Astigmatism is a common vision condition that can affect people of all ages. It generally refers to the unequal curvatures in the shape of the cornea or lens. It means that there is a problem in the way your eye bends light, a process called refraction, that passes through the retina, the part of the eye that sends light signals to the brain. This flaw results in blurred vision. A reputable optometrist shares some helpful tips on how to treat astigmatism.
Common Symptoms
There are many types of astigmatism and the symptoms can vary from one person to another. In general, the symptoms of astigmatism include blurry vision close up and difficulty seeing far away. It is also common for people with this condition to experience eye strain, headaches and starbursts at night.
Treatment Options
1. Eyeglasses. Most refractive errors in the cornea and lens of the eye can be treated with prescription lenses. Regular astigmatism should be correctable to a 20/20 vision. However, there are other types of astigmatism that may be too severe to bring back to a usual healthy condition.
If you are nearsighted (-) or farsighted (+), you will notice “sphere power” on your eyeglass prescription. The higher the number in your prescription, the more severe the condition.
2. Contact lenses. Soft toric contact lenses can correct astigmatism. They provide comfort for patients as well as a high level of accuracy and producibility. If you learn that your case is more severe after an eye exam, an eye doctor may recommend a gas-permeable, rigid contact lens, which creates a spherical service on the surface of the eye to correct astigmatism.
3. Surgery. Laser surgery can fully correct astigmatism. For instance, LASIK surgery uses high-precision lasers to effectively make the cornea more symmetrical. It is important to address an eye professional in order to choose a proper solution for your specific astigmatism case.
Eye Exercises
There are simple eye exercise techniques that you can do at home to help treat astigmatism. A common example is eye massage. First, close your eyes and then place two fingers on each of your eyelids. Gently apply pressure and move your fingers in a circular motion. Repeat it 10 to 15 times.
Head tilting can also help your extraocular muscles to alleviate the stress exerted on your eyeballs. Look in the mirror to determine if your head is tilted to one side. Make sure to spend time consciously tilting your head in the opposite direction.
Eyes On Norbeck is a reputable vision care clinic that specializes in eye care services such as LASIK evaluation and eyeglasses or contact treatment. Call at (301) 238-7199 or fill out our contact form to set up an appointment. We are ready to serve patients in Potomac, MD and the surrounding communities.
