Astigmatism

For clear vision, an object needs to be completely focused at the back of the eye. Astigmatism is when the front of the eye (cornea) or the lens inside the eye are not completely spherical causing the light rays to fall unevenly onto the retina, causing blurred vision, eye strain, tired eyes or headaches. Astigmatism is very common with most people who wear glasses having a degree of Astigmatism correction built in to their prescription.

Refractive Errors

Emmetropia is the term for normal vision. Light rays from distant objects are focused exactly and evenly onto the retina. Myopia is the term for short sight. Here, the eye can be thought of as too large causing light rays from a distant object to be focused in front of the retina typically causing blurred vision. Hypermetropia is the term for long sight. Here, the eye can be thought of as too short resulting in light rays from nearer objects being focused behind the retina typically causing blurred vision or strained eyes.

What Do We Do When We Find Astigmatism?

Often people know they have Astigmatism as they will have been told "their eyes are shaped like rugby balls". In reality, it isn't the actual eye that is shaped like a rugby ball but the cornea that has the irregular shape. If only a small degree of Astigmatism and no symptoms, like eye strain or blurred vision etc, no correction is required and the advice is to continue having regular Eye Tests every 2 years.

If someone is reporting issues with their vision or eyes and the cause is found to be Astigmatism, it is usually easily remedied. Glasses or toric contact lenses would be the most common means of correction. Spectacles can be prescribed for full-time wear or even on an "as needed" basis for things like computer work or driving at night. Toric contact lenses are just like normal daily or monthly soft contact lenses and can be easily fitted, even with a reasonably high degree of prescription. Again, these can be worn full-time or for specific occasions likes sports or social wear.

Spectacle Lens Options

Often people with Astigmatism are prescribed standard lenses in order to correct their vision. Although this solution works, it is very common for minor symptoms of eye strain, tiredness or headache to persist or for wearers to notice vision getting blurry towards the lens edge. Wearers tolerate this and accept it as a consequence of the prescription. Recently, there has been newer lens options introduced to the market after extensive research which contain the latest technology giving wearers clear, comfortable vision and optimal performance even with complex prescriptions. Essilor Eyezen Expert and Hoya Nulux iDentity are two options that we have used with great success.

Contact Lens Options

As we are a specialist practice, we often have access to specialist products and more complex options than that found on the high street. The lesser known Corneoscleral lens for example, gives clear vision like a hard lens but comfort like a soft lens. People can easily be shown how to use them and unlike typical hard lenses, there is very little adaption time needed. They offer far sharper vision when compared to a soft lens and can be used in situations where a soft lens cannot, like water sports for example.

If you have any queries about the information contained here; any concerns about your eyes or vision; experience any of the symptoms discussed above; please use the book now button and make an appointment at either of our two branches in Edinburgh. After a full Eye Test your Jack Brown Eyecare optometrist will be able to discuss all options available to you and make a recommendation based upon your prescription and lifestyle.

Article written by Andy Connell | Optometrist | General Manager