Astigmatism can be regular or irregular, with regular astigmatism having five different types based on the level of nearsightedness or farsightedness in each eye. Treatment options include contact lenses, eyeglasses, and refractive surgery. Hereditary factors may play a role in the condition.
There are two main types of astigmatism: regular or corneal, resulting from the irregular surface of the cornea which should be smooth; and irregular or lenticular, resulting from the irregularly shaped lens behind the cornea. However, regular astigmatism is made up of five different types. The difference occurs because of how each eye is classified. The level of nearsightedness, or myopia, and farsightedness, or farsightedness, determine the type of regular astigmatism in each eye. The degree of condition is determined by the severity of the distortion of the cornea or lens.
Regular astigmatism results from an oblong or football-shaped cornea. Deformed cornea can distort an image in two places instead of just one image. It is the determination of which eye is affected, or to what degree, that will establish the type of regular astigmatism the patient has. If one eye is normal and the other is nearsighted, the diagnosis is simple myopic astigmatism. Simple farsighted astigmatism results from normal vision in one eye, combined with farsightedness in the other.
Compound myopic or compound farsighted astigmatism occurs when both eyes are nearsighted or farsighted, respectfully. When one eye is nearsighted and the other is farsighted, mixed astigmatism is diagnosed. Irregular astigmatism causes distortion of light from the irregular surface of the cornea, typically manifesting itself as multiple images from a single object.
Both regular and irregular astigmatism can be hereditary. Therefore, parents with the condition should have children checked periodically. Many experts believe that everyone is born with some level of astigmatism; however, it is only a matter of whether it increases over time causing a moderate to severe condition, or remains the same as in the case of mild astigmatism. Studies have shown that this condition tends to be more or less prevalent in some breeds.
Treatment for regular astigmatism can be achieved through the use of contact lenses or eyeglasses. While traditional hard lenses have been used in the past, soft lenses, called toric lenses and hard gas permeable lenses are now available. Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, or LASIK surgery, is also available for treatment.
Irregular astigmatism can usually only be corrected through the use of contact lenses or refractive surgery. Refractive surgery is tailored to the individual, as the procedure addresses specific irregularities within the eye. No two patients will have identical abnormalities.
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