Astigmatism
Seattle, Washington
Astigmatism is a common vision problem that often accompanies farsightedness or nearsightedness. Astigmatism is caused by an irregularly shaped cornea or an irregularly shaped lens, a part of the eye situated behind the cornea.
Eyeglasses and contact lenses can correct astigmatism. But for those who wish to reduce their dependence on eyeglasses and contact lenses, refractive surgery is the best option. Leading Seattle, Washington LASIK surgeon Dr. Kent Leavitt has helped many patients with astigmatism to enjoy enhanced visual acuity.
Astigmatism Signs and Symptoms
Mild astigmatism may cause no symptoms at all beyond slightly blurred vision. Moderate astigmatism will likely cause eyestrain, blurred vision up close and/or at a distance and, perhaps, headaches. Astigmatism affects both children and adults, highlighting the need for regular vision examinations to detect astigmatism in the early stages.
Astigmatism is often hereditary, but corneal scarring, eye diseases like keratoconus and some types of eye surgery can cause astigmatism.
Treatments for Astigmatism
Unless your astigmatism is severe, eyeglasses or contact lenses are usually sufficient to correct the condition. Rigid contact lenses (RGPs) were once the only type of contact lens for astigmatic individuals. Today, soft lenses, called toric contact lenses, offer a special type of correction for both astigmatism and near- or farsightedness. Soft toric contact lenses work well for all astigmatism except the most severe.
Refractive surgery is a popular option offering fast, safe effective and long-lasting correction of astigmatism as well as near- or farsightedness. Types of refractive surgery that successfully treat astigmatism include:
- Conventional or custom Wavefront LASIK
- IntraLase
- Photorefractive Keratotomy (PRK)
- LASEK
- Epi-LASIK
- Conductive Keratoplasty (CK)
Whether your astigmatism can be corrected using one of these techniques is a decision Dr. Leavitt will make after evaluating your vision during a thorough examination. Generally speaking, astigmatism that affects more than half your sphere, (greater than 2.00 diopters) diminishes your opportunity for the best outcome. While lasers have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for astigmatic correction, the factors determining whether refractive surgery can correct your astigmatism include:
- Your eye’s corneal thickness
- The size of your pupils
- Your type of astigmatism
- The amount of your astigmatism
To learn more about astigmatism or to schedule a vision evaluation with Dr. Leavitt in Seattle, Washington, please contact Bellevue Lasik and Cornea today.