Pro Talk: All You Need to Know About Astigmatism

The shape of your eye affects the light-bending process that is central to your ability to see clearly. Any irregularities to your eye shape can result in refractive errors such as astigmatism. Here, your go-to eye clinic, Downtown Eyes, answers common questions about this visual acuity problem for your understanding.

Q: What Are the Causes, Types, and Risk Factors?

While there’s no known exact cause of astigmatism yet, heredity and congenital structural irregularities are some common risk factors. There are two types of astigmatism: corneal astigmatism, which occurs when the transparent covering of your eyes (cornea) develops uneven surfaces, and lenticular astigmatism, which results from the natural lenses of your eyes having an unusual shape or curvature. Both types may cause dispersed light refraction, impairing your vision.

Q: What Are the Symptoms?

Your trusted eye doctor explains that the characteristic manifestation of astigmatism is blurry vision when looking at both close- and far-range objects. You may also experience nausea or vomiting when reading, driving, or doing other daily tasks. Severe eye strain and frequent headaches are common too.

Q: How Is It Diagnosed?

We recommend visiting your expert eye clinic when you notice any of these symptoms. We will perform a comprehensive eye exam to identify signs of astigmatism. This may include visual acuity and refraction assessments to establish the severity of refractive error involved.

Q: How Is It Managed?

Your eye doctor or optometrist may prescribe toric lenses for your eyeglasses or contact lenses. They feature a sliced donut shape to compensate for your eyes’ structural irregularities, giving you the ability to see clearly at varying refractive levels. We may also suggest undergoing LASIK or other refractive surgeries..

If you have any further questions about astigmatism, call us at (612) 333-EYES (3937) or complete our form. You may also send us a message to schedule a visit. We serve Minneapolis, MN, and surrounding areas.