Astigmatism is a relatively common eye disorder caused by irregularly-shaped corneas. Although many people have slight astigmatism that requires no treatment, untreated astigmatism can lead to eye discomfort and headaches.
At Fishman & Sheridan eyeCare Specialists, we provide a full range of glasses and contacts to correct your vision, eliminate discomfort, and allow you to return to your daily activities. In particular, Drs. Jeffrey Sheridan and Craig Fishman offer advanced toric contact lenses at all three of our convenient locations in Leesburg, FL, Clermont, FL, and Eustis, FL.
Because an astigmatism affects the eye's ability to focus light, affected patients often have blurred vision at both close and far distances.
What Is Astigmatism?
In a normally functioning eye, the cornea and lens bend light in order to focus it squarely in the center of the retina at the back of the eye. Light is then translated into electrical signals that travel to the brain, where it is constructed into a comprehensive image.
Some of the most common symptoms of astigmatism are eyestrain, eye fatigue, and headaches.
An astigmatism simply means that either the cornea or lens in the eye are irregularly-shaped. As a result, light is distributed into several places on the retina instead of into the same place. Objects may consequently be blurry at both close-up and far-off distances. However, because we still struggle to see clearly despite the blurriness, some of the most common symptoms of astigmatism are eyestrain, eye fatigue, and headaches.
The causes of astigmatism are unclear. Some patients are born with the condition, while others develop it over time or after an eye injury. It often occurs in conjunction with myopia or hyperopia.
Diagnosing Astigmatism
Our doctors typically check for astigmatism during every routine eye exam, but can also conduct a thorough examination if you are suffering from otherwise unexplained eyestrain and headaches. There are a number of methods available for diagnosis, including:
- Visual acuity test: Also known as an eye chart exam, this test measures your eyesight at various distances based on a standard measurement of 20 feet. 20/20 vision is considered to be perfect “eyesight.”
- Keratometry and topography test: A keratometry test gauges the curvature of the cornea by shining a light on the surface of the eye and observing the refraction. A topography test generates a 3-D map of the cornea based off of the resulting measurements.
- Refraction test: During this test, the doctor places several lenses of different strengths in front of your eye and measures the refraction of light with a retinoscope to determine the best prescription for corrective lenses.
Based off the results of these tests, the doctor can recommend the most appropriate treatment plan for your needs and lifestyle.
Treatment Options for Astigmatism
After determining the cause of your blurred vision, Dr. Fishman or Dr. Sheridan will typically prescribe corrective lenses. Depending on your preference, we offer a full selection of both traditional glasses and contact lenses. In addition to hard lenses, we now provide soft toric lenses, as well. These soft contacts have built-in “visual zones” and are usually more comfortable than rigid lenses.
Clear Your Vision Today
If you want to enjoy sharp eyesight and a newfound sense of freedom, contact us online today to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors. You can also reach our office at (352) 360-2301.
