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

Types of Astigmatism

Astigmatism is a common refractive error of the eye that affects how light is focused on the retina, causing blurred or distorted vision. The cornea and lens of our eye is evenly curved like a basketball. This allows light to focus correctly on the retina, creating a sharp image required for a clear vision. In case of astigmatism, the cornea or the lens are shaped irregularly and are more like a rugby ball rather than a sphere. Because of this, light does not focus correctly, creating distorted or blurry vision.

Symptoms of astigmatism

Blurred or distorted vision

Double vision

Eye strain and headaches

Difficult to see fine details clearly

Seeing streaks, or halos around lights at night

Squinting and discomfort while reading or using digital screens

Diagnosis of astigmatism

Astigmatism can be easily diagnosed with a comprehensive eye examination that may include eye tests such as visual acuity test, refraction test, Keratometry to measure the curvature of the cornea’s anterior surface, and Corneal Topography that maps the surface of the cornea to find irregularities.

Understanding Myopia: The Global Epidemic

Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is a common refractive error of the eye where the close vision is clear but distant vision is blurry. There are many factors that can lead to the development and progression of myopia, especially in children and young adults. Let's take a look at top five factors that can contribute to myopia development and progression.

Genetics:

Genetic factors influence the shape and growth of the eye which can lead to a longer eyeball or a steeper cornea affecting the way light focuses in the eye, leading to myopia. Therefore, family history plays a significant role in myopia. If one or both parents have myopia, the risk of their children developing myopia is considerably higher.

Excessive Near Work:

Spending long hours on tasks that involve focusing up close such as reading, writing, knitting or using digital screens puts a lot of strain on the eyes. This excessive near work weakens eye muscles increasing the risk of myopia, especially in children who spend a lot of time indoors studying, reading or in front of their digital devices.

Limited Outdoor Activity:

Studies have shown that children who spend more time outdoors are less likely to develop myopia. Exposure to natural light and the opportunity to focus on distant objects are believed to help regulate healthy eye growth and better vision. Encourage your kids to go outdoors and participate in sports and games.

Poor Lighting:

Reading or working in dim light can put excess strain on your eyes which over time makes your eye vision poor. While performing any activity such as reading books, watching TV or even scrolling through your smartphone, make sure you are in a well-lit space. Practice good eye hygiene like keeping your eyes clean and taking frequent breaks from digital devices or work that requires you to focus on things up close. Straining your eyes for extended periods without breaks contributes to eye strain and possibly the progression of myopia.

Educational Pressure:

Students who go through intense academic competition often suffer from myopia. The combination of long study hours, indoor confinement and near-focused tasks all affect eye health and increase your chances of myopia development.

Understanding astigmatism and treating it effectively

Astigmatism is a refractive error of the eye which causes blurred or distorted vision. It's a common vision condition which occurs due to eye cornea or lens that are not shaped correctly. So, instead of being perfectly round, the shape is more elongated or curved irregularly. This irregularity does not allow light to focus properly on the retina, leading to blurred or distorted vision at various distances.

Two main types of astigmatism:

Corneal Astigmatism - When the cornea of the eye is irregularly shaped

Lenticular Astigmatism - When the eye has an irregular shape, usually caused by cataracts.

While the exact cause of astigmatism is not known, it can be a hereditary condition and is often present from birth. Some individuals may develop astigmatism after an eye injury, surgery, or due to eye diseases like keratoconus. The good news is, astigmatism can be treated using one of the following methods.

Corrective Eyeglasses – Eyeglasses with special cylindrical lenses can correct the uneven curvature, improving vision clarity.

Contact Lenses – Toric lenses are corrective alternatives designed for eyes with astigmatism and may even provide better vision than glasses for some individuals.

Eye Surgery – The irregular curvature of the cornea can be reshaped through procedures like LASIK or PRK, offering a more permanent remedy to astigmatism. However, it may not be suitable for everyone and one must consult their eye doctor before getting an eye surgery for vision correction.

Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) – This procedure requires the patient to wear a rigid contact lens overnight. This lens is specially designed to temporarily reshape the cornea and offer clearer vision.