There are about 2.2 billion people in the world who suffer from various vision problems, such as nearsightedness or farsightedness. However, did you know that about half of them may be affected by astigmatism? This condition is becoming more and more common, and for many people, this word is new. People with astigmatism see the world blurry, they often have headaches when reading for a long time, and their eyes get tired quickly. This is a very common condition, so let's talk about it in more detail. Now you will learn something new!
Astigmatism is affecting more and more people, and is usually inherited. Image source: Science Alert
Contents
- 1 How eyes change with astigmatism
- 2 How to understand that a person has astigmatism
- 3 What causes astigmatism
- 4 How to treat astigmatism
How eyes change with astigmatism
Astigmatismis a vision disorder that occurs due to irregular eye shape. Ideally, the eye should be almost perfectly round, but in people with astigmatism, it is more like the shape of an American football. The eyeball can be expanded both horizontally and vertically.
The shape of a healthy eye and an eye with astigmatism. Image source: ochkov.net
Astigmatism affects two important parts of the eye: the cornea – the transparent shell through which light passes, and the lens, which helps focus this light on the retina. The retina is the part of the eye that converts light into signals for the brain, allowing us to see.
How light falls on the retina in healthy people and people with astigmatism. Image source: sprosivracha.com
When the cornea or lens is irregularly shaped, light is refracted incorrectly and does not focus on the retina as it should. As a result, images become blurry, regardless of whether a person is looking at something close or far away.
How to tell if a person has astigmatism
Symptoms of astigmatism can vary from person to person, but typically, people with this condition experience blurred visionat any distance. This means that objects may appear blurry, no matter how close or far away they are. This can cause eye strain, especially after prolonged reading or computer work.
An example of vision with astigmatism. Image source: Reddit
In addition, people with astigmatism may experience headaches, which occur when trying to focus the gaze. Also, problems with night vision often arise, and low light becomes a real challenge. People may often squint to improve their vision and notice increased sensitivity to light. However, if astigmatism is mild, symptoms may be less noticeable or absent altogether.
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What causes astigmatism
The causes of astigmatism are not fully understood, but genetics are thought to play a significant role in its development. It is estimated that about 40% of adults and 15% of children in some regions suffer from the condition, and it is often inherited. In most cases, astigmatism is present at birth or develops during childhood or adolescence.
Astigmatism can be inherited from parents. Image source: Pinterest
But, it is worth recognizing that sometimes astigmatism can be a consequence of injuries, diseases or surgery. There is also a suggestion that astigmatism can be caused by habits of sitting close to the TV and reading in low light. However, do not worry: these misconceptions have no scientific basis, so they can be called myths.
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How to treat astigmatism
Not all people with astigmatism require treatment – in some cases, this disease has almost no effect on vision. However, if the symptoms of astigmatism are pronounced, it is necessary to wear special glasses or contact lenses. They help to focus light correctly, which eliminates blurriness and improves vision quality.
For people with astigmatism, glasses and lenses are usually custom-made. Image source: Science Alert
You can also consider surgery. There are several types of surgery that usually aim to change the shape of the cornea, which can correct the problem with the refraction of light. However, it should be remembered that any surgery is associated with risks. Therefore, before making a decision, it is important to discuss all possible options with a doctor to choose the best treatment.
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If this article was useful for you, be sure to read our material “Can eye exercises really improve vision?”