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What is it?

Astigmatism occurs when the anterior part of the eye, technically referred to as the cornea, is not a regular symmetrical global shape. Rather, its shape is sort of like that of the back of a spoon – longer in one mode than another. Due to the fact that the cornea is an unpredictable shape, the eye can’t focus light passing through it sharply on to the back of the eye or retina. So vision is obscured at all distances.

What causes it?

As the eye forms in the womb, various factors determine the shape of it, including inherited genetic factors and environment. It turns out that these elements can cause an jagged curve of the cornea, although the exact cause isn’t known.

Who’s affected?

Most people have a slight astigmatism

Astigmatism is not unusual and is commonly present when a individual is born. Most people have a unimportant astigmatism – it’s uncommon for the cornea to have developed in a dead symmetrical way. But in mild cases, the eye can adjust to focus light adequately.

In many instances of astigmatism the person also has different visual problems 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 hazy or distorted whether the person is reading close up or looking further into the distance.

In milder cases the individual may complain their vision is obscure at certain distances, that they’ve tired or dry eyes, that it is 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 certified 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?

Most of the time, astigmatism can be corrected by wearing properly fitted eyeglasses or contact lenses.

Milder astigmatism may not need treatment unless the person is doing a job that puts intensive demands on the eyes, for example, computer work.

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

Some may choose laser surgery. Try to obtain a balanced view about how good or dangerous laser surgery may be by speaking to your surgeon first.