Astigmatism: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options

Astigmatism: Symptoms and Treatment Options

Astigmatism is one of the most common refractive errors of the eye. Almost everyone has some degree of astigmatism — it is essentially an irregular curvature of the eye's optical surfaces that causes blurred vision.

The good news is that astigmatism is straightforward to manage. This article explains the symptoms of astigmatism and the treatment options available.

What Is Astigmatism?

Astigmatism occurs when the cornea — or the lens inside the eye — has uneven curvatures. Instead of being shaped like a perfectly round ball, the cornea is shaped more like a rugby ball or oval. This irregular curvature blurs vision at all distances and may coexist with myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness).

Astigmatism is often present from birth. A patient may have astigmatism alongside myopia or hyperopia. When astigmatism is high enough to interfere with daily life, the best treatments are toric corrective lenses or refractive laser surgery to reshape the cornea — typically LASIK.

Symptoms of Astigmatism

Common symptoms of astigmatism include:

• Blurred or distorted vision
• Eye strain or visual discomfort
• Headaches
• Difficulty with night vision
• Squinting to see clearly

Causes of Astigmatism

The exact cause of astigmatism is not fully understood, but genetics plays a strong role. Beyond that, the eye contains two structures with curved surfaces that bend (refract) incoming light onto the retina, producing the images we see. These two structures are:

The Cornea

The clear front surface of the eye.

The Lens

A clear structure inside the eye that changes shape to focus on near objects.

In a perfectly shaped eye without astigmatism, both of these elements have a smooth, spherical curvature.

If either is shaped more like an oval, light rays do not bend as they should — producing two slightly different images that overlap and result in blurred vision. That is why astigmatism is classified as a refractive error.

Treating Astigmatism in Children

One of the most common questions about astigmatism is: "Does astigmatism improve in children?" Before answering, it is worth noting that children may not realize their vision is blurry. They should have routine eye exams from a pediatric ophthalmologist starting at birth, and once they reach school age, every one to two years.

Treatment for astigmatism in children (under 18 years) is usually with corrective lenses, which compensate for the refractive error.

In adults, astigmatism can be managed in two main ways: corrective lenses, or LASIK refractive surgery.

Visit Cornea Clinic and book an appointment with Dr. Shaarawy if your symptoms are limiting your daily activities or affecting how you see and work. Your ophthalmologist can confirm whether you have astigmatism, measure its severity, and walk you through the best correction options for your eyes.