Although it may sound intimidating, astigmatism is actually a mild condition. People with astigmatism primarily experience slightly blurred vision, and that’s about the extent of it. The condition may be diagnosed at birth or later in life. It is thought to be genetic in some cases. But astigmatism can also develop as a result of an eye injury or related condition.
Types of astigmatism
People with astigmatism have one of two types:
- Regular astigmatism is caused by the cornea curving to one side of the eye rather than being evenly distributed.
- Irregular astigmatism is caused by the cornea having an uneven curve across the entire surface of the eye.
Symptoms of astigmatism
Symptoms of astigmatism are similar to symptoms of needing glasses: Headaches, blurry vision, squinting, eye strain, lazy eye (in children), and trouble seeing well at night or in the dark. The inability to focus on objects near you or far away is also common with astigmatism.
Diagnosing and treating astigmatism
To properly diagnose astigmatism, you’ll need to see an eye doctor–an optometrist or ophthalmologist. Your doctor will then give you an eye examination which may consist of a vision test or a test that measures the curve of your cornea. You may also have a test that measures your eyes’ ability to focus light.
Once you’ve received a diagnosis, astigmatism is easily treated. Treatments include glasses or contact lenses, and laser eye surgery is also done in some cases. If your astigmatism doesn’t bother you, you may not need treatment at all.
Astigmatism in children
Astigmatism in children is more of a cause for concern than adult astigmatism, as blurry vision, headaches, and eye strain can interfere with a child’s ability to focus in school and learn properly. Some studies indicate that 23% of children aged 6 months to 1 year have astigmatism, but they usually grow out of it–only 9% of children aged 5 to 6 years experience the condition, with a greater prevalence among Asian and Hispanic children.
If your child has astigmatism, they might:
- Complain of headaches frequently
- Have blurred or unfocused vision
- Squint often
- Tilt their head to see better
- Close one eye while reading or watching TV
- Have an increased sensitivity to light
If you witness your young child showing any of these symptoms, make an appointment with an eye doctor. The treatment is the same as with adult astigmatism–glasses or, less frequently, contact lenses. In many cases though, a child with astigmatism will only have it to a slight degree, and may not need any sort of treatment.
The earlier you diagnose astigmatism, the better, particularly with more advanced cases. If you’ve been noticing recent changes in your vision, call your ophthalmologist and arrange an appointment.
Written by Natan Rosenfeld