Blurry Vision Doesn’t Always Mean You Need Glasses
Do you constantly deal with blurry or double vision — especially at night? You might be dealing with astigmatism. It’s a condition that affects how light is focused in the eye, which leads to poor visual clarity at any distance. And while many people assume they’re just nearsighted or farsighted, astigmatism is different.
In this blog, our eye care team will walk you through the basics of astigmatism: what causes it, what symptoms to look for, and how it’s treated. Whether you’ve just started noticing vision changes or you're overdue for an eye exam, understanding astigmatism can help you know what steps to take next.
What Is Astigmatism?
Astigmatism is a refractive error — like nearsightedness (myopia) or farsightedness (hyperopia) — but it’s caused by an irregular curvature of the cornea or lens. Instead of being perfectly round, the eye is shaped more like a football, which causes light to bend unevenly as it enters.
This uneven light refraction means your retina receives multiple points of focus rather than one, making your vision appear blurry or distorted. Astigmatism can be present from birth or develop over time, and it often occurs alongside other refractive errors.
Causes of astigmatism include:
- Genetics (most common)
- Eye injury or surgery
- Corneal diseases like keratoconus
You can have astigmatism in one or both eyes, and it may change gradually over time.
Astigmatism Symptoms: What Should You Look Out For?
Some people with astigmatism may not notice any symptoms at first, especially if it's mild. But as the condition progresses or if it’s combined with other vision problems, symptoms become more noticeable.
Common astigmatism symptoms include:
- Blurry or distorted vision at all distances
- Difficulty seeing clearly at night
- Frequent squinting
- Headaches or eye strain, especially after reading
- Halos around lights
- Trouble seeing fine details
Because these symptoms are also common with other eye issues, the only way to know for sure is with a comprehensive eye exam.
Astigmatism Treatment Options
The good news? Astigmatism is highly manageable. Once diagnosed, your optometrist will recommend the best treatment option based on your lifestyle, the severity of your astigmatism, and whether you have other refractive errors.
Here are the most common ways astigmatism is treated:
1. Glasses
Eyeglasses with special cylindrical lenses are the most straightforward and affordable option. They compensate for the uneven shape of your cornea or lens and help light focus correctly on your retina.
2. Contact Lenses
Toric contact lenses are specially designed to address astigmatism. Some patients prefer contacts for aesthetic reasons or better peripheral vision. There are also hybrid and rigid gas permeable lenses for more complex cases.
3. Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)
This is a non-surgical option that uses rigid lenses to temporarily reshape the cornea overnight. It’s especially popular for people with mild to moderate astigmatism who want daytime freedom from glasses or contacts.
4. LASIK and Other Refractive Surgeries
For those seeking a long-term solution, refractive surgery like LASIK can permanently reshape the cornea to correct astigmatism. Not everyone is a candidate, so your optometrist will help determine if surgery is right for you.
Astigmatism Treatment in Your Area
At our clinic, we diagnose and treat astigmatism with personalized care plans designed to suit your vision needs and lifestyle. Our team uses advanced technology to accurately assess your vision and recommend the best solutions — whether that’s glasses, contact lenses, or a referral for LASIK.
Astigmatism is common, manageable, and doesn’t have to interfere with your daily life. If you’ve been squinting more than usual or struggling to see clearly, it might be time for an eye exam.
Book an appointment with our eye care team today and get clarity on your vision.