Astigmatism

Astigmatism is a common ailment, in which the front surface of the eye is curved differently in one direction than the other. The result is frustrating blurry vision — but the experts at Visionary Eye Doctors can take those frustrations away. We specialize in treating astigmatism so you can get back to living your life with clear vision. Keep reading to learn more about astigmatism and the treatment options we offer.

If you suspect you may suffer from astigmatism, schedule an eye exam and consultation with our Rockville, MD, eye doctors by calling (301) 591-1763!

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What Is Astigmatism?

Think of the normal eye as shaped like a round ball, with the cornea and lens curved equally all the way around. This smooth shape is what helps focus light onto the retina. With astigmatism, the eye is shaped like an egg with mismatched curves. This means light isn’t refracted properly and vision is impaired.

Ranging from mild to severe, astigmatism is measured in diopters. If your eye does not have astigmatism, you have a diopter of 0. For a slight astigmatism, treatment is not always necessary. However, for a diopter of 1.5 or higher, vision correction may be recommended.

Slight Astigmatism: up to 0.75 diopters
Mild Astigmatism: 0.75-2 diopters
Moderate Astigmatism: 2-4 diopters
Severe Astigmatism: 4 or more diopters

If you have an irregularly shaped cornea, it is known as corneal astigmatism; a misshaped lens is known as lenticular astigmatism. In both cases, both near and distant vision is blurred or distorted. Astigmatism is often accompanied by nearsightedness or farsightedness.

Causes of Astigmatism

There is no clear reason as to what causes this irregular shape, but the likelihood of having it is inherited. Astigmatism primarily presents at birth; however, it can also develop after an eye disease, injury, or surgery. If you’ve heard it can develop from reading in dim light or sitting too close to the television, don’t believe it — these are only myths.

Two women analyzing documents while sitting on a table in office. Woman executives at work in office discussing some paperwork.

The optometrist holds a frame for the selection of lenses, a close-up. Ophthalmological study, astigmatism

Diagnosing Astigmatism

Astigmatism generally begins at birth, but symptoms of astigmatism may develop or worsen later in life. Noticeable symptoms can include:

Distorted Vision
Headaches
Excessive Squinting
Trouble Seeing at Night
Eye Discomfort

Untreated astigmatism can significantly impact daily activities such as driving, as it can lead to increased sensitivity to incoming light, causing glare and making it harder to see clearly.

If you notice these astigmatism symptoms, the experts at Visionary Eye Doctors can examine you for an official diagnosis.

What to Expect During Your Eye Exam

During your comprehensive eye exam, your doctor will perform a series of tests, including a visual acuity test and refraction test, to check the health of each eye and how they bend light (refraction). Bright lights and different lenses can help determine the prescription needed to account for astigmatism.

To schedule an eye exam in Rockville, Damascus, or Washington, DC, to test for astigmatism, call (301) 591-1763. You can also schedule an appointment online.

Treating Astigmatism

Astigmatism is a treatable condition. The two primary treatment options are corrective lenses or refractive surgery. Both are designed to improve vision and eye comfort.

Corrective Lenses

Wearing corrective lenses, known as toric lenses, treats astigmatism by counteracting uneven curvatures of your misshapen cornea or lens. One option is prescription eyeglasses, which contain lenses that make light bend into the eye properly. Similarly, contacts are another way to correct most astigmatism.

Refractive Surgery

Refractive surgery (using a laser beam to reshape the curves of the cornea) can correct astigmatism without the need for corrective lenses or prescription glasses. There are several types of laser eye surgery for astigmatism, including LASIK procedure, photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), and implantable contact lenses. Visionary Eye Doctors has experts in all these areas and will evaluate you to determine the right surgery for your optimal vision.

Why Choose Visionary Eye Doctors?

Take the next step in astigmatism care with Visionary Eye Doctors. Our goal is to improve vision problems while helping you regain your quality of life.

Count on our board-certified astigmatism experts to:

Provide an accurate diagnosis
Explain your treatment options
Provide expert follow-up care

Meet our certified optometrists who can help with any degree of astigmatism:

Learn more about astigmatism and treatment options from Visionary Eye Doctors by calling our office today at (301) 591-1763. You can also schedule an appointment online.

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