If you suffer from blurred vision at any distance or also have nearsightedness or farsightedness then you are quite likely to have a common complaint known as astigmatism. Here is a look at what it entails and how you can correct this ailment if it is affecting your vision.
What is astigmatism?
Astigmatism is generally considered a mild and easily treatable condition that is caused by an imperfection in the curvature of the eye, which can caused you to suffer from blurred vision. When the front surface of your eye, which is known as the cornea or the lens, has a slightly different surface curvature in one direction from the other rather than being smooth in any direction, this is referred to as astigmatism, which also means that the surface area of your eye may have some areas that are predominantly flatter or steeper than others.
Symptoms of astigmatism
Some of the most obvious symptoms associated with astigmatism are blurred or distorted vision, eyestrain and fairly regular and sometimes severe headaches. If you are finding that your overall quality of life is being reduced as a result of these issues and you are finding it harder than before to complete basic everyday tasks then you should make an appointment to see an eye doctor as soon as possible so that they can properly diagnose if you have astigmatism. Even if it is only a mild version, it is essential to have it checked as it could be a warning flag that something more serious is occurring such the onset of an eye disease, so the sooner you receive an accurate diagnosis the better.
Refractive errors
This term refers to what is often a combination of errors that can often be easily corrected, such as suffering from a astigmatism as well as nearsightedness, which is also known as myopia, or perhaps suffering from farsightedness, which is also referred to as hyperopia. These conditions are caused by your cornea being curved too much in the case of myopia and too little in the case of hyperopia.
Astigmatism is something that may have been present from birth or it can develop as a result of someone suffering from an eye injury, a disease or even possible some surgical procedure that they have had. Astigmatism is not caused by sitting too close to the TV or reading in poor light and contrary to belief in some circles, you cannot make the condition worse by doing any of these things.
Getting a diagnosis
When you go for a consultation with your eye doctor they will probably perform a number of recognized tests in order to diagnose astigmatism. They will likely measure reflected light to quantify the amount and orientation of any corneal astigmatism present and also measure the curvature of your cornea to confirm the presence of astigmatism.
Plenty of options
If you are diagnosed with astigmatism, the good news is that it is easily treatable and there are many options available on the market to enable you to get the best contact lenses for your specific needs. You will find that a specialist supplier such as the Lenstore website is a good source of suitable products and supplies that you can acquire once you have been correctly assessed by a suitably qualified eye consultant or doctor.
Understanding the causes and symptoms of astigmatism will help to allay any fears that you may have about the condition and you should be able to find a solution that will help you enjoy good vision and allow you to get on with your life.
Chelsea Miller enjoys sharing her insights into eyesight through blogging. She has extensive experience as an optical technician.
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