Astigmatism Treatment: Effective Approaches to Correct Your Vision

Understand astigmatism diagnosis, explore effective astigmatism treatment options including Ortho K, and maintain clear vision with experienced eye care.

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Astigmatism Treatment: Effective Approaches to Correct Your Vision Optometrist

Astigmatism is very common and is the result of an irregular shape or curvature of a person’s cornea or lens. The cornea is the clear part that covers the surface of the eye and contributes greatly to the visual system. If a person has an astigmatism, it means his eye is not perfectly round, but rather it is more oval shaped. This affects how light focuses on the retina, which is the light sensitive layer at the back of the eye. If you are not seeing clearly or you’re experiencing blurry vision, please schedule an eye exam with your eye doctor who can diagnose and treat an astigmatism.

Understanding Astigmatism Diagnosis

Astigmatism is not a serious condition and it is actually quite common so our eye doctor will let you know if you have it. Checking for astigmatism is an integral part of the routine eye exam. It’s helpful to know if you have an astigmatism because once our eye doctor diagnoses it, it can easily be corrected by adding a special correction called the cylinder into the patient’s prescription for glasses or contact lenses. And then a more suitable prescription can be given to you which will allow you to see more clearly, as an uncorrected astigmatism causes blurry vision.

Our eye care professional will check your visual acuity and will do refraction which is the standard method used to find a person’s correct optical correction prescribed in the glasses or contact lenses. We may also use devices such as a keratometer or a corneal topographer in order to measure the curvature of your cornea. Corneal topography is especially useful when fitting contact lenses on a patient.

The Different Astigmatism Treatments

There are several astigmatism treatments available, and the best one for you depends on the severity of your astigmatism, your lifestyle, and your personal preferences.

Glasses and Contact Lenses for Astigmatism

Prescription glasses are the most common astigmatism treatment. They provide a simple, non-invasive way to correct vision. Similarly, contact lenses for astigmatism, known as toric lenses, are an excellent option. They are specially designed to correct the uneven curvature causing your astigmatism.

At Amplify EyeCare, we offer a wide variety of glasses and contact lenses suitable for different lifestyle needs. With the guidance of our skilled eye care professionals, we ensure you get the best fit and comfort.

Ortho K for Astigmatism

Orthokeratology, commonly known as Ortho K, is a non-surgical procedure that involves the use of specially designed gas-permeable contact lenses that you wear overnight. These lenses reshape your cornea while you sleep, allowing you to have clear vision during the day without the need for glasses or contact lenses.

Ortho K for astigmatism is gaining popularity due to its effectiveness and convenience, especially among people who are not suitable candidates for surgery or those who find glasses and contact lenses inconvenient.

Laser and Other Refractive Surgeries

Laser surgeries like LASIK and PRK reshape the cornea, correct the irregularity, and improve vision. They are considered when astigmatism is moderate to high, or when the patient prefers a permanent solution.

Before recommending surgery, we thoroughly assess your eyes and overall health. It's crucial to understand that while refractive surgeries have high success rates, they also carry potential risks and complications.

Learn more about the treatment options for astigmatism here.

When to Consult an Eye Care Professional

If you experience blurred vision, eyestrain, headaches, or difficulty seeing at night, it might indicate astigmatism. Do not hesitate to reach out to an eye care professional for a comprehensive eye examination. Early detection and timely treatment of astigmatism can prevent it from affecting your quality of life. Remember, regular eye exams are vital to maintain good eye health and early detection of any potential issues.

Whether you're considering Ortho K for astigmatism, contact lenses for astigmatism, or exploring surgical options, our expert guidance can help you make an informed decision. We strive to deliver the highest standard of care and ensure our patients have the best vision possible.

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Experience World-Class Optometry Care with an Amplify EyeCare Doctor Near You

Amplify EyeCare is a team of a passionate and experienced optometrists practicing eye care at the cutting edge of technology and vision science. We are growing with new locations coming across the US.

Visit a Routine Eye Care vision clinic at an Amplify EyeCare practice near you:

Amplify EyeCare Santa Clarita in Santa Clarita, California
Amplify EyeCare of Greater Long Beach in Bellflower, California
Amplify EyeCare Chattanooga in Hixson, Tennessee
American Family Vision Clinic in Olympia, Washington

Common Questions

What are symptoms of astigmatism?

Some people won’t experience any symptoms, while others could have any of the following: Blurry, distorted and/or a fuzzy type of vision Eyestrain or irritation Difficulty with night vision Squinting Headaches

What are the different types of astigmatism?

The most common type of astigmatism is found in the cornea. This occurs when the cornea is shaped more like a football, as opposed to a round soccer ball. The other kind of astigmatism is found in the natural lens inside the eye and is known as lenticular astigmatism. This type of lens has certain kinds of distortions which prevent proper vision. People with lenticular astigmatism often have a regular shaped cornea, but it’s possible to have irregularities in the lens and cornea.

Can I get lasik for astigmatism?

In most cases, LASIK can completely correct astigmatism, and the results are permanent. However LASIK may not be recommended for people with high astigmatism. When a patient is seen for a LASIK evaluation their eyes are examined using a corneal topographer, this enables the eye doctor to determine if the patient is a good fit for LASIK eye surgery. While astigmatism may sound scary, it is simply a refractive error like nearsightedness or farsightedness, which can be corrected by LASIK surgery. For LASIK surgery, highly accurate lasers are used to reshape the cornea, which results in a more symmetrical front surface of the eye, eliminating astigmatism-related vision problems.

Astigmatism Treatment: Effective Approaches to Correct Your Vision

Summary

Astigmatism is a common component of some people’s optical correction, as a result of an irregular shape or curvature of the cornea or lens. If you are experiencing blurry vision or any other symptoms, please schedule an eye exam so that you can find out if you have astigmatism and be provided with the proper correction.