We are committed to keeping our patients in the loop. That's why we would like to answer some of the common astigmatism questions that we run into. If you are experiencing vision issues and suspect it may be due to astigmatism, schedule an appointment with Dr. Stone at Andrew Stone Optometry in Columbia, MO.
What Is Astigmatism?
Astigmatism is a refractive error that affects your vision. It occurs when the surface of your eye, the cornea, has an irregular curvature. This irregularity prevents light from focusing correctly on your retina, which is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye. As a result, astigmatism can cause your vision to be blurry and distorted. It can also cause eye fatigue and headaches.
What Causes Astigmatism?
Several factors can contribute to astigmatism, including:
· Genetics: If your parents or grandparents had astigmatism, you're more likely to develop it as well.
· Eye injury: A blow to the eye can cause the cornea to become misshapen. This leads to astigmatism and also distorts your vision.
· Disease: Some diseases, such as keratoconus, can also lead to astigmatism.
What Are The Signs and Symptoms of Astigmatism?
People with astigmatism might experience the following symptoms:
- Blurry or distorted vision
- Eye fatigue
- Headaches
- Squinting to see better
If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, we recommend scheduling an appointment with our optometrist. Dr. Stone will diagnose your condition and recommend the best treatment options.
Why Don't Standard Contacts Work for Astigmatism?
Standard contact lenses are designed to correct nearsightedness or farsightedness, but not astigmatism. If you try to wear them, they will make your vision worse. There are two types of contacts that can correct astigmatism: toric lenses and rigid gas-permeable lenses.
Toric lenses are the most common type and they work by sitting in a certain way on your eye so that they can correct astigmatism. Rigid gas-permeable lenses, on the other hand, are made of hard, inflexible material. They work by molding to the shape of your eye and correcting astigmatism in that way.
Contact Our Optometrist at Andrew Stone Optometry in Columbia, MO
Astigmatism is a serious condition affecting millions of people. The good news is that you can treat astigmatism by consulting our eye doctor for an appropriate treatment. Now that we have answered some of the common questions about astigmatism, you should have a better understanding of the condition. If you are experiencing vision issues or it has been a while since your last eye exam, call our team today at (573) 445-7750 or reach us through our website by using our online contact form.
