Do you find yourself squinting to see things far away or up close? It could be that you have astigmatism. This eye condition occurs when your eye's cornea, the clear front surface, isn’t curved evenly. This causes light to bend (refract) differently as it enters your eye, which results in a blurry image. We treat astigmatism and other eye conditions at Optics Soho in Riverview and Tampa, FL.
Diganosing Astigmatism
There are a few different ways that astigmatism can be diagnosed. The first way is by using a refraction test, where the optometrist uses a machine to measure how light is being bent as it passes through the eye. This test will give the optometrist an idea of what kind of prescription you need to correct your vision. Another way to diagnose astigmatism is with a retinoscopy. This is where the eye doctor shines a light in your eye while looking through a lens at the back of your eye. We use this to determine how well your eye is focusing light.
Astigmatism Symptoms
There are two types of astigmatism: regular (or simple) astigmatism and irregular (or complex) astigmatism. Regular astigmatism is caused by an unevenly curved cornea, while an unevenly curved lens causes irregular astigmatism. The most common symptom of astigmatism is blurred or distorted vision. Other symptoms include eye fatigue, headaches, and difficulty seeing at night. If you experience any of these symptoms, see an optometrist or an ophthalmologist for a comprehensive eye exam.
Treatment Options for Astigmatism
There are several ways to treat astigmatism and the best method depends on the severity of the condition. For mild astigmatism, eyeglasses or contact lenses may be all that is needed to correct vision. For more severe cases, refractive surgery may be necessary.
Refractive surgery involves changing the shape of the cornea. There are many types of refractive surgery, but they all work to correct vision by bending light correctly so it hits the back of the eye correctly. The most common type of refractive surgery for astigmatism is LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileuses).
Contact Optics Soho for Astigmatism Treatment
At Optics Soho, we are here to address all of your vision needs. You can experience high-quality personal care from our team of optometrists that are dedicated to helping you achieve your vision goals. Call our Tampa office today at (813) 254-2020 or our Riverview office at (813) 643-7300. You can also reach us through our website by using our online contact form.