Astigmatismalmost always occurs in both eyes.
The condition can occur in only one eye, but that is usually the result of a physical injury.
Verywell / Theresa Chiechi
What Is Astigmatism?
Verywell / Theresa Chiechi
Astigmatism is a fancy word that is used to describe a malfunction of the way vision works.
This condition can be the result of a misshapen cornea.
Astigmatism causes people to have blurry, slanted or distorted vision.
Astigmatism is a refractive error because it affects how the eye refracts, or bends light.
It is a vision disorder in which the eye focuses light on theretinaat two points instead of just one.
People with astigmatism sometimes complain of blurred, distorted, slanted, ordouble vision.
Astigmatism almost always occurs in both eyes and is usually quite symmetrical between the two.
Astigmatism in large amounts is often inherited.
Astigmatism can occur in one eye but this is most often due to a traumatic injury.
The cornea may have areas that are flatter or steeper than others, resulting in distorted vision.
Thecrystalline lensinside the eye may also be tilted slightly, causing astigmatism.
In addition, astigmatism can be because of an irregular eyelid or heavy tissue pressing down on the eye.
Astigmatism is very common and usually treated or corrected by wearing glasses or contact lenses.
Refractive surgery such asLASIKor astigmatic keratectomy can also be helpful in treating astigmatism.
Some symptoms of astigmatismmay occur alone, but others might occur together.
Astigmatism is common in children, though they may not complain about blurry or distorted vision.
Regular eye exams are a way to detect astigmatism or other vision problems in children and adolescents.
Diagnosing and Treating Astigmatism
Your eye doctor may diagnose astigmatism by conducting a variety of tests.
Astigmatism is corrected by focusing light rays on a single plane.
This can be accomplished by prescribing eyeglasses or contacts or be performing astigmatic keratotomy.
Frequently Asked Questions
About 40% of adults have astigmatism and most cases are in both eyes.
Other refractive errors, or those that affect how the eye bends light, are common.
Astigmatism can blur or distort vision, but it does not cause blindness.
If the astigmatism is mild to moderate, Lasik can correct vision in most cases.
For more severe astigmatism, the procedure is less reliable.
Astigmatism is a structural issue with the curvature of the cornea or lens.
There aren’t natural treatments that will change the structure of your eye.
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American Academy of Ophthalmology.If you have astigmatism in one eye do you always have it in the other eye?
National Eye Institute.Refractive errors.
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About common eye disorders and diseases.
National Eye Institute.Amblyopia (lazy eye).
American Academy of Ophthalmology.LASIK for myopia and astigmatism: safety and efficacy.
