Did anyone say "astigmatism"?

Were you told that you have astigmatism and you have no idea what it is? Do not worry, between 20-40% of the population suffers from astigmatism and it may appear combined with myopia and hyperopia. In eOpticians we will explain what it is, its symptoms and how to correct it!

First, we have to be clear that astigmatism is a common refractive defect, it is not about any disease or a visual health problem. What is a refractive defect? Well, it is the condition that hinders our eye when it comes to focusing the images on the retina. Surely you've heard of other refractive defects such as myopia, or hyperopia, right?

You have to know, that the eye has two main parts that can be the cause of astigmatism: the cornea and the lens. Both are responsible for focusing the images we perceive and define them correctly in the retina

Normally, the cornea and the lens refract all the incoming light in the same way and create a clear image in the back of the eye (retina). However, when an eye has astigmatism, the cornea does not have the same curvature in all its axes and adopts an elliptical or oval shape, so that the rays of light are not refracted correctly and can cause what we call astigmatism.

What happens then? Our vision will be blurred both near and far, and this will occur more in one direction than in the other. That is if you suffer from astigmatism and do not carry any type of correction, for example, when looking at a star you will see it longer than circular

In general, any type of astigmatism can cause blurred vision, and the symptoms can be very different depending on each person, age and the degree of astigmatism that we have. Thus, astigmatism is measured in diopters (negative sign) and oscillates between degrees 0º and 180º.

Another sign and/or symptom that can be experienced is fatigue when performing tasks that require attention, such as reading or driving. Also headaches, irritation or itchy eyes. In addition, it is usually stable throughout life, except in very rare cases. That is, the myth that astigmatism can develop or worsen due to activities such as reading in low light conditions is not true.

You might be wondering, what do I do to correct it? Well, today you have several options to choose to correct astigmatism. All of them have the main objective, which is to ensure that the image formed in our retina is clear in all meridians. This correction can be done in glasses or contact lenses.

So, in the market, you can find both reusable and disposable lenses for the correction of astigmatism. If you are a regular user of contact lenses and use monthly contact lenses, we recommend Acuvue Oasys for Astigmatism; Dailies AquaComfort Plus Toric daily lenses are also very good. In any case, we recommend that you consult with your ophthalmologist which are the most appropriate for you depending on the reason for use and your degree of astigmatism.

There is also the possibility of correcting astigmatism through refractive surgery, modifying the curvature of our cornea. However, it is important that if you want to undergo an operation to consult with your ophthalmologist to be the one that assesses the feasibility of surgery in your case.

If the reason that has led you to read these lines is to know if astigmatism can be prevented, we are sorry to say no. However, in order to avoid its appearance, ophthalmologists recommend avoiding rubbing the eyes and carrying out annual check-ups, mainly in children, since it may help to slow down their evolution.

In addition, it is recommended to watch television with the light on and maintain a considerable distance (at least 3 meters). Also, use screens or electronic devices with a low level of radiation and make small breaks or blink several times when we work on the computer.

We hope to have resolved your doubts about what astigmatism is, its symptoms and how to correct it. If you are thinking about choosing astigmatism contact lens correction option and you need more information, do not hesitate to contact us.