👓 Astigmatism
Astigmatism is a common vision condition caused by an irregularly shaped cornea or sometimes the lens inside the eye, leading to blurred or distorted vision at all distances.
⚙️ Cause
- Instead of being perfectly round like a basketball, the cornea or lens is shaped more like a football (oval).
- This causes light to focus on multiple points on or in front of the retina instead of one, resulting in blurry or distorted images.
📋 Symptoms
- Blurry or distorted vision at near and far distances
- Eyestrain or discomfort
- Headaches
- Difficulty seeing at night
- Squinting to improve vision
🩺 Diagnosis
- Comprehensive eye exam with refraction testing
- Keratometry or corneal topography to measure corneal shape
💊 Treatment
- Prescription glasses with cylindrical lenses to correct the irregular shape
- Contact lenses (toric lenses) designed for astigmatism
- Refractive surgery (e.g., LASIK or PRK) in suitable candidates
⚠️ Complications
- If uncorrected, can cause chronic eyestrain or headaches
- May worsen if associated with other refractive errors
🛡️ Prevention & Management
- Regular eye exams
- Early correction to avoid eyestrain
- Proper lens prescription and care