{"id":5367,"date":"2019-04-22T04:31:42","date_gmt":"2019-04-22T04:31:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=5367"},"modified":"2021-11-10T14:15:58","modified_gmt":"2021-11-10T14:15:58","slug":"14-main-symptoms-of-astigmatism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/14-main-symptoms-of-astigmatism\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Main Symptoms of Astigmatism"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Astigmatism is a term that refers to the irregular shape of the cornea. When a cornea is not shaped correctly, light enters the eye that is not focused correctly and parts of the image may be blurry or difficult to make out. Corneas are supposed to have a perfectly round shape like the surface of a round ball. But when you have astigmatism, that ball can be stretched out much like a football, and light gets distributed incorrectly to the receptors in the back of the eye which can cause a variety of symptoms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is also another type of astigmatism that is caused by the irregular shape of the lens rather than the cornea. In either case, there are some symptoms of astigmatism that are easy to watch out for. In this article, we\u2019ll be looking at those symptoms closely so that you can know whether or not you might have this particular medical problem. Astigmatism can be corrected and even permanently fixed, but you have to talk to your doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Trouble Concentrating in School<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the early stages, such as when astigmatism is present in a child, you may notice symptoms such as difficulty concentrating in school. Of course, there are lots of reasons why children might have difficulty concentrating in school, but astigmatism is one that should be looked at. Some of the other causes include ADHD<\/a>, learning disabilities, or even regular poor vision that requires eyeglasses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But if your child is able to see things most of the time and you have not noticed them experiencing symptoms typically associated with poor vision, then it might be astigmatism instead. With this condition, the blurriness only happens with part of the image, and most people with astigmatism do not even realize that that is not the way that they are supposed to be seeing the world; that\u2019s where talking to your optometrist comes in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. Blurry or Distorted Vision<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A big red flag that you should definitely look into it comes to astigmatism <\/a>is blurry and distorted vision. In fact, this is the number one symptom that you want to look for. If you have a child that you believe may have astigmatism, then you may want to draw them a picture where the outside edges are blurred so that they can identify whether that is something that they are experiencing. As an adult, you probably have a much better grasp of what your vision should be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For comparison, imagine seeing a regular eye chart in your doctor\u2019s office where the top letters in the very bottom row letters are blurred but where the rest of the letters are clear. It is this top row that will give your doctor a clue that you are suffering from astigmatism and not poor vision because the top row is extremely large while the bottom row is the smallest on the chart. This blurry vision will happen no matter how far away the objects are that you are looking at.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. Headaches<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Having headaches <\/a>is an unfortunate part of having astigmatism. When your cornea or your lens are not shaped properly, and the light entering your eyes does not land properly, it can cause eyestrain as your brain tries to make sense of the blurry image that it is getting. Your brain will try to clear up the blurry vision that you are having, and this will cause an inflammatory response in the brain that usually results in a headache. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many people with astigmatism find that they live their entire life with headaches until they are able to get the condition corrected. Of course, you may be open to treating those headaches with over-the-counter pain medications, especially anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen, but they are not always enough. But your doctor may be able to prescribe some techniques that give you relief or some medication that will help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Excessive Squinting<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Our eyes aren\u2019t perfect, so squinting is something that everyone does from time to time. When you look out towards the horizon and the sun is too bright, you might have to squint to be able to see clearly. The same goes for when something is far away or as some kind of glare blocking it. This is something that everyone has to do from time to time, so it can be difficult to attribute it to a symptom<\/a> of astigmatism. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, anyone that squints regularly, almost every time they look out, may have serious ocular problems that need to be addressed. Astigmatism is definitely one of those potential causes, because if part of your field of vision is blurry whenever you look at something, then the instinct is automatically going to be to squint. If you notice yourself doing this or someone else squinting regularly, then consider looking for a cause such as astigmatism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. Easily Strained or Fatigued Eyes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another warning sign is eyes that are easily strained <\/a>or retired quickly. Most people are able to stare at their computer screen for several hours before their eyes start feeling. However, when you have astigmatism, your eyes are always working to try to clear up that blurry part in conjunction with your brain. Both of these organs are working overtime to try to give you a clear vision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since there is such an extended effort in comparison with what people with clear vision have to go through, your eyes are going to get tired much more quickly and you are going to notice it often. You may only be able to stare at your computer screen for about 20 minutes before your eyes start hurting. You may start having pain and discomfort from the simple act of watching television in your living room. These things can be indicative of astigmatism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

6. Trouble Driving at Night<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At night, it is always a little more difficult to see, but for people with astigmatism, it can be downright dangerous to drive at night. For someone with poor vision <\/a>the needs glasses, it is still fairly dangerous to drive at night. But unless the road is wet and there is a great deal of glare or you are distracted by trying to read street signs that you do not see clearly until you get upon them, it is not nearly as dangerous as driving with astigmatism. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Astigmatism can fool you into thinking that you are able to see well enough to drive at night, but that blurry outside area could contain vital information that would allow you to avoid a crash. In some cases, you may not be able to see anything at all in those blurry areas because it is too dark and too distorted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. Failing the Benchmark Tests<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are also benchmark tests <\/a>that your doctor may be able to give you that can determine whether you have astigmatism. One of those is the visual acuity test which involves reading letters on an eye chart. As previously discussed, you may have trouble reading the top part and the bottom part. There is also another test called the astigmatic dial. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a chart that will show you a bunch of lines making up a semi-circle. If you can see all of the lines clearly, the new vision problems are not caused by astigmatism. But if you are not able to see all of the lines, then this may be the cause of your vision problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. Failing the Diagnostic Tests<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are also diagnostic <\/a>tests that can be used by your doctor in order to determine for certain if you have astigmatism. The keratometer, or ophthalmometer, is a device that measures the reflected light from the surface of the cornea. It takes into account the radius of that curvature and can determine if there is any degree of abnormal curvature or not. Your doctor may also opt to do corneal typography. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a procedure that will give your doctor a really good look inside of your eye and especially a good look at the cornea. Your doctor will be able to see exactly what the shape and curve of the cornea are. These tests can help him or she determine whether astigmatism is the cause and whether the curvature is in the cornea or the lens of the eye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. Lazy Eye<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People who are dealing with the effects of astigmatism notice it creates a slew of complications. One of the more serious complications involving astigmatism is the development of a “lazy eye.” The lazy eye, otherwise described by the medical term “Amblyopia,” occurs when the brain <\/a>starts to favor one eye. It forms due to poor vision in the other eye and continues to progress unless treated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the affected individual doesn’t receive treatment for their lazy eye, it results in permanent problems with depth perception and vision impairment. The affected individuals’ lazy eye might exhibit symptoms like “wandering,” where it appears to move out of sync with the other eyeball. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Typically, the condition affects only one eyeball. However, there are severe cases where it spreads to both eyes. Children are the highest risk group for developing a lazy eye, and it’s the leading cause of deteriorating vision in children. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A lazy eye does not have the same characteristics as a turned or crossed eye, also known as “strabismus.” However, strabismus can lead to the onset of amblyopia if the crossed or turned eye gets less use than the other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If left untreated and unmanaged, amblyopia can cause temporary or permanent vision loss in 3D vision and depth perception.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. Pains in Your Face<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People dealing with astigmatism’s effects may start to notice changes in the musculature around their faces. We already mentioned how they might find themselves squinting more often. However, squinting is not the only problem involved with the effects of astigmatism on the face. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The affected individual might find that the tension spreads from the forehead and brow into other areas of the cheeks and the jaw muscles. As a result, the patient might increase the squinting or winking facial posture<\/a>, causing an imbalance in the face’s muscular structure. This imbalance creates tension in the muscles and ligaments, creating pain and headaches in the affected individual. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you find yourself squinting or wincing, the optician can fit you for eyeglasses to resolve the issue. If the tension continues, visiting a doctor for Botox injections can release tension in the facial muscles. Botox is a neurotoxin that causes localized paralysis of the muscles, reducing the stress in your face. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"eye<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

11. Light Sensitivity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People who are dealing with astigmatism may start to notice they experience light sensitivity symptoms. If you’re in a dark room, like the inside of a restaurant, and you step outside into the sunlight, it might cause pain and sensitivity issues. You might find that you start wearing sunglasses more often during the daytime, and you experience headaches <\/a>when you stand in brightly lit rooms for extended periods. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Light sensitivity occurs at different levels and stages. Extreme light sensitivity can cause pain and headaches, while mild light sensitivity can be a simple annoyance. The extent of the sensitivity varies from patient to patient.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, make sure you get a checkup with your optician or ophthalmologist. The doctor checks your eyesight, and they’ll determine if you’re dealing with astigmatism and the best course of treatment to take. In most cases, using eyeglasses and sunglasses can help mitigate the effects of light sensitivity caused by eyeball’s astigmatism. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

12. Difficulty Seeing Contrasting Colors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People dealing with the onset of astigmatism experienced a wild variety of adverse symptoms related to vision changes. One of the more peculiar symptoms of the disorder is for patients to experience a loss in defining contrasting colors. They can’t determine the difference due to the changes in the retina and the eye. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, it’s challenging for people with the disorder to notice contrasting colors, especially in painted rooms or spaces. It’s a similar condition to color blindness, and it might be temporary or occur frequently. Being unable to determine the difference in contrasting colors can be frustrating in some patients that rely on it for their living. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Graphic designers and artists need to determine color contrasts for a living, and astigmatism might make doing their job that much harder. Visit your optician for recommendations on eyewear and eye exercises <\/a>to help alleviate the symptoms of the condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

13. Double Vision<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People who are experiencing astigmatism in the eyes also find that the condition occurs alongside bouts of double-vision. The patient finds that the double-vision problem comes and goes, and they rarely experience it for more than a few moments at a time. However, extreme occurrences of the disorder may cause temporary double vision that influences other symptoms, like vertigo <\/a>and nausea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patients that experience double vision in their eyesight might find it disorientating and confusing, causing them to need to sit down. Many people may find they lose their balance and fall over or stumble. Double vision can cause severe problems if it occurs during driving or other hazardous activities, like sports. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

IF you start to experience double-vision in your eyesight, make an appointment with an optician. They’ll run you through some tests to see if you’re dealing with astigmatism. Depending on your condition, your optician may make eye exercise recommendations and glasses to rectify your vision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

14. Myopia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Patients dealing with the onset of astigmatism notice it coincides with the occurrence of Nearsightedness (myopia). People with myopia can see objects clearly up close, but they lose clarity in the image the further it gets away from them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The change in the eye’s shape due to astigmatism causes light to refract incorrectly in the retina, causing blurry vision when focusing on distant objects. People with the condition find that the retina focuses images in front of it instead of on the retina<\/a>. As a result, it causes a blurry effect on your vision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Myopia makes sit challenging for people to drive, and they’ll need the assistance of glasses to pass a driver’s test. Visiting an optician for fitment for glasses is essential for completing tasks like driving, and some people might find they need glasses for watching TV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Astigmatism can occur alongside myopia (shortsightedness), hypermetropia (farsightedness), or presbyopia (age-related farsightedness). The condition worsens as astigmatism progresses, causing a further loss of vision in the affected individual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\r\n

<\/div>