, its mold is sort of like that of the back of a spoon – longer in one direction than another. Because the cornea is an ragged form, the eye can’t focus light passing through it sharply on to the back of the eye or retina. So vision is blurred at all distances.

What causes it?

As the eye originates in the womb, assorted factors control the anatomy of it, including transmitted genetic factors and environment. It would seem that these elements can cause an ragged curve of the cornea, although the exact cause isn’t known.

Who’s affected?

Actually most of us have an astigmatism – but generally it is very mild

Astigmatism is not unusual and is commonly present from birth. Most people have a slender astigmatism – it’s exceptional for the cornea to have formed in a dead symmetrical way. But in mild cases, the eye can adjust to focus light adequately.

In many examples of astigmatism the person also has different visual troubles such as short-sightedness or long-sightedness. Two-thirds of people with short-sightedness also have significant astigmatism.

What are the symptoms?

In severe astigmatism, vision is smudged or distorted whether the individual is reading close up or looking further into the distance.

In milder cases the person may complain their vision is obscured at certain distances, that they’ve tired or dry eyes, that it’s a struggle to focus or read, or that they’ve headaches, especially when trying to focus.
How is it diagnosed?

Astigmatism should be diagnosed by a specified optometrist, ophthalmic surgeon or eye specialist. A good optometric examination should be done to assess the degree and extent of the problem.

Small children, who mightn’t be able to answer the optometrist’s enquiries about what they can see, can be assessed using a test called retinoscopy that involves reflected light.

What’s the treatment?

In most cases, you can adequately deal with an astigmatism by using properly prescribed specs or contact lenses.

If the astigmatism isn’t too bad, it may not require treatment at all – unless of course it is critical to your work that you have perfect vision or that you are likely to tire, in which case a mild astigmatism may become more severe.

There are instances when you will be able to surgically correct your astigmatism using a technique termed refractive surgery.

Some may choose laser surgery. If you are considering this form of therapy, ensure that you speak to your surgeon about the good and bad points before you make your decision.