Astigmatism is a common vision issue where the cornea or lens of the eye isn’t perfectly round, causing blurry or distorted vision, whether you’re looking at things up close or far away. This can happen due to genetics, an injury, or a medical condition. If it’s not treated, astigmatism can lead to eye strain, headaches, and problems with everyday tasks.
Astigmatism
- Overview
- Symptoms
- Causes
- Diagnosis
- Treatment Options
- Patient Success Stories
- Living with Astigmatism
- Contact Us
Overview
Symptoms
Common signs of astigmatism include:
- Blurry or distorted vision at all distances
- Eye strain or headaches from trying to focus
- Trouble seeing fine details or reading
- Difficulty driving at night or in low light
- Problems judging distances
Causes
Astigmatism can happen for several reasons:
- Genetics: If it runs in your family, you may be more likely to develop it
- Injury: Trauma to the eye or nearby areas can cause astigmatism
- Medical conditions: Certain diseases, like keratoconus, increase the risk
- Aging: It can develop naturally as you get older
Diagnosis
Diagnosing astigmatism usually involves a full eye exam, which might include:
- Visual acuity test: To check how well you see
- Refraction test: To figure out the best lens power for clearer vision
- Retinoscopy: To examine the curve of the cornea and lens
- Autorefraction: To measure how your eye bends light
- Keratometry: To measure the shape of your cornea
Treatment Options
The treatment for astigmatism depends on how severe it is. At our hospital, we offer several options:
- Glasses or contact lenses: To correct vision and make it clearer
- Refractive surgery: To change the shape of the cornea and improve vision
- Corneal reshaping: A procedure to reshape the cornea
- Implantable lenses: Lenses that are surgically placed in the eye to improve vision
- Toric lenses: Special lenses to correct astigmatism
Patient Success Stories
At Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital, we are committed to providing the best possible care for children with Astigmatism. Here’s why families trust us:
“When my child was diagnosed with astigmatism, we were concerned about how it would affect their day-to-day life. The team at Gertrude's Children's Hospital was fantastic. They provided top-notch care, and my child's vision has improved greatly. We're so thankful for their help and kindness.”
Davidfather of a child with astigmatism
Astigmatism
If untreated, astigmatism can lead to eye strain, headaches, and difficulty with everyday activities.
It's diagnosed through a complete eye exam that may include tests for visual acuity, refraction, retinoscopy, autorefraction, and keratometry.
Treatment depends on how severe it is and can include glasses, contact lenses, surgery, corneal reshaping, implantable lenses, or toric lenses.
Contact Us
If you or your child has been diagnosed with astigmatism or you’re worried about your vision, contact us today. Our expert team is here to provide you with the best care possible.
Contact us today to learn more about our Astigmatism treatment options.
- Phone: +254-709-529-000, +254-733-645-000
- Email: Info@gerties.org
- Online Scheduling: https://www.gerties.org/book-appointment/
