What is an astigmatism?

You’ve all heard it before. “I’m nearsighted,” or “I’m farsighted,” and possibly even “I have an astigmatism”. All of these conditions are types of refractive errors, which is a type of vision problem that can make it hard to see clearly. In fact, uncorrected refractive error is one of the top two reversible causes of blindness in the US, along with cataracts. In this blog post, we will delve into the world of refractive errors, shedding light on myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia.

Myopia (Nearsightedness):

Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is a refractive error that causes distant objects to appear blurry, while close-up objects remain clear. The main cause of myopia is an elongated eyeball or a steeply curved cornea, which prevents light from focusing directly on the retina and instead focuses it in front of the retina.

Symptoms of Myopia:

Blurry vision when looking at distant objects.
Squinting or straining to see far away.
Headaches or eye strain after prolonged visual tasks.

Treatment Options for Myopia:

Eyeglasses or contact lenses to correct the refractive error.
Orthokeratology, a process of wearing special rigid contact lenses overnight to reshape the cornea temporarily.
Refractive surgery, such as LASIK, to permanently reshape the cornea.
Myopia Management to help slow down the progression of myopia

Hyperopia (Farsightedness):

Hyperopia, or farsightedness, is a refractive error that makes nearby objects appear blurry, while distant objects may be clearer. It occurs when the eyeball is too short or the cornea is too flat, causing light to focus behind the retina instead of directly on it.

Symptoms of Hyperopia:

Blurry vision when focusing on close-up objects.
Eye strain or discomfort, especially during extended periods of close work.
Headaches or fatigue after visual tasks.

Treatment Options for Hyperopia:

Eyeglasses or contact lenses to correct the refractive error.
Refractive surgery, such as LASIK, to reshape the cornea and improve focusing ability

Astigmatism:

Astigmatism is a refractive error characterized by an irregularly shaped cornea or lens, leading to distorted or blurred vision at any distance. Instead of being spherical like a basketball, the cornea or lens may be shaped more like a football, causing light to focus on multiple points instead of a single point on the retina.

Symptoms of Astigmatism:

Blurred or distorted vision at any distance.
Difficulty seeing fine details.
Eye strain or discomfort.
Streaks or stars from lights at night.

Treatment Options for Astigmatism:

Eyeglasses or toric contact lenses specially designed to correct astigmatism.
Refractive surgery, such as LASIK, to reshape the cornea and correct the irregularities.

Presbyopia:

Presbyopia is an age-related condition that affects the ability to focus on near objects due to the gradual loss of flexibility in the lens of the eye. It typically becomes noticeable around the age of 40 and affects everyone to some degree.

Symptoms of Presbyopia:

Difficulty reading small print or seeing nearby objects clearly.
Eyestrain or headaches when performing close-up tasks.
The need to hold reading material at arm's length.

Treatment Options for Presbyopia:

Reading glasses or bifocal/multifocal glasses to provide clear vision at different distances.
Progressive addition lenses (PALs), which offer a gradual transition of prescription strengths.
Contact lenses designed for presbyopia, including multifocal or monovision options.

Being familiar with common eye conditions like myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia empowers us to recognize the symptoms, seek early intervention, and explore suitable treatment options. Regular comprehensive eye exams play a crucial role in detecting these conditions and determining the most appropriate corrective measures for optimal vision. Whether it's through eyeglasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery, advancements in optometry offer a range of solutions to address these common eye conditions and help us enjoy a world of clear and comfortable vision. At Sight To See Eyecare & Eyewear, our experienced optometrists are dedicated to providing comprehensive eye care, including accurate diagnoses, personalized treatment plans, and expert guidance on managing common eye conditions. Schedule your next eye exam and embark on a journey toward better eye health and enhanced visual well-being.