Eye Facts> Eye Diseases
Diseases & Conditions: Astigmatism
Overview
Astigmatism
means that the cornea is oval like a football instead of
spherical like a basketball. Most astigmatic corneas have
two curves - a steeper curve and a flatter curve. This
causes light to focus on more than one point in the eye,
resulting in blurred vision at distance or near. Astigmatism
often occurs along with nearsightedness or farsightedness.
Signs & Symptoms
- Blurred vision (near and distance)
Detection & Diagnosis
Astigmatism can be detected and measured with corneal topography, keratometry, vision testing and refraction.
Treatment
Astigmatism can be corrected with glasses, contacts, or surgically. The most common surgeries used to correct astigmatism are astigmatic keratotomy (procedures that involve placing a microscopic incision on the eye) and LASIK. The objective of these procedures is to reshape the cornea so it becomes more spherical or uniformly curved.
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