ALL ABOUT ASTIGMATISM

Astigmatism is caused by an irregularly shaped cornea, which causes light to refract or bend incorrectly within your eye. This bend prevents the light from correctly focusing on the retina, which often results in blurred or double vision. When a cornea is perfectly round, light passes through the eye and focuses on one spot on the retina. Nearly half of the U.S. population has some level of refractive error, and 1 in 3 have astigmatism.

Astigmatism is a unique refractive error because it can be present in people with nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia) and presbyopia, and it affects people of all ages.

Blurriness from astigmatism can range from a small fuzz around text to high levels of distortion. Not everyone needs glasses for astigmatism since it can be so slight. However, your eyes can change and astigmatism can worsen so you still need to get regular eye exams. In severe cases, astigmatism can make simple visual tasks like watching TV or reading a text message nearly impossible. The good news is you’ll have a few options to restore your vision. You can choose between contacts or glasses for astigmatism.

Prescription glasses are the most effective option due to the ability to correct astigmatism with extreme precision. Glasses for astigmatism are typically a single-vision lens, but bifocals may be recommended for those over 40. Astigmatism contact lenses—or toric contacts—have become much more accurate and are preferred over hard contacts. In some cases, eye surgery may be recommended. A comprehensive eye exam will quickly determine if you have astigmatism, and if so, the best corrective method to accommodate your lifestyle.

Why an Annual Eye Exam is Important
Maintaining good eye health goes far beyond making sure our vision isn't blurry. Eye doctors conduct a wide variety of tests to examine and assess the quality and health of your vision.

Common Eye Conditions
Learn about the common eye disorders and diseases such as astigmatism, hyperopia, myopia, and more.

We look forward to serving all of your eyewear and eye care needs.