Astigmatism is a common vision problem affecting about 1 in 3 people. It happens when the cornea or lens isn’t perfectly round, leading to blurry vision.
So, can astigmatism worsen? The answer is yes. A few things can cause astigmatism to change over time, including genetics, getting older, injuries to the eye, or even other eye conditions like keratoconus.
Luckily, astigmatism can be treated with glasses, contacts, or even surgery. The key is to get regular eye exams to keep track of any changes and make sure you’re seeing your best!
What is astigmatism?
Astigmatism happens when your cornea or lens has an irregular shape. Ideally, the cornea is perfectly round. But if you have astigmatism, your cornea is oval-shaped. This keeps light from focusing correctly on your retina, which can lead to blurry or distorted vision at any distance.
You can have astigmatism alongside other vision problems like nearsightedness and farsightedness.
Common symptoms include blurry vision, eyestrain, headaches, and squinting. Some people with astigmatism have trouble driving at night.
Factors that can worsen astigmatism
Although some people’s astigmatism remains stable throughout their lives, in other people, it can worsen over time. Here are some of the factors that can contribute to that:
Aging and natural progression
Like so many other functions of the human body, your eyes change as you age. Aging-related changes in the lenses of your eyes can make astigmatism worse. That’s why it’s important to have regular eye exams to monitor any changes in your vision or in the degree of your astigmatism. Based on the exam, your eyeglass or contact lens prescription can be updated.
Eye injuries and trauma
Eye injuries or eye surgery can also worsen astigmatism. That’s why you should seek immediate care from an optometrist or ophthalmologist if you experience any kind of eye injury.
Keratoconus and other eye conditions
Keratoconus is a disorder that affects the cornea, the clear front surface of your eye. With keratoconus, the cornea thins and bulges outward, which can make astigmatism worse. Eye rubbing has been linked to keratoconus, so it’s wise to avoid rubbing your eyes.
Genetic predisposition
Genetics are thought to play a significant role in the development and progression of astigmatism. If you have a family history of astigmatism, you’re more likely to develop it yourself.
How is astigmatism diagnosed?
Getting regular, comprehensive eye exams is the best way to catch and treat astigmatism early. This is especially important for children, as undiagnosed and uncorrected astigmatism can impact their development.
Optometrists can use several tests to assess astigmatism, including:
- Autorefractor
- Keratometry
- Visual acuity tests
- Refraction
- Corneal topography
These tests help them determine the severity and specific type of astigmatism you have, so they can write the correct prescription for your glasses or contacts.
Managing and treating astigmatism
If you’re living with astigmatism, the good news is there are several ways to manage or treat it.
Corrective lenses: Glasses and contact lenses
For many people, specialized eyeglasses or contact lenses are the simplest way to deal with blurry vision.
Eyeglasses that correct for astigmatism have lenses called toric lenses. Contact lenses, including toric soft lenses and rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses, are also effective. It’s important to have eyeglasses or contacts fitted by a professional to make sure your vision is corrected as fully as possible.
Refractive surgery: LASIK and PRK
For people who are good candidates, LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) and PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) are surgical options that can permanently correct astigmatism.
During these procedures, a laser reshapes the cornea to correct the refractive error that’s causing the blurry vision.
Whether you’re eligible for refractive surgery depends on the health of your eyes and the thickness of your cornea. It’s important to talk over the risks and benefits with an experienced eye surgeon.
Other treatment options
Orthokeratology, sometimes called Ortho-K, involves wearing specialized contact lenses overnight. These lenses temporarily reshape the cornea, so you can see clearly during the day without glasses or contacts.
People with keratoconus, a progressive eye disease, need to be fitted with specialty lenses to get the best possible vision.
Final Thoughts
Whether you have astigmatism or not, it’s important to get your eyes checked regularly. Routine eye exams can help your eye doctor detect any changes in your astigmatism or other aspects of your eye health.
While you can’t always prevent astigmatism from progressing, you can protect your eyes with appropriate eyewear, practice good vision habits, and manage any underlying conditions you may have, such as keratoconus.
If you have questions or concerns about astigmatism, or if you notice any changes in your vision, talk with your eye doctor. They can offer personalized advice and discuss the best treatment options for you.