Key Takeaways
- Astigmatism happens when the clear front part of your eye has an uneven shape.
- Blurry sight and frequent headaches often signal this common condition.
- Glasses or contact lenses can correct your vision.
- Your eyesight shifts naturally over the years.
Astigmatism Is a Common Condition
Visual changes often reflect the physical shape of your eye. For instance, if you find that streetlights look like starbursts when you’re driving at night, or if you find text blurry to read, these could both suggest that you have astigmatism.
Astigmatism is a common eye condition that happens when your eye has an irregular shape, and it’s usually corrected with prescription glasses or contact lenses. Proper preventative care with our team at Total Vision Seal Beach can improve your nighttime vision and help you maintain sharp sight for your daily tasks.
What Astigmatism Means for Your Eyes
Astigmatism comes down to the shape of your eye. A normal, round eye looks like a basketball. Light passes through and is refracted cleanly onto a single point at the back of your eye, creating a crisp and focused image.
When you have an astigmatism, your eye isn’t perfectly round, but looks more like a football. This uneven curve bends incoming light in different directions depending on where it enters the eye, causing objects to look stretched out or fuzzy.
Common Signs & Symptoms to Watch For
Astigmatism has several common symptoms. Pay attention to the following:
- Blurry or fuzzy vision at nearby and far distances
- Frequent headaches after working on a computer
- Eye strain after reading a book for a few minutes
- Difficulty seeing clearly during nighttime drives
How an Eye Doctor in Seal Beach Detects Astigmatism
The Eye Chart Test
You’ll be asked to read letters on a wall chart to check your visual sharpness. This simple process gives your eye doctor a baseline for your eye health.
Your eye doctor then places different lenses in front of your eyes. You look through the lenses and share which ones provide a clear picture. This feedback helps your eye doctor find the prescription you need for sharp vision.
Corneal Shape Measurement
Modern diagnostic equipment can map out the shape of your eye. You’ll rest your chin on a machine while a soft light measures the surface of your eye. This device creates a topographical eye map in just seconds.
This mapping process is completely painless and requires no direct contact with your eye.
Ways to Fix Astigmatism Without Surgery
Prescription Glasses & Contact Lenses
An uneven eye shape can be corrected with prescription glasses. These lenses are curved to balance out the football shape of your eye, so that light reaches the back of your eye correctly.
If you have an active lifestyle, you might prefer contact lenses. Soft contacts sit securely on your eyes while you play sports or run errands. You can also try gas permeable contacts. These rigid lenses keep their shape to provide sharp sight throughout the day.
Overnight Vision Correction
In some cases, orthokeratology (ortho-k) is a good option. Ortho-k lenses are worn overnight, where they gently reshape your cornea in order to correct your vision. You can remove them in the morning and enjoy clear daytime vision without glasses.
Can Astigmatism Go Back to Normal Over Time?
How Eyes Change With Age
Your body changes naturally as the years go by. The physical shape of your eye can also shift and alter how you see the world. However, astigmatism doesn’t generally get better over time.
You can manage natural vision shifts with regular and proactive eye care. A comprehensive eye exam every one to two years helps track any changes, and our team at Total Vision Seal Beach can update your prescription to match your current needs.
Give our office a call to schedule your next visit and keep your vision sharp.
