Considering LASIK as a viable treatment for astigmatism-information from your Orange County, California specialist

Astigmatism, although a common condition, is often misunderstood. When astigmatism develops, something that often happens in childhood, the eye has issues with how it focuses light. Hence, astigmatism is not related to the health of the eye, but rather the physical makeup. When an eye has astigmatism, light does not come into single focus on the retina, but rather develops into multiple points in front of or behind the surface of the retina. Consequently, vision is not as clear as it should be.

Although a refractive condition like nearsightedness or farsightedness, astigmatism produces distorted or blurred vision at all distances, rather than just up-close or far away. In addition to blurred vision, a person with astigmatism may experience eyestrain, headaches, or both–most strongly after extended periods at a computer or reading a book.

Astigmatism, in which the eyeball is shaped more like an oval than a sphere, affects the meridians of one or both eyes. A meridian is the invisible line that spans vertically or horizontally from the pupil to the top or bottom or the sides of the cornea. The condition may develop as one of a few types:

• Hyperopic astigmatism develops when one or both meridians are affected with farsightedness. The degree of farsightedness can differ from one meridian to another.
• Myopic astigmatism occurs when one or both meridians are affected by nearsightedness. The degree of nearsightedness can differ in this condition, as well.
• Mixed astigmatism is the condition in which one meridian is farsighted and the other is nearsighted.

There are a few ways in which vision affected by astigmatism can be corrected. Eyeglasses or contact lenses may be the first method of correction that is tried, but there are those who would prefer to bypass the inconveniences associated with these corrective measures and instead choose LASIK for vision correction. In this quick and painless procedure, the cornea is reshaped and astigmatism handled, eliminating the need for glasses or contacts. With LASIK, better vision is experienced within the first day of treatment in our Orange County, California practice, and enjoyed for an extended period.

To learn more about astigmatism and the various forms of treatment, contact our office today.

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