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Astigmatism is a common eye problem that causes blurred or distorted vision due to a deformed cornea or lens. Mild cases can be treated with glasses or contacts, but severe cases may require laser-guided surgery. Symptoms worsen with age and can cause headaches, nausea, and dizziness. LASIK surgery is the most common treatment for severe astigmatism.
Astigmatism is a very common eye problem in which the cornea or lens is slightly deformed, resulting in blurred or distorted vision. Most astigmatisms are mild and can be easily compensated for with the help of glasses or contact lenses. Severe astigmatism, however, can cause serious vision problems, chronic headaches, and other symptoms that make it difficult to perform basic daily activities. Symptoms tend to worsen with age, and permanent blindness is a possible consequence of not getting treatment. In most cases, severe cases of astigmatism require laser-guided eye surgery to correct the shape and curvature of the cornea.
In a healthy eye, the cornea and lens are curved smoothly and evenly so that light collected from any angle can be refracted properly onto the retina. Severe astigmatism can cause part of the lens or cornea to curve much sharper than the surrounding area. The cornea may also be rough, meaning that steep bumps and ridges cover its surface. As a result, light that strikes the cornea from certain angles is distorted by the time it reaches the retina.
Most cases of astigmatism are hereditary and congenital. Vision may not become a problem, however, until a person reaches adolescence or adulthood. Natural changes in the eye tend to make astigmatism worse in elderly patients. Occasionally, a person may develop severe astigmatism as a result of a puncture injury to the eye, surgery to correct glaucoma, or a serious viral or bacterial illness.
Severe astigmatism can affect central and peripheral vision. Blurring can make it difficult or impossible to focus on text or an object. Often, astigmatism is accompanied by significant nearsightedness or farsightedness, which exacerbates vision difficulties. In addition to vision problems, a person may experience frequent headaches, fatigue, nausea and dizziness.
An ophthalmologist can diagnose astigmatism by asking about symptoms and performing a careful physical exam. A slit lamp microscope is used to view the cornea from different angles. Your doctor can determine exactly where steep ridges or curves are present and the degree to which they deviate from normal. Eyeglasses and hard contact lenses can help some people with severe astigmatism get better vision, but most people eventually need surgery.
Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis surgery (LASIK) is the most common procedure used to treat severe astigmatism. During the procedure, small slits are made in the cornea and held open while a laser burns away pieces of the cornea and lens. The eye is shaped with the laser until it is smooth and evenly curved. Within a week of LASIK, a patient usually notices dramatic improvements in vision clarity and other astigmatism symptoms.
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