Not all vision issues can be readily fixed with a regular pair of glasses or contact lenses. If your vision issues are increased by astigmatism, you could need the help of a trained optometrist in diagnosing and treating this disorder.
At Harlem VistaSite Eye Care in New York City, Brittni Rodriguez, OD, can diagnose astigmatism and help you find the right solution. From noninvasive options to surgical correction, she can design a solution to improve your vision.
In order to see clearly, your eyes require a specific curvature of the lens and cornea. When the lens or cornea curves abnormally, forming an egg shape, light entering your eyes is bent. The images projected to the back of your eyes, therefore, are not sharp. This distortion often results in vision problems beyond nearsightedness and farsightedness.
Most cases of astigmatism are hereditary and appear at birth. For some people, the condition can develop later in life. Eye injuries or surgeries may also cause astigmatism due to corneal damage. Vision problems due to astigmatism can get worse as time goes on.
If you have any of the following five symptoms, you should get your eyes examined to find out if you have astigmatism:
One of the top symptoms of astigmatism is vision that is blurry or distorted. Objects may appear stretched, parts of an image may appear to jump out at you, or you might experience double vision.
Poor night vision can also be a sign of astigmatism, because the low amount of light reaching your eyes can magnify the issues with how it’s refracted.
Nagging headaches that center around the eyes are a common sign of the eye strain associated with astigmatism.
Having to squint in order to see can also be a sign of astigmatism. If you’re nearsighted and wear glasses, but you still need to squint to see, this could be why.
The constant struggle to focus can make your eyes feel tired and cause fatigue. Correcting astigmatism can often remove these issues.
Astigmatism can be corrected with special glasses, special contact lenses known as toric lenses, or refractive surgery, such as LASIK. If you have astigmatism, Dr. Rodriguez will go over your options and get you on the path to seeing clearly again. To learn more, book an appointment online or over the phone with Harlem VistaSite Eye Care today.
