Seeing things a bit blurry? Let's talk about astigmatism!
Seeing Things a Bit Blurry? Let’s Talk About Astigmatism!
Have you ever looked at a street light or traffic light at night and seen it stretch out like a starburst instead of around glow? Or maybe words on a page just won’t come into focus no matter how much you squint? You might be one of the millions of people with astigmatism—and don’t worry, it’s a lot more common than it sounds! So, What Is Astigmatism Anyway? Astigmatism (pronounced uh-STIG-muh-tiz-um) happens when the clear front part of your eye—called the cornea—or the lens inside your eye isn’t perfectly round. Think of it this way: if your cornea were shaped like a basketball, your vision would be crisp and clear. But if it’s shaped more like a football, light doesn’t focus evenly on the retina, and things can look a little blurry or stretched. Why does it happen you may ask? Most people are born with astigmatism—it’s often just part of how their eyes developed. Sometimes it can show up after an eye injury, eye surgery, or a condition that causes changes to the shape of the cornea. And no, sitting too close to the TV or spending too much time on your phone doesn’t cause it (sorry, parents!).
What Does It Feel Like?
Here are some common signs:
1.Blurry or fuzzy vision (both near and far)
2.Headaches or eyes that feel tired after reading or using a screen
3.Trouble seeing clearly at night
4.Constant squinting to make things sharper
If any of that sounds familiar, it may be time to consider an eye exam to rule out the potential of it being astigmatism. The good news? Astigmatism is super easy to correct! You’ve got a few options:
-Glasses: Simple and stylish! Special lenses bend light the right way to help you see clearly.
-Contact lenses: Toric contacts are made just for astigmatism—and there are even daily disposable ones now.
- Laser surgery: For adults who want to ditch glasses, procedures like LASIK can reshape the cornea for clearer vision.
- Ortho-K lenses: These are hard contact lenses you wear overnight that gently reshape your cornea while you sleep. Wake up, take them out, and see clearly all day!
Living with Astigmatism:
Astigmatism isn’t dangerous—it just means your eyes see the world a bit differently. With the right prescription, your vision can be as sharp as anyone else’s. Regular eye check-ups help make sure your glasses or contacts stay up to date, and your eyes stay healthy and happy. Astigmatism might sound like a complicated word, but it’s really just a fancy way of saying your eyes have their own unique shape. The world’s full of curves and corners—and your cornea just happens to have a few extra of its own. So if things look a little blurry, don’t panic—book an appointment with one of our friendly optometrists here at Blur Eyecare. We will have you seeing and feeling your best in no time! Give us a call on 07 5781513 or visit our website www.blureyecare.co.nz to make a booking online.