Are you having trouble seeing at night? Do you have fuzzy vision, itching eyes, or occasional headaches? Do nearby objects appear distorted (hyperopia) or those far away seem blurry (myopia)? You may have astigmatism. One out of three Americans is at risk of developing astigmatism. The prevalence of farsightedness among people above the age of 40 years old stands at 8.4%. At Wardell Vision Center in Billings, we offer treatment for astigmatism.

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What Is Astigmatism?

Astigmatism is a common eye condition caused by an error in the spherical curve of the cornea. This deviation in the trajectory of the eye’s surface affects the refraction and passage of light to the eyeball. As a result, you may have fuzzy sight, shortsightedness, or farsightedness. Astigmatism occurs as either lenticular or corneal depending on the part of the eye that has been contorted.

How Do People Get Astigmatism?

Scientists have not agreed as to what is the actual cause of astigmatism, but many optometrists say that it is genetic. Most cases are detected from birth. Some people, however, develop it when they are adults. Most of the adult cases result from previous operations such as cataract surgery or due to eye injuries.

Signs of Astigmatism

Some people do not show any signs at all. The symptoms can vary from one individual to the other. Common signs include:

  • Distorted Sight
  • Shortsightedness/Longsightedness
  • Troubled vision at night
  • Eyes looking in different directions (squinting eyes)
  • Migraines

Diagnosis and Treatment

Optometrists use various assessment techniques to identify astigmatism:

  • You could be asked to identify and read letters on a chart placed some distance away to evaluate how well your eye recognizes them. This is known as the visual acuity test.
  • The optometrist can determine your eyeball’s spherical curve using a keratometer. This technique is called keratometry.
  • Alternatively, the optometrist can instruct you to read charts through an optical refractor that uses lenses that are tuned to different diopters (lens strengths). This will help the specialist to know the type of lens you may need.

After reviewing the results, the eye doctor will discuss the appropriate treatment to correct your vision. Depending on the severity of your condition, you may require surgery, corrective glasses, Ortho-K, or contact lenses.

Get Your Contact Lenses From Wardell Vision Center

Contact lenses are a simple solution and as such are likely to be recommended to correct your vision. Most astigmatic people, both new and those who have been using correctional glasses, are increasingly embracing contact lenses as a preferred solution. We offer bifocal contact lenses that correct both myopia and hyperopia. If you believe you are dealing with astigmatism and you live in the Billings area, call Wardell Vision Center today at (406) 281-8480 to schedule an appointment.