Astigmatism
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Even if you know very little about eye health, you’ve likely heard of astigmatism before, and for good reason. According to the Cleveland Clinic, 1 in 3 people experience astigmatism.
But what is astigmatism? To put it simply, astigmatism occurs when the eyes have an irregular shape. Normal eyes are spherical, whereas eyes with astigmatism are more oval-shaped, like a football.
This affects your vision by changing the way your cornea and the lens of your eye focus light onto your retina, the light sensation tissue of your eye. A normal eye will focus the light sharply, allowing for clear vision. When astigmatism is present, light will not refract (bend) correctly due to the shape of the eye, leading to blurred near or distant vision. Luckily, this condition can be treated in multiple ways. Most commonly, those with astigmatism can correct and clarify their vision with eyeglasses or contact lenses, which focus the light properly. Patients may take this a step further by receiving refractive surgeries such as LASIK, which use a laser to reshape the cornea and correct vision permanently.
If you notice blurred vision, eye strain, headaches, or other discomfort, make an appointment to speak with one of our Primary Eye Care Specialists so we can help you see your best.
Read more: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-astigmatism