If you haveastigmatism, your vision may be blurry and distorted instead of sharp and crisp.
While many people have this condition to some degree, it can affect some more severely than others.
Living with astigmatismcan be confounding, with blurry vision at both near and far distances.
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In some cases, straight lines may appear wavy or distorted.
Terms to Know
All astigmatism is not the same.
Or, you may be farsighted, typically with difficulty seeing up close, and have astigmatism.
Astigmatism That Gets Worse
If astigmatism is mild enough, you may only have slightly blurry vision.
To avoid this, see an eye care provider who can correct the astigmatism and treat any amblyopia.
High amounts of astigmatism or advancing astigmatism can be a sign of keratoconus.
In keratoconus, the cornea bulges into a cone shape rather than being a round dome.
This will ensure that the light strikes the retina in the correct place.
Toric contact lenses, which may be rigid or soft, are needed for moderate astigmatism.
They are designed to compensate for the irregular shape of the cornea.
Surgery
Laser eye surgery procedures can permanently correct astigmatism by reshaping the cornea.
This allows light rays to fall correctly on the light-sensitive retina.
Whether you are a candidate for laser eye surgery depends on the amount of astigmatism.
These procedures are not recommended if you have keratoconus.
If you do not have an eye specialist, ask those you know for a recommendation.
A satisfied former patient can be a great source for finding an eye specialist you like.
You may also wish to look online to find practitioners in your area.
You canfind a nearby optometristorlocate an ophthalmologistthis way.
This may lead to eye strain, headaches, and difficulty driving at night.
Treatment options for astigmatism include glasses or contacts.
For appropriate candidates, surgical correction may also be an option.
NVISION.How do you see the world if you have astigmatism.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Astigmatism.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Types of amblyopia.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Can glasses fully correct my astigmatism?
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Which is better for astigmatism – glasses or contacts?
NVISION.Is there a cure for astigmatism?
