Astigmatism Treatment in Derry, NH & Surrounding Areas
One in three people has astigmatism, though many people who have it have never been formally diagnosed. You can develop the condition at any point in your life, and it can get better or worse over time depending on your lifestyle, health, and whether you seek treatment.
At Spindel Eye Associates, we have a team of experienced optometrists and ophthalmologists who specialize in diagnosing and treating vision problems and eye conditions. We can perform a comprehensive eye exam to determine if you have astigmatism. We can then recommend the most effective treatment available. Call now to schedule a consultation for astigmatism treatment in Derry, NH, and the surrounding areas.
What Is Astigmatism?
Astigmatism is a common eye condition caused by a refractive error. This means that either your cornea or lens is more curved than it should be, causing blurry vision and other vision problems. While normal eyes are round, when you have astigmatism, your eye is shaped more like a football. This causes the light that enters your eyes to bend unevenly, affecting your vision.
Types of Astigmatism
When light enters your eyes on its way to your brain, it passes through your cornea first. Your cornea then focuses that light into a signal transmitted to your retina at the back of your eyeball. Your retina converts light into electrical signals sent to your brain by your optic nerve. Your brain converts or interprets those signals into images you can see. When you have astigmatism, the light that enters your eye is bent, and it can’t properly focus on your retina. Parts of the object you’re looking at may be blurry or wavy. The two types of astigmatism are:
- Corneal Astigmatism – Your cornea has an irregular shape.
- Lenticular Astigmatism – The lens in your eye has an irregular shape, often caused by cataracts.
Recognizing Astigmatism Symptoms
If you notice any changes in your vision or experience any eye-related symptoms, visit an eye care specialist as soon as possible. Many eye conditions can be reversed or slowed if you receive early intervention. The most common symptoms of astigmatism are:
- Seeing a halo or glare around lights
- Having blurry vision
- Needing to squint to see clearly
- Developing stress or tension headaches or migraines
- Experiencing eye fatigue or eye strain
Common Astigmatism Causes
Astigmatism is a hereditary condition. Your biological parents may have passed it down to you. It can also be caused by excessive pressure on your cornea caused by your eyelids or eye trauma. Some conditions can increase your risk of astigmatism, like keratoconus or complications after eye surgery.
Diagnosing Astigmatism
When you visit us for eye exams, we will evaluate you for signs of eye conditions like astigmatism. You can also make an appointment for an eye exam if you notice symptoms of astigmatism or experience any changes in your vision. We use several tests to diagnose astigmatism, including a refraction test, visual acuity test, slit lamp exam, and keratometry assessment.
Astigmatism Treatment Options
Mild cases of astigmatism may not require treatment, but it’s still best to get an eye exam and diagnosis from an eye specialist. We will evaluate the level of astigmatism you have and determine the best method of treatment to slow the progression of the condition and improve your vision and eye health:
- Corrective Lenses – The easiest way to treat astigmatism is to wear prescription eyeglasses or corrective contact lenses. Astigmatism eyeglasses will correctly direct light into your eye so that it can bend evenly and produce clear images. Toric contact lenses have a unique shape that corrects the irregular curvature of your cornea and ensures light focus properly on the retina. You will need to visit your eye doctor regularly to make sure your astigmatism prescription is up to date, but this is the least invasive form of treatment.
- Refractive Laser Surgery – If you want to correct your astigmatism without wearing glasses or contact lenses, then refractive laser surgery may be right for you. This surgery changes the shape of your cornea and reduces your dependence on corrective lenses. LASIK eye surgery is currently the most common refractive surgery for correcting astigmatism.
Why Choose Spindel Eye Associates
At Spindel Eye Associates, we have been providing exceptional vision services to our community for 36 years. Our team of experienced optometrists and ophthalmologists focuses on providing patient-centered care and individualized solutions for vision problems and eye diseases. We specialize in the prevention and management of eye disorders and personalized eye care treatment plans that improve vision and overall eye health. Our state-of-the-art technology and advanced treatment options are designed to improve patient comfort and enhance outcomes.
Make an Appointment for Astigmatism Treatment
It’s best to treat astigmatism as early as possible to relieve symptoms, correct vision, and slow the progression of the condition. Call us now or contact us online to make an appointment for an eye exam, diagnosis, and astigmatism treatment in Derry, NH. We treat patients in Derry, Londonderry, Windham, Raymond, and the surrounding areas. Our experienced eye specialists can assess the extent of your condition, evaluate you for other vision problems and eye conditions, and design a safe, effective treatment plan.
FAQs About Astigmatism
How does astigmatism treatment work? Astigmatism treatment corrects blurry vision by refocusing the light that hits the retina. Eyeglasses and contact lenses compensate for uneven lens or corneal curvature by bending light properly.
Why is early treatment for astigmatism so important? Astigmatism can progress and worsen without treatment, especially in young children. Without treatment, you are at risk of developing eye problems like a lazy eye. With treatment, you can improve your vision and quality of life.
Do I need surgery for astigmatism? For most patients, we recommend more conservative treatment options first. However, if these treatments are not as effective as you had hoped, we may recommend surgery. LASIK and other refractive eye surgeries can correct astigmatism completely or in part.