Astigmatism affects the curve of the eye, specifically the lens. When one curve is round and the other is oval-shaped, you may start to experience blurred vision regardless of how near or far you are. This is a common condition, one that’s pretty easily treated though. If you’re wondering what the causes are, we’ll look at how it typically occurs and what you can do if you have one.
Slight Imperfections and Causes
Many people are born with astigmatisms, and it’s not always a cause for concern. A slight mismatch between the curves of your eye may not require any medical care at all. For some people, astigmatism is the result of surgery, disease, or injury to the eye. Squinting of any kind, whether it’s from sitting near a TV or reading in poor light, will not cause this disorder. It’s also possible that you can actually develop astigmatism from pressing too hard on your eyes frequently.
Can Astigmatism Occur with Vision Problems?
Yes. You might also experience either near- or farsightedness if you have astigmatism. With nearsightedness, your cornea is curved too much, while with farsightedness, your cornea is curved too little. If you have poor night vision, eyestrain, or headaches, these could be symptoms of astigmatism. Correcting this condition is usually done by wearing proper corrective eyewear.
Seeing a Doctor
It’s important to know that astigmatism can occur at any age. Misperceptions of different kinds of eye disorders can often cause people to dismiss astigmatism as a possibility. You should also know that there’s a wide degree of severity when it comes to this disorder. As long as you’re having regular eye checkups, your doctor will be able to tell you whether your astigmatism needs treatment. Usually, treatment comes in the form of custom eyewear but laser surgery may also be an option as well.
If you’re between eye checkups though and start noticing problems with your vision — enough that it’s causing interference in daily activities — it may be time to schedule an impromptu visit. This way, you can get timely updates about your eyes and determine the best course of treatment.