What is Astigmatism?
Astigmatism is an eye condition that affects the way that we see blurry images and is caused by an irregularly shaped cornea or lens. Astigmatism is usually caused by genetics, however contact lenses and other medical conditions can also be the cause. Symptoms of astigmatism may include nearsightedness, farsightedness, blurred vision, headaches, and squinting.

What Causes Astigmatism?
Astigmatism is caused by the front surface of the eye, called the cornea, having an irregular shape. This irregular shape can distort the way light enters the eye, causing blurred vision. The severity of the distortion varies from person to person, but it often causes nearsightedness, farsightedness, or a combination of both. Astigmatism is most often a genetic condition, however it can also be caused by contact lenses, trauma or other medical conditions.

Treating Astigmatism
Astigmatism can be treated with corrective eyeglasses, contact lenses or refractive surgery such as LASIK. Your eye doctor may recommend these different treatments depending on your particular situation. Eyeglasses can help correct astigmatism by slightly altering the shape of the eye’s surface. Contact lenses can also be used to correct astigmatism, but they may require more frequent adjustments than those used to correct nearsightedness or farsightedness. Refractive surgery, such as LASIK, can reshape the eye’s surface and correct astigmatism. Your eye doctor can determine which is the best option for you.