If your vision is blurry, you may have a common eye condition called astigmatism. Trang Dao, OD, and her team of optometrists at InFocus Vision, with offices in Fort Worth and Cedar Hill, Texas, are vision experts who can determine if your vision changes are related to astigmatism and provide treatment to help give you clearer eyesight. Call today or schedule an appointment using the online booking button.
Astigmatism Q & A
What is astigmatism?
Astigmatism is a common vision condition that causes blurry vision due to a change in the shape of your eye lens. An irregular eye lens prevents the light from focusing properly on your retina, leading to visual changes.
If you have astigmatism, you may also have other visual issues, such as nearsightedness or farsightedness.
Astigmatism may develop as you get older or result following eye surgery. A rare condition called keratoconus, which causes a thinning of your cornea, may also lead to astigmatism.
In some people, astigmatism can be mild and not affect vision.
How do I know if I have astigmatism?
Your optometrist at InFocus Vision can assess you for astigmatism during your comprehensive eye exam. Some of the specific tests include:
Visual acuity
Visual acuity is a test that measures how well you see from a distance and is measured as a fraction. A visual acuity of 20/20 is considered normal vision. However, if your visual acuity is 20/40 that means you need to get within 20 feet to see a letter that can normally be clearly seen at 40 feet.
Keratometry
A keratometer is a tool your optometrist uses to measure the curvature of your cornea. This test also measures your eye if you plan on using contact lenses to improve your vision.
Refraction
During the refraction test, your optometrist uses a series of lenses placed in front of your eyes to determine the prescription that improves light reflection to your retina.
How can treating my astigmatism improve my vision?
Your optometrist at InFocus Vision can improve your astigmatism and the vision changes with prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses. Dr. Dao is a contact lens specialist, and you may find you have clearer vision with contacts than with eyeglasses. She will work with you help you find the best vision correction for you.
You may also be able to reshape the eyes using a series of hard contact lenses. This treatment is referred to as orthokeratology. Laser surgery is also an option for people with astigmatism. Dr. Dao can co-manage your astigmatism with an eye surgeon if you plan on having corrective eye surgery.
Call InFocus Vision today if you have concerns about your vision and need to be evaluated for astigmatism. Or, schedule an appointment online.
