Astigmatism: When the world loses its focus
Do you feel like lights at night have long, annoying streaks? Do you struggle to distinguish an "O" from a "D" or a "3" from an "8"? If your vision isn't sharp at any distance and the outlines of objects appear distorted or doubled, you are likely astigmatic. Astigmatism is a refractive error that affects the precision of detail, making your vision blurry and straining your eyes.
What is astigmatism?
Normally, the cornea (the clear front part of the eye) has a spherical shape, similar to a football. In an astigmatic eye, the cornea is shaped more like a rugby ball.
Due to this irregular curvature, light rays entering the eye do not focus on a single point on the retina but are scattered across multiple points. The result is vision that lacks sharpness, whether you are looking at a distant landscape or reading a book.
Typical symptoms of astigmatism
Astigmatism can occur on its own or alongside myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness). Common signs include:
- Distorted or double vision: objects appear slightly deformed.
- Difficulty with night vision: car lights or streetlamps show halos or streaks of light.
- Eye strain: burning and watering eyes, especially after staring at a screen.
- Headaches and dizziness: caused by the brain's constant effort to "correct" the distorted image.
- Head tilting: an involuntary tendency to tilt or turn the head to try and see more clearly.
How to correct astigmatism?
Today, you no longer have to sacrifice comfort or freedom. There are several ways to correct astigmatism:
1. Prescription glasses with cylindrical or toric lenses
Special lenses called cylindrical lenses are used, designed to compensate for the irregular curvature of your cornea. These lenses have different "powers" depending on the orientation (axis) of the defect.
2. Toric contact lenses
There are specific contact lenses for astigmatism (toric lenses) which, thanks to a special design, remain stable on the eye, ensuring perfect vision even while moving.
3. Refractive Surgery (Laser)
Laser surgery is an excellent solution for astigmatism. Using techniques such as Femto-LASIK or PRK, the surgeon reshapes the cornea to make it more regular and symmetrical, eliminating the underlying distortion.
