Astigmatism is a defect of the eye that is created when there is a deviation or change from the normal curve (a sphere). This means that your eye may be shaped more like an egg or oval, which distorts the way you see.
When the eye is a different shape than normal, light rays can't meet in a common place. That means that it is harder, or impossible, to focus. That creates the blurry vision that many people with astigmatism have.
What Are the Signs of Astigmatism?
Some of the signs of astigmatism include not being able to focus on items close up or far away. People who have astigmatism may also have other refractive errors such as nearsightedness or farsightedness.
Some common symptoms include:
- Blurry vision
- Distorted vision
- Headaches
- Eyestrain
- Discomfort in the eyes
- Squinting
For adults, it's easy to know that there's something causing your vision to be blurry. However, children may not be sure if they can see well, which is why it's essential to take them to the optometrists in Arvada as soon as possible.
What Treatments Are There For Astigmatism
There are a few different treatments for astigmatism. Like for most vision issues, you can get contact lenses, glasses and may be eligible for laser surgery as well. However, the more interesting treatment is called Ortho-K. This treatment requires you to wear breathable contact lenses at night that correct the shape of your eyes. By doing this, you're able to take out the contact lenses in the morning and see clearly.
Astigmatism can be present from birth or may develop later in life. If you've developed new astigmatism, then it's important to talk to your CO optometrists at your eye exam about the treatments that may work best for you.
Contact AOC to Learn More and Set Up an Appointment
If you're ready to learn more about the treatments available for astigmatism or you need an annual check-up, call us today. At AOC, we're excited to welcome new patients to our clinic. Whether you're coming for your child's first eye exam or you've been struggling with deteriorating vision, we can take steps to help correct your vision and get you seeing properly again. Call us today at (303) 424-5282 to learn more about what we offer, the insurance plans we take and other information. We're happy to set up an appointment with you at your earliest convenience.