What causes astigmatism?
What is Astigmatism?
Astigmatism is a common vision condition that affects the way light enters your eye. It occurs when the cornea, or front surface of your eye, has an irregular shape. This causes blurred vision at all distances and can make it difficult to focus on objects both near and far away.
Astigmatism can be caused by genetics or other factors such as trauma to the eye, certain diseases like keratoconus, or even wearing contact lenses for too long without taking breaks in between wearings. Treatment options include glasses with specially designed lenses to correct astigmatism as well as laser surgery which reshapes the cornea so that light entering it is focused properly onto your retina resulting in clearer vision overall.
Causes of Astigmatism
Astigmatism is a common eye condition that affects the shape of the cornea, resulting in blurred vision. There are several causes for astigmatism, including genetics and lifestyle factors.
Genetics: Genetics play an important role in determining whether or not someone will develop astigmatism. If one or both of your parents have it, you may be more likely to get it as well. Additionally, some people are born with an irregularly shaped cornea which can cause astigmatism from birth.
Lifestyle Factors: Poor nutrition and lack of exercise can contribute to developing astigmatism over time due to changes in the shape of your eyes caused by aging and other health issues such as diabetes or high blood pressure that affect vision health negatively over time if left untreated. In addition, certain activities like reading too close up for long periods without taking breaks can also lead to temporary blurring due to eyestrain which could eventually become permanent if not addressed properly with regular eye exams and proper care for your eyesight overall.
Finally environmental factors like UV radiation exposure from sunlight (without adequate protection) has been linked with increased risk for developing this condition as well since unprotected exposure increases chances of damage occurring on delicate parts inside our eyes such as our lenses & retinas leading them towards becoming distorted overtime thus causing blurry vision & other symptoms associated with Astigmatic conditions.
Risk Factors for Developing Astigmatism
Astigmatism is a common eye condition that can cause blurred vision. While it’s not always clear what causes astigmatism, there are certain risk factors that may increase your chances of developing the condition.
Age: Astigmatism often develops in children and young adults, but it can occur at any age. As you get older, your eyes naturally change shape which increases the likelihood of developing astigmatism.
Genetics: If one or both parents have astigmatism then their children are more likely to develop the condition as well due to genetic predisposition for eye shape abnormalities such as this one.
Eye Injury or Surgery: Any type of trauma to the eye could potentially lead to an irregularity in its shape and thus result in astigmatic vision problems down the line if left untreated by a doctor or optometrist immediately after injury occurs.
Diseases & Conditions: Certain diseases like diabetes and multiple sclerosis (MS) can affect how our eyes work leading them into an abnormal state where they become misshapen resulting in blurry vision caused by astigmatic refractive errors. Additionally, conditions such as keratoconus—a progressive thinning disorder—can also contribute towards development of this particular visual impairment over time if left unchecked with regular visits from ophthalmologists/optometrists who specialize specifically on these types issues related directly with our sight health care needs.
Diagnosing and Treating Astigmatism
Astigmatism is a common eye condition that affects the shape of your cornea, which can cause blurred vision. Diagnosing and treating astigmatism is important for maintaining good eye health.
Your optometrist or ophthalmologist will be able to diagnose astigmatism by performing a comprehensive eye exam and using specialized testing equipment such as keratometry or topography. During this exam, they may also measure the curvature of your cornea to determine if you have an irregularly shaped one that could be causing your blurry vision.
Once diagnosed with astigmatism, there are several treatment options available depending on its severity:
– Eyeglasses: Wearing eyeglasses with lenses specifically designed for correcting astigmatic refractive errors can help improve clarity in vision by reshaping light rays entering the eyes so they focus properly on the retina at all distances;
– Contact Lenses: Soft contact lenses are often used to correct mild cases of astigmatisms because their flexible material conforms better than rigid gas permeable (RGP) contacts do;
– Refractive Surgery: Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) surgery has been proven effective in treating moderate levels of nearsightedness and farsightedness caused by an irregularly shaped cornea due to Astigmatism;
– Orthokeratology/Corneal Reshaping Therapy (CRT): This non-invasive procedure involves wearing specially designed contact lenses overnight while sleeping which gently reshape the front surface of your eyes over time without any permanent changes being made – allowing you improved clear sight during waking hours without having glasses or contacts!
Living with and Managing Symptoms of Astigmatism
Living with and managing symptoms of astigmatism can be a challenge. Astigmatism is an eye condition that causes blurred vision due to the shape of your cornea or lens being irregular. It can cause difficulty in seeing both near and far objects, as well as headaches, eyestrain, squinting and fatigue.
Fortunately, there are ways to manage the symptoms associated with astigmatism so you can continue living life without disruption from this condition. Here are some tips for living with astigmatism:
- Wear glasses or contact lenses prescribed by your optometrist – these will help correct any refractive errors caused by the irregular shape of your cornea or lens;
- Use artificial tears when needed – they help keep eyes moist which reduces irritation;
- Take regular breaks from looking at screens such as computers/phones/tablets – this helps reduce eyestrain;
- Get plenty of restful sleep each night – lack of sleep has been linked to worsening vision problems like astigmatism;
- Eat a healthy diet full of fruits & vegetables – good nutrition helps maintain overall health including eye health!
By following these simple steps you should be able to manage any discomfort caused by having an irregular shaped cornea or lens while still enjoying all aspects life has to offer!