Astigmatism

Treatment in Brisbane, Booval, Wynnum, & Aspley

Understanding Astigmatism

The cornea is the clear covering of the surface of your eye. It bends or refracts incoming light onto the retina, and the retina sends nerve impulses to the brain via the optic nerve. The brain then translates these nerve impulses into eyesight. A healthy cornea is round and fairly symmetrical; its shape is similar to that of a basketball or baseball. A cornea with astigmatism is irregularly curved, with an oval or oblong shape similar to an American football. These imperfections interfere with the way the eye refracts light — instead of forming a single focal point on the retina, light focuses at several points in the eye. This causes objects at all distances to appear blurry, unclear or distorted. We do not know exactly what causes astigmatism. We suspect genetic factors play a role; another potential cause is traumatic eye injury. Astigmatism is also linked with keratoconus, a degenerative corneal condition. Astigmatism does not improve or go away on its own; unfortunately, it usually gets worse with age.

Many people are diagnosed with astigmatism, but not all of them understand exactly what it means. Astigmatism is not a disease or a problem affecting the health of your eye; it is simply an irregular shapethat affects the way your eye focuses light. If you have astigmatism, light cannot focus properly on your retina, and objects up close and far away appear blurry or distorted. When it comes to your vision, it is always best to trust your eye doctor for accurate information and resources. The team at The Eye Health Centre is committed to educating you about your refractive error and working closely with you to find a suitable treatment solution.

Symptoms of Astigmatism

Symptoms of astigmatism include blurry or distorted vision at all distances, poor night vision and chronic headaches or eye strain. If you find yourself squinting all the time in order to see clearly, you could have astigmatism.

Diagnosing Astigmatism

Astigmatism is easily diagnosed through a comprehensive eye exam. Our doctors will perform several tests to determine how well you can see with each eye. We will also take a good look at the slope and curvature of your cornea. If we confirm you have astigmatism, we can discuss the best method to correct it and give you the clear vision you need to lead an active lifestyle.

Solutions for Astigmatism

Like other refractive errors, the traditional non-surgical treatment for astigmatism is prescription glasses or contact lenses. In the past it was challenging to treat astigmatism with contacts, because the irregularities of the cornea’s shape require different optical powers in different portions of the lens. However, toric lenses are designed specifically to accommodate astigmatism and are quite successful.

Laser Eye Surgery

If you find corrective eyewear unsuitable for your daily lifestyle and goals, there are other options. Refractive surgery permanently reshapes the cornea to properly refract light onto the retina. At The Eye Health Centre, our team has performed countless refractive surgery procedures, and we use leading-edge technology for exceptional results. We will tailor treatment to your unique eyes.

Permanent Contact Lenses

Another permanent solution is to implant contact lenses inside your eye or remove your eye’s natural lens and replace it with an artificial lens. Our team can discuss each option with you and help you make the choice that best fits your needs.

Contact the Eye Health Centre

For more information about the diagnosis and treatment of hyperopia and other refractive errors, please get in touch with us at The Eye Health Centre. With four convenient office locations, we serve the entire Brisbane area and beyond. We look forward to meeting you and learning more about how we can help you.