Bridgeport

(203) 333-2020

Stratford

(203) 377-2020

Astigmatism

What is Astigmatism and Who does it affect?

Astigmatism is a condition of the eyes where vision can become blurry or distorted. Blurry sight from astigmatism usually occurs in vision at all distances. In mild cases of astigmatism you may experience headaches, eye strain, fatigue, and certain angles of vision may be blurred. Astigmatism is considered to be a condition not a disease and is very common. In fact most people who have astigmatism were actually born with it. Those born with astigmatism inherited it because astigmatism can be passed down from generation to generation. Astigmatism is not just a condition that affects adults it is also common in children. Children are more likely to be unaware that they have a condition and will be less likely to think there is anything wrong. Schedule an appointment with Family Vision Center to you’re your child checked for astigmatism.

Astigmatism occurs when the front of the eye is shaped more oval than round like it should be. Because of this light does not focus on the back of the eye the way it should causing vision problems. Astigmatism is usually accompanied with nearsightedness and farsightedness. The cause of astigmatism is unclear but in some cases it may be genetically inherited or the environment could even be a factor. Things such as poor lighting, incorrect posture, or an increased amount of time using your eyes for close work can play a part in getting astigmatism. Also, an injury that has occurred and left scarring on the cornea can eventually lead to astigmatism.

Almost everyone has some degree of astigmatism but it is often not prominent enough to require any corrective action. In the cases where astigmatism is prominent there is ways to correct it. The most common myth about astigmatism is that if you suffer from astigmatism the only corrective action is to either wear glasses or rigid contact lenses. That is not true anymore. There are now contact lenses that are much more comfortable than the previous rigid contact lenses. However if you have a severe case of astigmatism you may find the only option that will work well for you is to get eye glasses. Depending on the severity of your astigmatism there refractive surgery might also be a corrective option.

If you have a severe case of astigmatism the signs are very easy to notice. A severe case includes blurry vision and distortion at all distances. However, with moderate astigmatism cases it may not be as easy to detect. With mild astigmatism you may experience headaches, fatigue, eye strain and some blurred vision at certain angles but not all. Because mild astigmatism is difficult to detect, having routine eye care exams is important. Contact Family Vision Centers today to be examined for astigmatism.

If you are experiencing any symptoms of astigmatism it is important to contact your eye doctor. Family Vision Centers complete eye exams also include certain tests to detect for astigmatism. If astigmatism is detected it can usually be corrected with properly prescribed fitted lenses. Eye glasses, or in some cases corrective surgery can correct astigmatism problems. Schedule an appointment with your Family Vision Centers optometrist to discuss which option would be best suited for you and your condition.

As with most things astigmatism can change. It is important to go back to your eye doctor on a regular basis so that as your condition changes your prescription can be adjusted accordingly. Astigmatism does not get better if untreated and will only get worse with age. The good news is that vision change is very gradual. In some cases by using contact lenses people have experienced an improvement in their astigmatism. It is recommended that adults who have any sort of pre existing eye condition, including astigmatism, have their eyes examined annually. If your child is diagnosed with astigmatism they may need to visit an eye doctor more often than once a year.

Locations

Bridgeport

Address

107 Boston Ave,
Bridgeport, CT 06610

Stratford

Address

775 Main St,
Stratford, CT 06615

Office & Optical Hours

Office Hours

Monday, Tuesday, Friday

9:00 am - 5:30 pm

Wednesday, Saturday

8:30 am - 3:00 pm

Thursday

9:00 am - 7:00 pm

Sunday

Closed

Optical Hours

Monday, Tuesday, Friday

9:00 am - 4:30 pm

Wednesday, Saturday

8:30 am - 2:00 pm

Thursday

9:00 am - 6:00 pm

Sunday

Closed


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