Does Astigmatism Require Glasses?
Astigmatism does not always require glasses. Corrective lenses are required only in cases where the cornea’s curvature is severe enough to prevent the human eye from focusing on light rays.
More Info: Astigmatism refers to an abnormal, elliptical shaping of the front surface of the human eye or cornea. Although it is part of the larger group of eye conditions known as refractive errors, a category that includes the more commonly known ailments of nearsightedness and farsightedness, astigmatism is neither a disease nor a specific cause of vision problems.
Irregular Curvatures
Corrective lenses are required only in cases where the cornea’s curvature is severe enough to prevent the human eye from focusing on light rays. Unlike nearsightedness or farsightedness, someone with severe astigmatism will experience distorted or blurred vision at both close and long range. They may also suffer from headaches, fatigue, and other discomforts due to abnormal curvature.
Astigmatism is hereditary and usually occurs in tandem with other conditions, such as nearsightedness or farsightedness. Any eye exam that includes a standard refraction test can detect the degree of a person’s astigmatism.
LASIK Surgery
Astigmatism is among several conditions that LASIK surgery can now correct, a.k.a. Laser-Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis. The first step involves the creation of a thin flap near the cornea’s surface. Using a laser allows the flap to be created with a much higher level of precision than previous techniques involving a microkeratome.
Once the flap is created, the LASIK surgery then reshapes the cornea into a perfect, circular shape. Once the cornea has been remolded, the flap is placed on top of the cornea to complete the corrective procedure.
Even though LASIK is a relatively new medical science, the Food and Drug Administration already has a long list of recommended guidelines for prospective patients. These include a convenient list of FDA-approved LASIK lasers and guidelines that are advisable for younger age patients. Ultimately, astigmatism is a relatively common, very minor, and entirely treatable eye condition.
Resources
University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center – Astigmatism
