What Our Optometrist Wants You to Know
If you have been diagnosed with astigmatism, or think you may have astigmatism, it's important that you know how this visual condition can affect you. At Lock Family Eye Care in West Des Moines, our optometrist would love for you to come in and have an eye exam, as well as discuss your astigmatism.
What Is Astigmatism?
Astigmatism is a common condition in which the cornea is irregularly shaped, rather than perfectly spherical. Astigmatism can also refer to a curve of the lens inside the eye. Most people have some degree of astigmatism, either of the cornea or the lens. For the majority of people, their astigmatism is so slight that it does not cause any noticeable symptoms. For people with more severe astigmatism, the condition can cause blurred vision, eye pain, headaches, and nearsightedness/ farsightedness. There's nothing that a person can do to cause astigmatism. It's typically genetic, and present at birth.
Astigmatism and Contact Lenses
Many people who have astigmatism believe that they are unable to wear contact lenses, but this isn't the case. If you're interested in contact lenses, our optometrist will work with you to find a brand and type of lens that works with the shape of your cornea.
Astigmatism Treatment
The first step in treating astigmatism is to record the curvature of your eye. During an eye exam, our optometrist will measure the surface of your eye to understand more about your astigmatism. From there, you'll discuss a variety of options for working with and/or correcting the curvature of your eye. Glasses and contact lenses that change the way light enters your eyes may be able to provide you relief from astigmatism symptoms. Another option may be ortho-k contact lenses. These rigid lenses are worn while you sleep, and work overnight to change the shape of your eye. This shape change is not permanent, and it's important that you wear the lenses each night. For some people, laser surgery may also be an option to correct astigmatism.
Our eye doctor will talk with you during your eye exam, and together, you'll choose the best path for you when it comes to treating your astigmatism. It's a good idea to write down any questions that you may have about your astigmatism before your appointment, so we can ensure that you leave feeling confident about your treatment choice.
Call Our West Des Moines Eye Doctor
If it's time for your next eye exam, come to Lock Family Eye Care. Call our conveniently located West Des Moines office at (515) 267-1312.
