Astigmatism - What Is It and How Can It Be Properly Diagnosed and Corrected?

Astigmatism is a common eye condition that affects the way light enters the eye, resulting in blurry or distorted vision. It occurs when the cornea or lens has an irregular shape, causing light to focus unevenly on the retina.

To properly diagnose astigmatism, an eye doctor will perform a comprehensive eye examination, which may include a visual acuity test, refraction test, and corneal topography. These tests will help determine the presence and severity of astigmatism.

Once diagnosed, astigmatism can be corrected using various methods including eyeglasses, contact lenses, and refractive surgery. Eyeglasses with cylindrical lenses can compensate for the irregular curvature of the cornea or lens, allowing light to focus properly on the retina.

Contact lenses, including toric lenses, are also effective in correcting astigmatism. Toric lenses have different powers in different meridians to correct the uneven focusing caused by astigmatism.

In some cases, refractive surgery such as LASIK or PRK may be recommended to permanently correct astigmatism. These procedures reshape the cornea to achieve a more symmetrical curvature, improving vision.