What are the Symptoms of Astigmatism?

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What is Astigmatism?

Astigmatism, an eye condition that is usually congenital and can last a lifetime if left untreated, is a blurred or distorted vision condition that occurs due to the eye’s inability to focus light correctly. The irregular focusing of light causes this inability to focus due to the irregular shape of the cornea or lens on the front surface of the eyes of people with astigmatism. This causes near and distance vision problems.

Many people have very low levels of astigmatism and may not have serious problems. However, if astigmatism progresses, the vision problem may become apparent. In such cases, astigmatism may need to be treated as the quality of vision will be affected.

What Causes Astigmatism?

We mentioned that astigmatism is a vision problem that occurs mainly as a result of the inability to focus the light coming from outside correctly in the eye. So what causes astigmatism? For this, let’s first briefly remember what the cornea is.

The cornea is a transparent, spherical tissue located at the front of the eye and is the first area where light from the outside comes into contact with the eye. This tissue, which should be spherical under normal conditions, may have an oval or elliptical shape in people with astigmatism. In the simplest terms, the main cause of astigmatism is due to this shape difference. In a smooth, spherical cornea, light from the outside can focus on a single point, but in an astigmatic eye, this difference in shape causes light to focus on more than one point. Light focused at more than one point results in blurred vision.

So, what are the causes of astigmatism? We can list the main ones as follows:

• Genetic Factors: Astigmatism is a genetically transmitted eye condition. Therefore, if the parents have astigmatism, it is likely to be seen in children.
• Eye Injuries: Impacts on the eye can cause changes in the shape of the cornea and lead to astigmatism.
• Keratoconus and Other Eye Diseases: Some eye diseases, such as keratoconus, can cause the cornea to become thinner and cone-shaped, which can exacerbate astigmatism.
• Changes after eye surgery: After some surgical interventions, such as cataract surgery, astigmatism may develop or the degree of astigmatism may change.

Whether astigmatism will progress or not is also one of the curious issues. The answer to this question may not be the same for everyone. It is possible to treat astigmatism by monitoring the degree of astigmatism with regular eye examinations, using glasses or lenses when necessary, or by surgical methods.

What are the Symptoms of Astigmatism?

Like the progression of astigmatism, the symptoms may also differ from person to person. One common symptom of astigmatism, which is generally known to progress slowly, is blurred vision caused by the inability to focus light properly. Blurred vision can occur at both near and far distances, and objects or text may appear shadowed or double.

We can list the symptoms of astigmatism as follows:

• Blurred or distorted vision: It is a common symptom of astigmatism that letters appear shadowed, especially when looking at a computer screen or a book page.
• Headaches and eye strain: Due to blurred vision, people with astigmatism strain their eye muscles to try to see clearly. If this condition persists in the long term, it can cause headaches and eye fatigue.
• Difficulty with night vision: People with astigmatism may see glare or scattering around lights at night. Especially when driving, the light emitted by headlights and street lamps can disturb the eyes.
• Squinting: Squinting to see clearly can become a habit for people with astigmatism.

Double vision or shadowy vision: Especially when reading small print or looking at bright screens, you may notice that words and letters appear shadowed.

If you have these symptoms, you may need to consult an ophthalmologist. Astigmatism detected in the early stages with regular examinations can be controlled with appropriate treatment methods.

What is the Difference Between Astigmatism and Myopia?

The question of what is the difference between astigmatism and myopia is another curious question. Both are vision problems caused by refractive errors in the eye. However, the prominent differences between them are related to how light is focused and its effects on vision. The problem with myopia is the inability to see far away clearly, whereas, with astigmatism, both near and far vision can be blurred.

We can explain the differences between astigmatism and myopia as follows:

• Focusing Problem: In myopia, the cornea and the lens refract light in such a way that it falls in front of the retina, causing distant objects to appear blurred. In astigmatism, due to the problem caused by the shape of the cornea and the lens of the eye, light focuses on more than one point and visual disturbances occur.
• Vision Shape: Myopic people do not have problems with near vision. They only experience blurred vision in distant objects. People with astigmatism, on the other hand, see both distant and far objects blurred or shadowed.
• Glasses and Lens Use: Myopia can be corrected with the use of negative prescription lenses or contact lenses. Astigmatism can be corrected by using special toric lenses or glasses with cylindrical lenses.
• Symptoms: Symptoms in myopia include nearsightedness, squinting when looking far away, and headaches are common. In astigmatism, there is a general vision problem, independent of distance or near. Visual complaints in the form of blurred or shaded vision are accompanied by eye strain and headache.

The visual defect in both cases can be corrected with glasses, lenses, or laser surgery. However, since the condition is more complicated in astigmatism, the lenses used for correction may be more specialized. For this reason, it is important to make the correct diagnosis with a detailed examination by an ophthalmologist in the treatment of astigmatism.

Is Astigmatism Genetic?

It is known that genetic transmission plays an important role in the formation of astigmatism. If one or both parents have astigmatism, the child is more likely to develop astigmatism. In the case of genetic transmission, astigmatism may be present in the child from birth or may become more pronounced later in life.

Abnormal curvature of the cornea or lens of the eye, which is also the cause of blurred vision in astigmatism, may develop due to genetic predisposition. However, it does not follow from this that astigmatism is a vision problem shaped entirely by genetic factors. Environmental factors, eye trauma, eye surgery, and some eye diseases can also cause astigmatism to occur or progress.

Because it is one of the main factors causing astigmatism, people with a genetic predisposition need to have regular eye examinations. Early detection can help improve the quality of life by minimizing the effects of astigmatism.

How is Astigmatism Detected in Children?

Astigmatism can be difficult to diagnose at a young age as children may not be able to verbalize their vision-related problems. Children at an early age may not realize that blurred vision is a problem, as they may not yet have a clear idea of what normal vision would be. Therefore, parents and teachers need to monitor children’s visual behavior and pay attention to the symptoms for early diagnosis.

Some of the symptoms that may give an idea of whether children have astigmatism are as follows:

• Blurred vision of the blackboard or books: Difficulty seeing the blackboard at school or difficulty clarifying letters while reading a book.
• Squinting: Squinting or trying to look by holding the head at a certain angle.
• Headaches and eye strain: A headache caused by constantly straining the eyes to clarify vision.
• Attention deficit and learning difficulties: Lack of concentration in classes caused by persistent vision problems, which negatively affects success in school.
• Poor night vision: Difficulty seeing in dim light or at night.

Although these symptoms give an idea, they are not enough to provide definitive information. An ophthalmologist should be consulted for the definitive diagnosis of astigmatism in children. Regular eye examinations, especially in preschool and primary school, are very important for the early diagnosis and treatment of visual disorders in children.

How is Astigmatism Treated?

The treatment of astigmatism varies depending on the person’s eye structure and how far the astigmatism has progressed. Mild astigmatism usually does not require intervention. However, some treatment methods can be applied in case of severe astigmatism.

The main methods used in the treatment of astigmatism can be listed as follows:

• Use of Glasses: Special glasses with cylindrical lenses are one of the most commonly used methods to correct astigmatism. These lenses provide a clear vision by focusing the light at the right point.
• Contact Lenses: Toric contact lenses are an effective solution for those who prefer lenses to glasses. These lenses are designed to eliminate the problem of astigmatism.
• Orthokeratology (Night Lenses): Orthokeratology is a method that provides temporary correction of astigmatism and therefore requires regular use. In this method, lenses specially designed to treat astigmatism are worn at night, temporarily correcting the shape of the cornea and providing clear vision. Thus, the vision problem caused by astigmatism is eliminated without using glasses or lenses during the following day.
• Laser Surgery: For people with severe astigmatism who do not want to wear glasses or lenses, laser eye reshaping surgeries (such as LASIK, PRK, and SMILE) can be an effective solution.

Which treatment method to choose should be clarified after a detailed examination by the ophthalmologist, taking into account the patient’s preferences. The degree of astigmatism, the person’s lifestyle, and eye structure are factors that should be evaluated in choosing the most appropriate treatment.

Can Astigmatism be Corrected with Laser?

Yes, astigmatism is a visual defect that can be corrected with laser treatment. Laser eye reshaping surgeries correct the shape of the cornea, allowing light to focus on the retina correctly and eliminating the blurred vision caused by astigmatism. However, not all people with astigmatism are suitable candidates for laser treatment.

If you are considering laser surgery to treat your astigmatism, you should consult your ophthalmologist about whether you are suitable for this operation. Your doctor will determine the most appropriate treatment method based on your corneal thickness, eye structure, and overall health status.

The main methods used for laser correction of astigmatism are as follows:

• LASIK (Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis): It is one of the most common methods of laser eye surgery. A thin part of the cornea is removed and a laser is applied to the underlying tissue to correct the shape of the cornea. The healing process is fast and the results are quite successful.
• PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy): The top layer of the cornea is completely removed and the laser is applied. It has a longer healing process compared to LASIK but may be more suitable in some cases.
• SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction): SMILE, a newer laser method, is applied through a smaller incision and may have a faster recovery time. It is especially effective in high-grade astigmatism.