| By :
William Gabriel
Astigmatism is an eye condition that affects millions of people. This condition typically occurs when the cornea, the front surface of the eye, contains an irregular curvature. Known as a refractive error, astigmatism causes a disturbance in the way light rays are focused within the eye. Nearsightedness and farsightedness are also caused by refractive errors and often occur alongside astigmatism. Normally, the cornea of the eye is smooth and is curved equally in all directions. In normal cases, light entering the cornea is focused equally in all directions. When there is an irregular curvature of the cornea, the result may be that the individual experiences distorted vision; much like looking into a wavy mirror. This distortion is due to the eye's inability to focus light rays effectively. When the degree of curvature is of a higher degree, light refraction may be impaired significantly enough to need corrective lenses. These can come in the form of glasses or contact lenses. Most of the time, astigmatism will cause blurred vision at all distances due to the fact that only a small portion of light rays are focused at any point in time. Some people may experience very high degrees of the condition, or may experience cornea problems such a keratoconus. The best way to determine the condition of your eyes is to undergo a thorough eye exam. Astigmatism is not an uncommon eye condition. It is not a disease and does not equate to bad eyes. Some experts believe that we all have some degree of this condition. It is possible to be born with the condition and never experience changes in it throughout your life, as astigmatism is thought to be an inherited trait. The general symptoms of this condition are distorted or blurred vision at all distances. Often, when this blurred vision occurs, it will cause eye discomfort and irritation. People with astigmatism may notice that they squint frequently in an effort to focus. They may also experience headache and fatigue. While these symptoms are not exclusive to the eye condition, experiencing more than one of them warrants a visit to the eye doctor. Through an examination, it can be determined if glasses or contact lenses would correct the problem. Treatments for this condition include eye glasses or contact lenses. If the degree of curvature of the cornea is very slight, and it is not accompanied by nearsightedness or farsightedness, then no prescriptive treatment will be necessary. However, if the degree of curvature is great enough to cause eye strain or distorted vision, it is likely that glasses or contact lenses will be prescribed. Toric contact lenses are typically prescribed to correct distorted vision caused by curvature of the cornea. Toric lenses and have an additional power element called a cylinder, which provides greater light-bending power in one axis than in others. Discovering that you have a curvature of the cornea is nothing to be alarmed about. With the many treatment options that are now available, you can quickly and easily find the best option for correcting vision.
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