What is Astigmatism? Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Methods

Astigmatism is an eye problem caused by irregularities in the cornea or lens that make up the eye structure. Patients experience blurred vision for both near and distant objects. Symptoms develop gradually and do not worsen due to factors such as bright light or fatigue. It can occur commonly, independently of variables such as age or gender. Astigmatism often presents with symptoms such as light streaks and blurred vision. Tools such as contact lenses and glasses can be used for treatment. Laser-assisted surgical interventions can be applied in patients with severe astigmatism.

What is Astigmatism?

Astigmatism is a vision problem experienced due to structural irregularities in the eyeball, which should ideally be completely round and similar to a tennis ball in a healthy patient. Due to the shape of the eye, light entering the eye may be refracted, causing distortions in the image. After entering the eye, light rays reach a focal point either in front of or behind where they should fall. Therefore, unlike other vision problems, difficulties can be experienced in both near and distance vision. The irregular focusing of the rays can result in a wavy and blurred image. The patient may also experience problems with night vision and struggle with headaches. The condition can be congenital or acquired later in life. The course of the disease may vary depending on variables such as the patient's general eye health and the treatments applied.

What Are the Symptoms of Astigmatism?

Astigmatism generally manifests with impaired vision and blurred images. Symptoms of astigmatism can be listed as follows:

Blurred and distorted vision,

Difficulty focusing the image, wavy image,

Eye strain and feeling of discomfort,

Misalignment of gaze, strabismus,

Headaches,

Squinting to improve vision,

Impaired night vision.

Astigmatism can cause difficulties for drivers traveling by car at night. Night travel should be avoided as much as possible. Taking precautions against light sensitivity can also alleviate symptoms.

How Does Astigmatism Occur?

Unlike astigmatism and myopia, patients experiencing astigmatism have vision complaints for all distances. When children have astigmatism, symptoms may not be fully understood. Children may not be able to express their complaints fully. In this case, parents need to monitor the child's condition and observe changes. The child squinting when looking around or frequently rubbing their eyes can help with diagnosis. For adults, general blurred vision, image fluctuation, and decreased night vision quality can be considered as differences between astigmatism and myopia.

Although astigmatism arises from irregularities in the shape of the eyeball, this deformation cannot be understood by looking from the outside. Certain eye tests may need to be applied to make an accurate diagnosis of astigmatism.

How is Astigmatism Diagnosed?

For the diagnosis of astigmatism, your complaints and symptoms can be examined first during the examination. Certain tests and diagnostic methods can be utilized to make a definitive diagnosis. Some of the methods that can be used for diagnosing astigmatism are as follows:

Visual acuity test: A test containing letters and symbols applied to detect vision disorders. It can be preferred when determining myopic astigmatism degrees.

Refraction test: A diagnostic method used to measure the refraction of light entering the eye.

Keratometry: Can be used to measure the amount of curvature in the cornea. It can help in making a decision when there is suspicion of astigmatism in the eye.

Slit-lamp examination: A specialized microscope that allows a light to be shone into the eye. It can enable the examination of different layers and parts of the eye.

Corneal topography: This method allows the examination of the finest details of the cornea. Small images are captured with the aid of a device, and a color map of the cornea can be created.

How is Astigmatism Treated?

After being diagnosed with astigmatism, certain methods can be applied to improve the disease and increase patient comfort. Some of the methods that can be used for astigmatism treatment are:

Eyeglasses: Astigmatism can be alleviated by using eyeglasses. Thanks to eyeglasses, the irregular refraction of light can be minimized, and vision quality can be improved. Although it does not offer a definitive treatment opportunity, it can improve the patient's vision as long as it is used.

Contact lenses: Myopic astigmatism can be treated using lenses, but this treatment is temporary, just like with eyeglasses. Although astigmatism lenses correct blurred vision during use, symptoms return once the lenses are removed.

Refractive surgery: Surgical methods can be used to permanently reduce the complaint of astigmatism. Laser support can be utilized for astigmatism surgery. Laser treatment, also known as eye scraping for astigmatism, is preferred to correct the curvature in the cornea. Apart from laser treatment for astigmatism, symptoms can also be alleviated by making an incision in the corneal epithelium and repositioning it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Astigmatism can be evaluated as a general blurring of vision. Difficulty seeing can be experienced regardless of near or distant distance. Astigmatism can also cause a decrease in night vision. Due to light sensitivity, symptoms of fatigue in the eyes can be experienced faster than normal. Complaints such as dryness and redness in the eyes may also be seen. When infants experience astigmatism, frequent eye rubbing may occur due to these symptoms. Eye problems in babies are usually detected during routine check-ups. People experiencing astigmatism problems may have trouble seeing both far and near. Astigmatism results from the incorrect refraction of light as it enters the eye due to irregularities in the shape of the cornea. Problems with vision can occur when the light rays reaching the eye gather in front of or behind the focal point. Irregular refractions of light can lead to images arriving without sharp boundaries and the emergence of blurred images. Eyeglasses, lenses, and surgical treatments can be applied to correct vision. People experiencing astigmatism problems can improve their vision by using eyeglasses, but stopping the use of eyeglasses does not cause symptoms to worsen. Astigmatism occurs in conditions such as elongation and widening of the eye structure. Therefore, it can occur due to reasons such as accidents, eye surgeries, and genetic factors. Situations such as low light usage and following electronic devices too closely may not have an effect on astigmatism numbers. Since lens and glasses use temporarily improves symptoms, their use depends on the patient's preference. The age and conditions at which astigmatism complaints will be experienced can progress personally. While some patients experience it congenitally, it may appear after adulthood in others. In children with astigmatism complaints at a young age, the astigmatism image may decrease with growth. However, this spontaneous recovery condition generally disappears after the ages of 5-6. Generally, the worsening of astigmatism symptoms stabilizes and stops in individuals reaching the age of 25. The measurement of astigmatism can be made with the help of a scale showing axis positioning between 0 and 180 degrees. Astigmatism measurement is expressed in diopters, which indicate the light-refracting power of the lens. Values lower than 1.00 diopter can be evaluated as mild astigmatism, and values between 2.00 and 3.00 as severe astigmatism. All values above 3.00 and 4.00 diopters are considered extreme impairment and may require urgent intervention. Astigmatism can show improvement with growth when experienced at an early age. The corneal structure causing astigmatism can change and worsen over time. Although rare, this situation can also happen in a positive direction. However, it is not possible to say that this situation is always seen. Therefore, it is important to keep astigmatism under control and continue regular eye examinations. It may be appropriate to utilize tools such as eyeglasses and lenses to improve the patient's vision. Methods that can be accepted as a definitive solution, such as laser treatment and surgical intervention, can be utilized in some patients. Astigmatism stems from the curvature in the cornea. Curvature found in the cornea and eye structure can be experienced due to various reasons. Although genetic transmission is not directly experienced, the risk of it being seen in a person with parents experiencing astigmatism problems can be considered higher. Injuries and accidents affecting the eye can result in the deterioration of the eye structure. Astigmatism can also occur as a result of a disease called keratoconus, where the round corneal structure acquires a more cone-like form. Complications experienced due to treatments and surgical interventions preferred for the treatment of different diseases in the eye can also result in impairments in vision. There are opinions that the weakening of the muscles inside and around the eye is effective on the causes of vision complaints. Therefore, the idea that some exercises performed can improve vision can be shared among the public. Astigmatism exercises are not recommended by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Dripping herbal extract into the eye and applying kohl should also not be preferred, and scientifically proven methods should be utilized as much as possible. Astigmatism is related to light refraction and generally does not cause dry eyes. Since astigmatism causes light sensitivity to be seen, it can lead to problems such as eye fatigue and redness. Lens use may be preferred for some patients for astigmatism treatment. During lens use, problems such as eye redness and dryness complaints can be seen. However, this situation is a condition originating from lens use. Similar complaints are experienced if lenses are used in vision problems such as myopia and hyperopia. The astigmatism number can remain constant in some patients or show an increase. After a period of time following the application of the astigmatism test, blurring in vision may occur despite using your glasses. This situation may indicate that the astigmatism number has grown. Generally, the astigmatism number stabilizes and stops growing in individuals over 25 years of age. However, routine eye examinations should still be continued, and necessary interventions should be applied. If you are also experiencing symptoms such as blurred vision at near or far distances, headaches, or eye strain, you can make an appointment with our expert ophthalmologists without losing time.