Astigmatism
While many are familiar with being short-sighted or long-sighted, astigmatism is a frequently misunderstood refractive error that can impact the clarity of your vision at all distances. Unlike other conditions that primarily affect vision either far away or up close, astigmatism can result in a constant level of blur or distortion that makes everyday tasks more fatiguing for the eyes.
What is Astigmatism?
Astigmatism arises most commonly due to an irregularly shaped cornea, the clear, protective window that sits over the coloured iris at the front of the eye. In a perfectly shaped eye, the cornea is curved evenly like a round ball. However, with astigmatism, the cornea is curved more like an Australian rules football.
This irregular curvature prevents light from hitting a single focal point on the retina. Instead, light is focused in multiple positions, leading to vision that appears stretched or shadowed. The most common visual symptom of astigmatism is the presence of halos or the flaring of lights, which is often most noticeable when driving at night or looking at digital screens.
Professional Management & Correction
Luckily, most refractive errors can be successfully managed following a thorough eye exam at Acuity Eyecare. During a comprehensive eye exam, our optometrists will precisely measure the degree of your corneal curvature to determine the best corrective path for your specific lifestyle.
Standard astigmatism is typically corrected with specialised spectacle lenses or toric contact lenses. For those seeking an alternative to daytime wear, we also offer Ortho-K. This treatment involves gently and temporarily reshaping the cornea overnight, which can be used to correct several refractive errors, including astigmatism.