Astigmatism is a common eye condition affecting people of all ages. It occurs when the cornea (corneal astigmatism) or lens (lenticular astigmatism) of the eye is misshapen, causing light to be refracted improperly and resulting in blurry or distorted vision. In this article, we will explore the different types of astigmatism, their symptoms, causes, and available astigmatism treatment options.
At our optometry clinic, we specialize in diagnosing and treating astigmatism, helping patients in Olympia and surrounding areas achieve better vision. There are different types of astigmatism, including regular and irregular astigmatism, each with its own set of symptoms.
Here are the symptoms of each type:
Regular astigmatism occurs when the cornea or lens is curved more in one direction than the other, creating a football-shaped cornea instead of a spherical one. This type of astigmatism is often present at birth, and many people may not even realize they have it until they get an eye exam. The symptoms of regular astigmatism include:
Irregular astigmatism is less common and occurs when the cornea or lens has an irregular shape, causing light to focus at multiple points on the retina, rather than a single point. This type of astigmatism can be caused by various factors, including eye injuries or surgery, keratoconus, scarring of the cornea, or certain types of contact lenses. The symptoms of irregular astigmatism can be more severe and may include:
It is important to note that the symptoms of astigmatism can be similar to those of other vision problems, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and functional vision issues. That's why it is essential to get regular eye exams to detect and treat astigmatism early, to prevent further vision problems. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please call us at (360) 491-2121 to schedule an eye exam.
There are two main types: regular astigmatism and irregular astigmatism. Here are some of the the tests that we may perform during an astigmatism diagnosis:
This test measures how well you can see letters or symbols on an eye chart at different distances. If you have astigmatism, your vision may be blurry or distorted in certain directions.
This test determines your exact eyeglass or contact lens prescription by measuring how your eye focuses light. If you have astigmatism, your prescription will include a cylinder power to correct the irregular curvature of the cornea.
This test measures the curvature of the cornea using a specialized instrument called a keratometer. This can help determine the severity and type of astigmatism.
We may decide to use this test to provide a detailed map of the curvature of the cornea, which can help diagnose and monitor astigmatism.
Like with regular astigmatism, a visual acuity test can reveal blurry or distorted vision in certain directions.
This test can determine the overall prescription needed to correct vision, but may not be able to fully correct irregular astigmatism.
This test can help diagnose irregular astigmatism caused by corneal disorders such as keratoconus.
This test is especially useful in diagnosing irregular astigmatism, as it can provide a detailed map of the cornea's irregular curvature.
It is important to note that not all cases of astigmatism are the same, and some patients may have both regular and irregular astigmatism. In addition, astigmatism can occur alongside other vision problems such as nearsightedness or farsightedness. Therefore, a comprehensive eye exam is essential for accurately diagnosing and treating astigmatism.
There are several treatment options available for astigmatism correction in different types of astigmatism.
Prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses can correct the curvature of the cornea, allowing the eye to focus light properly. Toric lenses are specially designed for astigmatism and provide clear vision at all distances.
LASIK or other types of refractive surgery can reshape the cornea to correct astigmatism. This procedure can be highly effective and may provide long-term improvement in vision.
This non-surgical procedure involves wearing specialized contact lenses at night to reshape the cornea temporarily. This can provide clear vision without the need for eyeglasses or contact lenses during the day.
These rigid contact lenses can provide clear vision by creating a smooth surface on the cornea. They are often used to correct irregular astigmatism caused by keratoconus or other corneal disorders.
These specialized contact lenses are larger than regular contact lenses and rest on the white part of the eye. They can correct irregular astigmatism by creating a new smooth ocular surface over the irregular cornea.
This procedure involves applying a special solution to the cornea and exposing it to UV light. This can strengthen the cornea and prevent it from becoming more irregular, improving vision and preventing further damage.
In some cases, LASIK or other types of refractive surgery can be used to correct irregular astigmatism. However, this is less common than for regular astigmatism, and the success rate may be lower.
It is important to note that not all patients with astigmatism may be candidates for all treatment options. The best treatment option will depend on the severity and type of astigmatism, as well as the patient's overall eye health and lifestyle.
In addition to these treatment options, there are also several lifestyle changes that can help manage astigmatism and improve overall eye health. These include:
Here are the different types of lenses used to correct different types of astigmatism:
These are specially designed soft contact lenses or intraocular lenses (IOLs) that have different powers in different meridians. Toric lenses are used to correct regular astigmatism, which occurs when the cornea or lens is shaped like a football rather than a basketball. Toric lenses are designed to fit the unique curvature of the eye and correct the astigmatism.
These are standard lenses used to correct nearsightedness or farsightedness, but they can also correct small amounts of astigmatism. Spherical lenses are not as effective in correcting astigmatism as toric lenses, but they can still provide some improvement in vision.
These are hard, gas-permeable lenses that are more effective in correcting astigmatism than spherical lenses. RGP and scleral lenses are designed to maintain their shape on the cornea, which helps to correct irregular astigmatism caused by corneal irregularities, such as keratoconus.
These lenses have a rigid gas-permeable center and a soft lens outer rim, which makes them more comfortable than RGP lenses while still providing the benefits of hard lenses for correcting astigmatism.
These are custom-made contact lenses that are designed using advanced technology to map the unique shape of the eye and correct irregular astigmatism. Wavefront-guided lenses provide a more personalized and precise correction than standard lenses.
If you're experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, it's essential to schedule an eye exam with our optometrist to accurately diagnose and treat astigmatism. Whether you have regular or irregular astigmatism, there are several treatment options available, including eyeglasses, contact lenses, refractive surgery, or other procedures. We will work with you to determine the best treatment option based on your individual needs and lifestyle. Please call us at (360) 491-2121 to schedule an eye exam or Book an Appointment .
Patients with astigmatism visit our clinic and optical from all over Washington, and we are proud to be a leading provider of routine and medical eye care services for patients from Olympia, Lakewood, Tacoma, and Lacey.
Such a nice optician. My grandson is only 4 and needs glasses. We were so sad, but he explained the issues, and we will follow up as he suggested.
I had such a good experience with the clinic. Very friendly staff and doctor, did not have to wait for long to be called, and was treated respectfully. Thanks, American Family.
Dr. Zurcher has gone above and beyond what any other eye doctor has ever done to figure out what is going on with my eyes. Very happy with American Family Vision.
Family Vision Clinic changed our lives! My daughter was frequently car sick, and she was getting headaches every day, often painful enough that they brought her to tears. We saw a string of doctors and therapists, but we made no progress. Finally, we found Dr. Levi Zurcher and his eye therapist Rain. After ten weeks of eye therapy my daughter no longer gets headaches, and she no longer gets car sick. Daily tears are a thing of the past. I really can’t say enough about this clinic. It was fascinating to watch Dr. Zurcher work. For the first time, someone who knew what they were doing was intently studying my daughter, really trying to figure out all of her eye issues, and his therapist Rain is one of the most patient and lovely people that I’ve ever had the good fortune to meet. We’re finished with eye therapy—yay!—and I have switched to American Family Vision Clinic for all of my family’s other eye health needs.
Very professional, yet kind and helpful. They do what they can to make the appointment comfortable. I was running a bit late, I made sure ti call. They were able to switch me with a patient who was already there, they treated me with respect, and helped my son have confidence by getting him the eye care he needed that day. Thank you so much! Would recommend to anyone. It's a blessing that they care enough to work with people who have all different types of insurance from work to state coverage.
The staff is friendly. The Doc is very knowledgeable. The office is family friendly and everyone is so patient with the little ones.
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