Astigmatism

Symptoms of astigmatism

While blurred vision is the most common sign of astigmatism, there are a number of other indicators. Typical symptoms of astigmatism include:

• Blurred vision

• Headaches

• Squinting (strabismus)

• Fatigue

• Eye strain

• Difficulty seeing at night

What causes astigmatism?

While most astigmatism cases are hereditary and genetic, there are several causes that may lead to the condition including:

• Astigmatism from birth: People are usually born with astigmatism, which is more common in premature or low birth weight babies. Many children are born with astigmatism, but as they grow and their eyes change shape, it can improve with age.

• Developmental factors: As children grow, the shape of their corneas can change, which can lead to the development of this eye condition. It’s important to test children’s eyes early to catch any symptoms early on.

• Keratoconus: Keratoconus is a progressive eye disease in which your cornea thins and begins to bulge into a cone‑like shape, causing astigmatism and other vision issues.

• Eye surgery: Some types of eye surgery, including cataract surgery, can alter the cornea's shape and may lead to astigmatism.

• Eye injury: Trauma or injury to the eye can cause scarring or change the shape of the cornea, which can lead to astigmatism.

• Corneal scar tissue: Scarring of the cornea from infections or ulcers can distort its shape and cause astigmatism.

• Contact lenses: Improper use of some contact lenses, especially rigid lenses, can temporarily change the cornea’s shape and cause astigmatism. You can often reverse this condition by stopping or correcting the use of lenses. Always put in contact lenses correctly to help avoid any damage to the eye.

What causes astigmatism to worsen?

Many of the factors that cause astigmatism itself, can also lead to astigmatism worsening, including, aging, keratoconus, eye operations, eye fatigue, and incorrect usage of contact lenses. Regular eye exams are important to monitor and manage astigmatism effectively.

What happens if astigmatism is left untreated?

Astigmatism itself is primarily a refractive error as opposed to an eye disease. However, if left undetected or untreated, it has the potential to lead to other eye health issues or worsen existing ones such as:

• Lazy eye (amblyopia): Astigmatism in one eye can lead to amblyopia, where the brain favours one eye during early development. Early eye testing for children is important to pick up any potential issues.

• Strabismus (squint): Uncorrected astigmatism can cause strabismus, a condition where the eyes do not align properly due to unequal focusing efforts needed to compensate for blurred vision caused by astigmatism.

Can astigmatism be prevented?

There is no guaranteed way to prevent astigmatism. However, there are steps you can take to maintain healthy eyes and potentially minimise the progression of this condition, including:

• Regular eye examinations.

• Wearing protective eye wear during activities that could harm your eyes to prevent injuries that might result in astigmatism.

While these practices can support your eye health, it’s important to note that they cannot change a genetic predisposition to astigmatism.