Astigmatism - a guide to astigmatism from Contactlenses.co.uk

Astigmatism is a condition of the eye which causes vision difficulties - most notably an inability to see fine detail. A very common problem, many experts believe that everyone has astigmatism to some degree, although in many cases it's so mild that it goes unnoticed throughout a person's life. It's not until difficulties occur that the condition may be diagnosed and require treatment. 

Those with astigmatism may also have other vision abnormalities, such as nearsightedness or farsightedness, but even if your vision is sharp, you could still have the condition. Symptoms can often include headaches, fatigue and squinting, as well as eye discomfort or irritation.

There are two different types of astigmatism - regular and irregular.

Regular astigmatism is characterised by an irregular curvature of the cornea or lens of the eye. The exact reasons that a person may develop this condition are not fully understood. However, most experts believe it is - at least partially - an inherited trait.

Irregular astigmatism is usually caused by damage to the eye, such as corneal scarring or scattering in the crystalline lens of the eye.

In either case, a variation in the eye will create a refractive error. This will cause light to focus improperly within the eye and, depending on the severity of the condition, may result in vision becoming noticeably blurry or distorted.

Treatment depends on the type of condition that you have, as well as the severity. Some people may have been told that they cannot wear contact lenses with astigmatism, but this is not always true. 

Regular astigmatism can be corrected with any sort of standard corrective lens - contacts or spectacles - while irregular astigmatism can only be rectified with contact lenses. Laser refractive surgery may also be an option, but contact lenses are generally seen as the safest, easiest and most affordable solution for most situations. 

The lenses used to correct astigmatism are known as toric lenses. These are available as both soft lenses and hard, gas permeable lenses and the right choice depends on personal preference, as well as the strength of the prescription required. 

Those who are diagnosed with astigmatism should be sure to get their eyes checked on a regular basis in order to monitor the condition and adjust their corrective lenses as required. 

If you are concerned about problems with your vision, the best thing to do is get an eye examination. Your eye care professional will carry out various tests to determine the nature and severity of your condition. They will ask you questions about your lifestyle and working habits to determine the best way to get you seeing clearly again. 

If you have been diagnosed with astigmatism, a common solution is the use of corrective lenses. At Contactlenses.co.uk, we believe that visual problems should not get in the way of your normal lifestyle. That's why we've made it simple, fast and affordable to get contact lenses to correct your vision. 

We can also help you to keep up with the latest contact lenses news, enabling you to find out about the most recent research into vision correction and treatment options.