How Our Hendersonville Optometrist Treats Astigmatism
You found out you might have astigmatism, but what does that mean? It is a common eye problem that affects the vision of hundreds of thousands of people. The eye is a complex organ and many things can go wrong that will change the way you see things, astigmatism is just one of them. If the optometrist says you have astigmatism, it’s time to learn more about the condition and the treatment options available for it.
What is Astigmatism?
Astigmatism is a reflective error. When light reflects off of something you are looking at, it passes through the cornea, the clear coating around the globe, bends to go through the pupil and is focused by the lens onto the retina. The bending of light by the cornea and lens is called refraction. With proper refraction, the retina converts the light into something the brain can interpret.
Astigmatism is different than near or farsightedness, because it relates directly to the shape of the cornea. When the cornea is oval instead of round, it changes the shape of the retina, so the light doesn’t focus correctly. This defect means the brain cannot interpret what you are seeing, so it may appear distorted, stretched out or blurry.
The symptoms of astigmatism include:
- Eye strain
- Blurred vision
- The need to squint
- Difficulty driving at night
How Our Eye Doctor Diagnose and Treatment Astigmatism
Our eye doctors at Hendersonville Eye Care, OD, PA will do a comprehensive dilated exam as part of your vision care plan. This allows for a full view of the retina to see if it is shaped properly. Once a diagnosis is made, the optometrist in Hendersonville will determine the right correction option based on your ocular health.
For some, that will mean glasses. Eyeglasses are the easiest way to deal with astigmatism. The lenses in the glasses bend the light in a way that it focuses correctly despite the unusual curve of the retina.
At one point, contact lenses were not a good option for those with this problem, but modern technology has changed things. Today, there are contact lenses designed for patients with astigmatism. They refract the light before it enters the eyes so it is focused on the retina. The optometrist will prescribe specially made lenses designed to treat your condition.
The third option is the surgical correction. Refractive surgery changes the shape of the cornea permanently, eliminating the needs for any corrective lens. Not everyone is a good candidate for surgery, though. Our Hendersonville optometrist will evaluate your general health and determine if surgery is a practical solution for you. If not, an alternative method might be available such as Ortho-K. With Ortho-K, you wear corrective contacts at night only and then live each day free from glasses.
Contact Our Hendersonville Optometrists Today
If you suspect you have astigmatism or want to discuss other vision problems with one of our eye care specialists, give us a call at (828) 693-5205 to schedule an appointment. Don’t delay your treatment! Visit Hendersonville Eye Care, OD, PA today for more information about our other eye care services. Now is the time to start your journey to better vision!