Astigmatism What It Is and How It Can Be Corrected

Astigmatism is a common eye condition in which the cornea does not refract light evenly in all meridians, resulting in a blurred and distorted image. Basically, instead of the light rays focusing on one point on the retina, they focus on two different
points. This causes patients to see objects blurred, with blurred outlines, and can cause visual discomfort, eyestrain and even dizziness. Astigmatism can be one of two types: congenital, present from birth, or acquired during life, for example as a result of trauma or eye surgery. Astigmatism can be regular, where the refractive power is uniform along a meridian, or irregular, usually caused by scarring or trauma to the cornea. Correction of astigmatism is usually achieved by wearing glasses with cylindrical lenses or toric contact lenses, which help to focus light rays onto the retina correctly. It is important that the fit to cylindrical lenses is comfortable, as some patients may experience discomfort if the correction is too strong. As presbyopia develops, previously compensated astigmatism can become a source of discomfort. In such cases, glasses can not only improve the clarity of vision, but also reduce associated headaches. It is interesting that astigmatism can be influenced by deformities of the structures around the eye, such as jaw deformities or dental occlusion. Correcting these structural problems can, in some cases, reduce or even eliminate astigmatism. A personalized approach to diagnosing and correcting astigmatism is essential to ensure long-term visual comfort and clear vision.