 Astigmatism
:: What is astigmatism?
It is a simple condition whereby the cornea (clear front of the eye) is oval in shape rather than round( it is like a football rather than a soccer ball). This causes objects at any distance to appear unclear, as light will not focus to a point onto the retina.
People with myopia/ hyperopia can have astigmatism.
Above Is a demonstration of how astigmatism affects the focusing of the eye. A person with no astigmatism will see all of the lines of the above picture in focus. A person with astigmatism will see one or more lines in focus, whilst others appear blurry..
In our example above the horizontal lines appear perfectly clear and become progressively blurry as they reach vertical.
:: What problems may a person with astigmatism face?
Astigmatism, because of its irregular focusing, has a variety of signs and symptoms:
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Headaches |
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Difficulty seeing distant and or near objects |
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Difficulty with computer screens |
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Fatigue |
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Ghosting(overlapping second image) |
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Lights tend to appear spread out |
:: Who develops astigmatism?
Anyone develop astigmatism at any age.
:: What cause astigmatism?
No-one is sure. There may be a weak hereditary component although this link has yet to be confirmed.
:: Can astigmatism be cured?
No. Because it is a structural problem of the eye and there does not seem to be a likelihood of a cure.
What should I do if I think I have astigmatism
You need to have your eyes checked with us, at The Eyestore that is Medicare Bulk Billed. Referrels are not required to come and see us. Our optometrist will advise you if you have developed atigmatism and will be able to recommend the best form of treatment if required.
:: What options do I have if am astigmatism?
The safest and easiest option for an astigmatic person is glasses. Contact lenses are also very popular with astigmatic people, and recently laser eye surgery has becoming an attractive option.
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