If you have heard the word astigmatism at an eye exam and were not sure what it meant, you are not alone. Astigmatism is very common and is a main reason people wear glasses or contact lenses.
What Astigmatism Means
In a typical eye, the front surface — the cornea — is shaped more like a basketball, round in every direction. With astigmatism, the cornea or the lens inside the eye is shaped more like a football, curved more in one direction than the other.
That uneven curve means light does not focus to a single clear point. Vision can look blurred, stretched, or shadowed at all distances. Astigmatism often occurs with nearsightedness or farsightedness, so many prescriptions correct for them together. It is not an eye disease and does not mean your eyes are damaged.
Common Signs You May Notice
Many people have mild astigmatism and notice no problems, especially if it is corrected. When it is uncorrected or has changed, you might notice blurred or distorted vision, letters that look doubled or smeared, difficulty reading road signs at night, eyestrain or headaches after reading or computer work, squinting, and glare around lights when driving.
Children may not describe these problems clearly. A child might hold books very close, tilt their head, cover one eye, or avoid reading. A regular eye exam can catch astigmatism even when a child does not complain.
What Causes Astigmatism
Most astigmatism is present from birth and may change slowly as eyes grow and age. It can run in families. In some cases, it can develop or change after an eye injury, eye surgery, or certain eye conditions that affect the cornea.
Because the amount can change over time, an older prescription may no longer give you clear vision. Regular eye exams help keep your prescription current.
How an Eye Exam Checks for Astigmatism
During a comprehensive eye exam, your optometrist measures the shape and curve of your cornea and checks how your eyes focus light. You will also compare lens choices — the familiar “which is clearer, one or two?” — to fine-tune the correction for each eye. The exam also checks overall eye health, not just your prescription.
At Infinite Eyecare in Mill Woods, we explain what we find in plain language. Eye exams for children under 19 and seniors are covered by Alberta Health Care. For other patients, we offer direct billing to most major insurers.
Glasses, Contacts and Other Options
Astigmatism is usually corrected with glasses or contact lenses shaped to match the uneven curve of your eye. Your prescription includes extra numbers for astigmatism, often labelled cylinder and axis, describing the amount and direction of correction needed.
Soft lenses made for astigmatism, called toric lenses, are widely available, as are rigid lenses for some prescriptions. Your optometrist can help you compare options for your eyes and daily activities. Laser vision surgery needs a separate assessment, as not every prescription or eye is suitable.
Wearing an older prescription will not damage your eyes, but it can leave you with blur, eyestrain, and headaches that a current prescription could reduce.
Book an Eye Exam in Mill Woods
If your vision seems blurred, stretched, or less clear at night, or if it has been a while since your last exam, booking a comprehensive eye exam is a practical next step.
Infinite Eyecare is located at 4275 23 Ave NW, Mill Woods, Edmonton. Call us at 780-425-0003 to book your eye exam.
