Astigmatism is a common refractive error caused by an irregularly shaped cornea or eye lens. While myopia compromises your ability to see far away, and hyperopia causes difficulty seeing up close, astigmatism causes blurred vision at all distances. At the office of Blairsville, our highly trained team of eye care professionals can accurately diagnose astigmatism and provide a prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses to correct your vision.
In order for light rays to focus correctly on the retina, the cornea and lens of the eye must be smooth and evenly curved. If you have astigmatism, the irregular shape of your cornea or curvature of your eye lens prevents the eye from focusing light rays evenly onto the retina. During your eye exam, we’ll perform a visual acuity test, which involves reading letters on a chart hanging at a distance. We will also evaluate your eyes anatomy using advanced diagnostic technology, which allows us to measure the curvature of the cornea and assess your eyes’ ability to focus light. Once we’ve determined the level of correction needed, we can prescribe a course of care.
Eyeglasses are the most popular option to help people with astigmatism see clearly, and with our office’s extensive selection of stylish glasses, you’ll be able to find a pair that look great and fit comfortably. Contact lenses are also a great options in care. When treating astigmatism with contact lenses, rigid gas permeable lenses may be recommended. Custom made toric contact lenses can also fit the irregular shape of the cornea to effectively correct astigmatism; toric lenses can be made from soft, comfortable hydrogels. While the most common methods of correction involve an eyeglass prescription or contact lenses, other approaches to care may include a LASIK procedure or a treatment known as orthokeratology, which involves specialized contact lenses worn only at night.
At the office of Blairsville, we’re dedicated to providing the highest quality of skilled and compassionate care. For more information on our office and the many services that we provide, give us a call today.
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