Astigmatism is a common and generally treatable imperfection in the curvature of your eye that causes blurred distance and near vision.
Astigmatism occurs when either the front surface of your eye (cornea) or the lens, inside your eye, has mismatched curves. Instead of having one curve like a round ball, the surface is rugby ball shaped. This causes blurred vision at all distances.
Signs and symptoms of astigmatism may include:
Children may not realize their vision is blurry, so they need to be screened for eye disease and have their vision tested by a qualified professional on an annual basis.
Your eye has two structures with curved surfaces that bend (refract) light onto the retina, which makes the images:
In a perfectly shaped eye, each of these elements has a round curvature, like the surface of a smooth ball. A cornea and lens with such curvature bend (refract) all incoming light to make a sharply focused image directly on the retina, at the back of your eye.
If either your cornea or lens is egg shaped with two mismatched curves, light rays aren't bent properly, causing a refractive error. This makes a blurry image. Astigmatism is a type of refractive error.
Astigmatism occurs when your cornea or lens is curved more steeply in one direction than in another. You have corneal astigmatism if your cornea has mismatched curves. You have lenticular astigmatism if your lens has mismatched curves.
Either type of astigmatism can cause blurred vision.
Astigmatism may be present from birth, or it may develop with age.
If either your cornea or lens is egg shaped with two mismatched curves, light rays aren't bent properly, causing a refractive error. This makes a blurry image. Astigmatism is a type of refractive error.
Astigmatism occurs when your cornea or lens is curved more steeply in one direction than in another. You have corneal astigmatism if your cornea has mismatched curves. You have lenticular astigmatism if your lens has mismatched curves.
Either type of astigmatism can cause blurred vision.
Astigmatism may be present from birth, or it may develop with age.
You will require an eye examination if your eye symptoms detract from your enjoyment of activities or interfere with your ability to perform everyday tasks. An eye examination can determine whether you have astigmatism and, if so, to what degree.
If you have any concerns about your own or your child’s eyes or suspect they may have astigmatism – Please don’t hesitate to contact the clinic on 021 4341030 or bgolchin@corkeyeclinic.ie