Taking a Closer Look at Astigmatism
Understanding This Refractive Error
People with astigmatism see the world differently. From blurry vision and distorted colors to fuzzy lights, living with it can be a struggle. Plus, if left untreated, daily activities are at risk of getting affected.
But living with astigmatism is manageable with the right information. So, read on to understand everything about this refractive error.
What is Astigmatism?
Having astigmatism means that your cornea is more curved than it should be. Normally, your cornea and lens have a round-ball curve. But with astigmatism, its shape is similar to a football. So, due to the irregular shape, your vision becomes blurry, and seeing at night is challenging.Â
The light that enters your eye bends more than usual, making it hard for your retina to focus on things. Thus, you only see some parts of an object you’re looking at properly, affecting your vision at any distance. Although this condition is common, it can still be bothersome without the proper treatment.Â
Signs and Symptoms
Astigmatism symptoms may vary in each person, and those lucky few don’t even experience any. If you’re unsure if you have this refractive error, the symptoms listed below may help you.
- Blurred or distorted vision
- Eyestrain or discomfort
- Headaches
- Difficulty with night vision
- Squinting to see clearlyÂ
- Eye irritationÂ
- Fatigue Â
Experiencing these can interfere with the fun of doing activities and the ability to perform tasks. But note that they don’t always mean you have astigmatism. So, it’s best to visit an eye care specialist when noticing changes in your eyes, especially when blurry vision gets worse.Â
The Challenges of Living With Astigmatism
Living with astigmatism can make everyday tasks challenging. Driving at night, watching movies, and reading small-font text are some difficulties you can encounter, leading to eye strain and headaches.
Watching Movies
Do you struggle with following the plot of your favorite television show because of the halos that appear from the bright lights on the screen? Astigmatism may cause halos and distort shapes and colors. Plus, those with contrast sensitivity may find it even harder to watch their favorite shows. So, the next time you binge-watch, watch from a larger screen, sit closer to the TV, or adjust the brightness and color settings. Following these will make your Friday nights more exciting without the interruptions. Â
Driving at Night
Being in low-light conditions makes focusing on objects more difficult. The glare from light emitters worsens astigmatism’s distortion and blurriness. Astigmatic eyes get overwhelmed with car headlights, backlights, street lights, and illuminated signs & billboards. So, driving at night becomes more challenging the more there are lights on the road.
Reading
Struggling to read is another common challenge, especially when reading small-font text. As astigmatism causes blurring and distortion, texts become harder to read. Thus, resorting to squinting or moving closer to better see the words. But due to this overcompensation, side effects like eyestrains and headaches can happen. To aid your reading, use a magnifying glass, enlarge the font size, or use assistive technologies like screen readers.
Coping Strategies for Astigmatism
Astigmatism may be a frustrating condition, but there are ways to manage its effects to ease discomfort. Taking the following into account alleviates eye strain and fatigue symptoms to make living a little easier.Â
- Wearing corrective lenses
- Adjusting screen brightness and color settings
- Using larger font sizes
- Taking breaks when reading and using digital devices
Living a Life With Astigmatism
Mild astigmatism doesn’t usually require corrective lenses. But as it can worsen and change over time, eyeglasses and contact lenses help correct the vision without changing the eyes’ shape. If you wish to fix vision problems and the shape of your cornea, you can opt for a vision correction surgery.Â
Keep in mind that there is no best way to manage astigmatism. What suits your vision and lifestyle needs will work best. Thus, simple changes to daily routines make way for improvement and symptom reduction. You’ll also never go wrong with a healthy lifestyle, balanced diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep. Doing these reduces the risk of developing other eye conditions.
Not sure whether you have astigmatism or not? Ensure your eyes are getting the best care. Have your eyes checked for free at EO-Executive Optical! Look for eyeglasses and toric contact lenses to help with your astigmatism symptoms and make living easier. You got this! Â
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