What is Astigmatism?  

Astigmatism is common. The American Academy of Ophthalmology estimates that 1 in 3 people have at least some degree of astigmatism.

This condition happens when the cornea and/or lens in your eye aren’t perfectly curved. Any abnormality in the curvature of these tissues can disrupt the way light normally enters the eye and prevent light from focusing clearly on the light-sensitive retina. This can lead to blurry vision at any viewing distance.

Many people are born with astigmatism, but it can also develop later in life as a result of things like eye surgery, trauma, or infection. You may also be more at risk for astigmatism if you have other refractive errors such as nearsightedness (myopia) and farsightedness (hyperopia), which are a result of abnormalities in the shape of the cornea and/or eyeball itself.

Astigmatism Signs and Symptoms

Astigmatism symptoms can range from mild to very pronounced. People with astigmatism may notice:

• Blurry vision
• The need to squint in order to see
• Eye strain or fatigue
• Headaches
• Impaired night vision

How Our Riverdale Optometrist Staff Treats Astigmatism

For some people, their astigmatism is so mild that they don’t need any special interventions other than routine eye exams. But when astigmatism becomes severe enough to affect vision, it’s important to work with an eye doctor who can monitor your condition and provide individualized treatments to help you see better in your day-to-day life.

At Riverdale Vision Care, our optometrist team provides comprehensive diagnostic services to help detect and assess astigmatism. We work with our patients to provide meaningful vision care solutions that help them see better. Some of our top astigmatism treatment options include:

• Prescription eyeglasses and/or contact lenses
• Hard-to-fit contact lenses (e.g., scleral lenses) for advanced forms of astigmatism
• Orthokeratology, a specialized contact lens worn at night that temporarily reshapes the corneas and improves daytime vision

Some people choose to undergo surgical interventions like laser eye surgery (LASIK) in order to correct their astigmatism. In these cases, our Riverdale optometry team happily provides essential pre-and post-operative care to ensure your procedure goes smoothly and your outcomes are optimized!

If you live near Riverdale, NJ, and are concerned about astigmatism symptoms, contact Riverdale Vision Care today at 973-248-0060 to schedule a comprehensive eye exam.