Astigmatism is a common vision condition that can cause blurred or distorted vision at any distance. Many people live with mild astigmatism without even realizing it, but for others, it can significantly affect daily life.
Astigmatism can worsen over time depending on certain factors, such as age, eye injury, and daily screen time. Fortunately, astigmatism is very manageable and can be treated with corrective lenses.
Understanding what causes astigmatism and how it can worsen over time is essential for managing your eye health. In this blog, we’ll explore the factors that can lead to a progression of astigmatism, whether it can be reversed, and the possible ways to treat it for clear, comfortable vision.
What Is Astigmatism?
Astigmatism occurs when the cornea or lens of the eye is irregularly shaped, leading to distorted vision.
In a perfectly shaped eye, the cornea and lens are smooth and evenly curved, allowing light to focus precisely on the retina. However, in an eye with astigmatism, the cornea or lens is more oval-shaped, causing light to scatter and creating a blurred or distorted image.
Astigmatism can be present at birth or develop later in life due to various factors, including eye injuries or surgeries. It’s often accompanied by other refractive errors such as myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness). The severity of astigmatism can vary, with some people experiencing only mild symptoms, while others may have significant vision problems that require correction.
Astigmatism is typically diagnosed during a routine eye exam, where your eye doctor will measure the curvature of your cornea and lens. If you have astigmatism, your eye doctor will work with you to determine the right course of action to manage your vision and prevent the condition from worsening.
Does Astigmatism Worsen Over Time?
Astigmatism can change over time, but whether it worsens depends on various factors.
For some people, astigmatism remains stable throughout their lives, while for others, it may gradually progress. It’s important to monitor your vision regularly to catch any changes early.
Factors that can contribute to the worsening of astigmatism include:
- Eye Strain: Prolonged activities like reading or working on a computer can lead to increased eye strain, which may exacerbate astigmatism.
- Aging: As the eye’s lens and cornea change shape with age, astigmatism can worsen, especially if other eye conditions like cataracts develop.
- Eye Injuries or Surgery: Trauma to the eye or certain types of eye surgery can alter the shape of the cornea, potentially worsening astigmatism.
- Keratoconus: This progressive eye disease causes the cornea to thin and become cone-shaped, significantly worsening astigmatism.
Can You Reverse Astigmatism?
Astigmatism cannot be reversed naturally, as it is related to the physical shape of the cornea or lens. However, there are ways to manage and correct astigmatism to improve vision. It’s essential to work with your eye doctor to determine the right treatment plan for your specific needs.
While lifestyle changes like reducing eye strain or protecting your eyes from injury can help prevent astigmatism from worsening, they won’t reverse the condition. Instead, corrective measures such as glasses, contact lenses, or surgery are necessary to address the underlying issues and provide clear vision.
How Do You Treat Astigmatism?
The most common treatment for astigmatism is corrective lenses, such as glasses or contact lenses.
These lenses are specially designed to compensate for the irregular shape of the cornea or lens, helping to focus light properly on the retina. Your eye doctor will prescribe lenses tailored to your specific level of astigmatism to ensure optimal vision correction.
For those who prefer not to wear glasses or contact lenses, refractive surgery, such as LASIK, is an option. LASIK surgery reshapes the cornea using a laser, correcting the irregular curvature that causes astigmatism. While LASIK can provide long-lasting results, it’s important to consult with your eye doctor to determine if you’re a suitable candidate for the procedure.
Orthokeratology, or Ortho-K, is a non-surgical treatment that involves wearing specially designed contact lenses overnight to temporarily reshape the cornea. Typically, Ortho-K is used to prevent myopia progression, but recent studies have shown its potential in treating astigmatism.
While this option doesn’t provide a permanent solution, it can offer clear vision during the day without needing glasses or contact lenses. Ortho-K is often used for children or adults who are not candidates for surgery.
Experience Clear, Comfortable Vision
Astigmatism may be a common condition, but with the right care and treatment, you can enjoy clear and comfortable vision. Whether you need corrective lenses, surgery, or just regular eye exams to monitor your condition, the team at Doctors EyeCare Grande Prairie is here to help. The first step toward clear, comfortable vision is talking with an eye doctor. Schedule an eye appointment today and begin your journey to better vision and eye health.
