Diagnosis & Treatment
What is Astigmatism?
Astigmatism is a feature of nearly every person’s cornea in the world. Yes, we all have astigmatism. Humans have a cornea that is essentially shaped like a bowl. That bowl has a particular steepness. If the bowl is a bit steeper in the vertical dimension than it is in the horizontal dimension, then that cornea has toricity, or astigmatism. Astigmatism can be vertically oriented, horizontally oriented, or obliquely oriented. All of these orientations are overwhelmingly normal and perfectly healthy.
There are some forms of astigmatism, however, that are not normal but are irregular. These forms of astigmatism are much more rare and are associated with certain pathological conditions that require additional therapy and attention. We diagnose and treat these irregular forms of astigmatism using specialized instrumentations, specific techniques and lenses, and in some cases, surgery.
Typically, patients who have uncorrected astigmatism have subtle to pronounced blurry vision for both near and far targets. Often, nighttime driving can be difficult because lights tend to starburst or appear doubled. Patients with uncorrected astigmatism commonly have much better visual acuity than those with simple myopia, especially in good lighting.
Nearly everyone.
Astigmatism can occur in children and adults, but your chance of developing astigmatism may be higher if you have one of the following:
- a family history of astigmatism or other eye disorders,
- scarring or thinning of your cornea,
- excessive nearsightedness,
- excessive farsightedness, or
- a history of certain types of eye surgery, such as cataract surgery.
Heredity, ethnicity, environment, anatomy and, in some rare cases, genetic disorders can cause astigmatism.
Astigmatism can be treated with corrective lenses, laser corrective surgery (in some cases), or a surgery known as Collagen Cross-Linking.
Is astigmatism affecting your vision?
We can help!
1. Contact Our Office
Call, email, or send a message to our Greenville optometrist to ask questions or schedule an appointment.
2. Get Your Exam
Our skilled staff and doctors will use years of experience and state-of-the-art equipment to diagnose your eye health.
3. Enjoy Better Vision
With a clear diagnosis, we'll present the best treatment options to help you protect or improve your vision.