Blurry vision, constant squinting, or trouble driving at night? Astigmatism might be the reason – and correcting it can be simpler than you think.
What Is Astigmatism?
Astigmatism is one of the most common refractive errors, and it occurs when the eye’s surface isn’t perfectly round. Instead of a basketball shape, think football – an irregular curve that causes light to focus unevenly on the retina. This results in blurry or distorted vision at all distances.
There are two primary types:
- Corneal Astigmatism: Caused by an irregularly shaped cornea (the eye’s clear front layer)
- Lenticular Astigmatism: Caused by an uneven lens inside the eye
You can be born with astigmatism or develop it over time. Either way, the good news is that it's easily correctable.
How Astigmatism is Diagnosed
Astigmatism is usually detected during a comprehensive eye exam, where your optometrist uses a combination of visual acuity tests, keratometry, and corneal topography to map the shape of your eye.
At Accurate Family Vision, we use digital refractive tools for precision measurement – ensuring your prescription is dialed in perfectly for your needs.
Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore
Some signs of astigmatism are obvious, others sneak up on you. Keep an eye out for:
- Blurry or distorted vision
- Frequent headaches or eye fatigue
- Difficulty seeing at night, especially with glare or halos
- Squinting or straining to focus
If any of these sound familiar, it’s time to get checked – especially if you haven’t updated your prescription in a while.
Modern Correction Options for Astigmatism at Accurate Family Vision
Astigmatism isn’t a one-size-fits-all condition – so your treatment shouldn’t be either. Accurate Family Vision offers a range of correction methods tailored to your lifestyle, prescription, and eye shape.
Glasses with Cylinder Correction
The most common and straightforward solution. These lenses use a special cylindrical component to balance light refraction. Many patients notice instant clarity once they switch to glasses that correct for astigmatism—even if they’ve worn glasses before.
Toric Contact Lenses
Designed specifically for astigmatism, toric lenses come in both soft and rigid gas permeable (RGP) varieties. They’re shaped to match the curve of your eye and stay in place better than standard contacts.
Soft toric lenses are popular for comfort, while RGP options offer sharper vision for higher degrees of astigmatism.
Ortho-K: Vision Correction While You Sleep
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) lenses reshape your cornea overnight – no surgery required. In the morning, you remove the lenses and enjoy clear, glasses-free vision throughout the day.
Ortho-K is especially useful for people with active lifestyles or those who can’t tolerate daytime lenses.
LASIK and PRK for Long-Term Results
Surgical correction may be an option for eligible patients. LASIK and PRK use lasers to reshape the cornea and correct the refractive error permanently.
While not everyone qualifies, those who do often see life-changing results and reduced dependence on glasses or contacts.
Why Early Treatment for Astigmatism Matters
Untreated astigmatism can lead to chronic headaches, eyestrain, and even poor night driving performance. In kids, it can contribute to learning issues or amblyopia. And in adults, even mild astigmatism can reduce quality of life – especially if paired with other vision changes like presbyopia.
That’s why early diagnosis and a tailored treatment plan matter. When your eyes work harder to focus, your whole body pays the price.
Astigmatism Correction in Gilbert, AZ
At Accurate Family Vision, we know no two eyes are exactly alike. That’s why our diagnostic process is detail-driven, and our correction strategies are customized just for you. Whether you’re interested in toric lenses, considering LASIK, or just want a better glasses prescription, we’ll help you find a solution that fits.
Seeing blurry or having trouble focusing? Book an astigmatism consultation in Gilbert today and find the correction option that’s right for you.