Astigmatism
Astigmatism is a condition most people have to some degree. Some people can see clearly even with a slight amount of astigmatism. The more significant the astigmatism, the more severe the effects of blurred and distorted vision. Astigmatism can be corrected with LASIK; our very own Dr. Daniel Choi specializes in LASIK vision correction. Call our office today at 808-524-1010 to schedule your free consultation.
What Causes Astigmatism?
Astigmatism is caused by an irregularly curved cornea, which can be present from birth, and may improve or worsen as you. In a normal eye, the curvature of the cornea is like a sphere. In people with astigmatism, the cornea is curved more like a football, with areas that are steeper and others that are more rounded.
What is Astigmatism?
Astigmatism is a refractive error, like myopia and hyperopia, meaning the eye does not focus light the way it should for clear sight. Light enters the eye through the clear window at the front, called the cornea. In cases of clear vision, the cornea, and the lens bend (refract) the light to focus it on a single point on the retina at the back of the eyeball. In cases of astigmatism, the light does not focus onto a single point, causing images to appear blurred or stretched. Astigmatism commonly occurs with Myopia and Hyperopia.
Do I Have Astigmatism?
You may have mild astigmatism and be completely unaware of it. Even more so with children, who are sometimes unaware their vision is distorted. Symptoms of astigmatism may include:
- Eye strain
- Headaches
- Distorted or blurred vision at different distances
How Can Astigmatism Be Treated?
Glasses and contact lenses are the most common methods of correcting astigmatism. Some might choose to undergo reshaping of the cornea with special rigid contact lenses. Dr. Daniel Choi at the Cataract and Vision Center of Hawaii offers refractive surgery for permanently treating astigmatism.
Refractive Surgery for Astigmatism
LASIK, PRK, and other refractive surgeries often produce results better than 20/20. Best of all, no longer having to deal with the expenses and hassle of contact lenses and glasses. Call our office today to schedule your free consultation today.
