Are you experiencing blurred vision at long distances and close up? You may have astigmatism, a common eye condition that affects your vision at all distances.
While minor astigmatism occurs in most patients, it can become a problem if it starts to hinder your ability to do things like drive or read.
If you have astigmatism, Dr. Vishal Patel and our team at Eye Care Solutions, located in Milton, Georgia, can help. Dr. Patel offers a range of options that can treat astigmatism and make your vision crystal clear!
Astigmatism causes and symptoms
Astigmatism occurs when the cornea or lens has a misshapen curvature. When you have astigmatism, your cornea or lens has an irregular curve that affects how your eyes refract light rays. It prevents your retina from focusing on the passing rays and results in blurred or distorted vision.
The exact cause of this imperfection varies. In some cases, astigmatism occurs at birth, while in some patients it develops over time with age. Certain eye diseases, injuries, and surgeries may cause astigmatism as well.
Aside from blurry, distorted vision, some other common symptoms of astigmatism include:
- Headaches
- Eyestrain
- Eye discomfort
- Squinting to improve vision
Myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness) often occur with astigmatism.
Are there any complications from astigmatism?
Astigmatism doesn’t have many complications. It may lead to a lazy eye if it affects one eye and doesn’t get treated. Although astigmatism doesn’t cause any serious damage to the eye, it can impact a child’s ability to succeed in school and other activities.
Treatment options for astigmatism
Fortunately, if you do have astigmatism, Dr. Patel can treat it with either corrective lenses or refractive surgery.
When you see Dr. Patel for your eye exam, he uses a machine that shines a light into your eye. This lets him see how the refracts against your retina and how severe your astigmatism is. He then goes over the best treatment option.
Typically, the easiest solution for astigmatism is eyeglasses or contact lenses that you wear daily. Or you can choose a procedure called orthokeratology, which uses special contact lenses that reshape your cornea over time to improve your vision.
Another option is refractive surgery, often known as LASIK, which involves using a laser to remove and reshape tissue in your cornea. Dr. Patel may recommend this option if you have severe astigmatism.
At Eye Care Solutions, we care about your vision and comfort, so we make it our goal to work with you and find the right treatment that best matches your lifestyle and goals.
To learn more about astigmatism, book your consultation online with Dr. Patel or give our office a call.
