What is Astigmatism and How is it Corrected
Learn more about Astigmatism
Astigmatism is one of the refractive errors of the eye that causes blurry or distorted vision. This is due to the irregularly shaped cornea or the lens, a characteristic of Astigmatism, as a result of which, light entering the eye which should focus as one single point to project a sharp, clear vision, splits and focuses at multiple points, creating blurry or distorted vision.
Apart from blurred or distorted vision, other symptoms of Astigmatism include, double vision, halos around lights, squinting to see clearly, inability to see fine details clearly, headaches, fatigue and eye strain.
How can Astigmatism be Corrected?
Eyeglasses: Eyeglasses fitted with a special cylindrical shape lens prescribed by your eye care specialist that fixes the uneven curvature of the eye.
Contact Lenses: There are special contact lenses for Astigmatism such as Toric lenses and Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) lenses that help correct the irregular shape of the eye.
Refractive Surgery: A LASIK (Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis) or PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) procedures use lasers to reshape the surface of the cornea, offering a more permanent solution to Astigmatism.
The Four Main Types of Astigmatism
Regular Astigmatism: Common type of astigmatism which causes blurred or distorted vision
Irregular Astigmatism: Typically caused by an eye injury or corneal scarring
Hyperopic Astigmatism: Related to farsightedness and causes blurred vision at all distances
Myopic Astigmatism: Related to nearsightedness and causes blurry, distorted or stretched distant vision
With a professional eye examination and vision screening, you can determine the type of astigmatism the eyes have and get the correct prescription and treatment to enjoy a clear and crisp vision, free of distortions at all distances.
