Astigmatism
Astigmatism is a common vision condition caused by an irregularly shaped cornea or lens. Instead of being perfectly round like a basketball, the surface of the eye is shaped more like a football—curved more in one direction than the other. This irregular shape causes light to focus on multiple points in the eye, rather than a single point on the retina, resulting in blurry or distorted vision at all distances.
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How Astigmatism Can Be Corrected or Managed:
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Eyeglasses: Special lenses are designed to correct the uneven curvature and provide clear, sharp vision.
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Contact Lenses: Toric lenses are made specifically to fit the shape of eyes with astigmatism.
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Refractive Surgery: Procedures like LASIK or PRK can reshape the cornea to correct astigmatism in eligible patients.
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How Common is Astigmatism?
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In the United States, about 1 in 3 people (approximately 33%) have some degree of astigmatism.
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According to studies, over 70% of people with glasses or contact lenses have astigmatism along with either myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness).
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It can occur at any age, including in children and infants.
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