How is Astigmatism
Diagnosed?
Astigmatism is diagnosed by an
optometrist or ophthalmologist
during a comprehensive eye exam.
They will perform a series of tests that
will test for visual acuity as well as for
astigmatism, because the two are
commonly found together.
· A common test for visual acuity is
reading a Snellen eye chart (letter
chart with different sized fonts)
to test how close or far away you
need to be to accurately read the
different sized fonts.
· A common test for astigmatism is a
keratometry test. This is done
using a Keratometer and shining a
circle of light into the eye to
measure the reflection. The
reflection can be used to measure
the curve of the cornea which will
show if you have astigmatism.
What is the
Treatment for
Astigmatism?
For many people, astigmatism isn’t
severe and won’t require any correction.
However, there are several ways to treat
this condition if necessary
The most common treatment is
corrective glasses or contact lenses. The
lenses will have different strengths of
prescription in different areas of the
lens to compensate for astigmatism.
· Another way to treat astigmatism is
through corrective surgery. The most
common form of this is LASIK, the
removal of tissue from the inner
What is
layer of the cornea to reshape the
eye. If surgery is something you may Astigmatism?
be interested in, talk to an
opthalmologist about what options A general guideline to
might be best for you. what Astigmatism is, how
it can affect you and how
to treat it
 What Exactly is
Astigmatism?
Astigmatism is essentially when
the eye is shaped incorrectly.
Normally the eye is shaped almost like
a circle, but the eye with astigmatism is
almost cone shaped or shaped similarly
to an egg or football. This error occurs
on the cornea, a clear dome-shaped
covering over the iris on the front of
your eye.
How does this affect the function of
the eye?
Normally light is processed by the back
of the eye. Light enters through the
pupil (black part at the center of
the eye), passes through the lens (clear
flexible disk behind the iris) and hits the
back of the eye where the light is
sensed by the retina. The retina then
changes this light information into
signals that can be sent to visual
information centers of the brain
through the optic nerve. Astigmatism
causes a light refraction error (bending
of the light) that makes the light hit the
back of the eye incorrectly, giving
multiple focal points (places where the
light is focused on the back of the eye)
and causing blurred vision.
How Does
Astigmatism
Develop?
Astigmatism can be inherited genetically
or it can develop due to an injury or
illness. Astigmatism can also develop or
worsen over time as your eye changes
shape naturally.
What are the symptoms?
Some of the common symptoms of
astigmatism are headaches, blurry vision
at all distances, excessive squinting to
focus vision, and eye strain. Many of
these symptoms also occur with
nearsightedness and farsightedness.
How Does
This Differ From
Nearsightedness
and
Farsightedness?
Nearsightedness (Myopia) is caused by
the eye being elongated, focusing the
light too far forward in the eye and mak-
ing images far away appear blurry. Far-
sightedness (Hyperopia) is caused from
the eye being too short, focusing the light
too far behind the retina and blurring
close-up vision. Astigmatism is due to an
irregular cornea shape so near and far
distance vision will appear blurry.