What is astigmatism?
Astigmatism occurs when your eye is not entirely round. In truth, astigmatism is present in almost everyone – but it only leads to blurry vision at a certain degree.
Think of your eye as a spherical ball. Usually, when light enters your eye it bends evenly. This creates a sharp image of what you see on the tissues at the back of your inner eye. However, if you have astigmatism your eye is shaped more like an elliptical football. As a result, the light is not bent evenly and only one part of the picture is transmitted clearly and in focus at one time.
Diagnosis & Treatment by Your Eye Doctor in Boise
If you experience problems with your eyesight, we invite you to book an eye exam in our Boise office. Our optometrist will inspect your vision and eyes to make a precise diagnosis and determine the most effective treatment. At , our Boise eye doctor is skilled and experienced in diagnosing and treating astigmatism - so you see crisp and clear.
What is a stigma?
Stigma is actually referring to a type of refractive error known properly as astigmatism and it's is relatively common. There are three types of refractive error, myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. The former two are more regularly referred to as nearsighted (cannot see far away) and farsighted (cannot see up close). Astigmatism is simply the third category; it affects both the near and far vision at the same time. Much like nearsightedness or farsightedness, astigmatism is corrected using glasses or contacts.
Technically speaking an eye with astigmatism requires two different prescriptions to correct vision in one eye due to the more oval shape of the cornea. This will require a more specialized contact lens and a more in-depth fitting procedure.
Sometimes, this symptom is blamed mistakenly on eye fatigue or strain. But only a complete eye exam in Boise can determine the problem; contact our eye doctor to book an appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions - Vision Care
Q: How does astigmatism affects reading fluency?
- A: Astigmatism can affect a child’s reading skills. Proper vision can boost a child's reading and confidence. Book an Eye Exam for your child today. If your child needs prescription eyeglasses, at Artisan Optics, our skilled eye doctors and opticians are here to help.
Q: What are Toric Contact Lenses?
- A: Toric contact lenses are designed to correct astigmatism and custom-made to fit the eye of the patient. Rather than having a perfectly spherical surface like standard contact lenses, toric lenses have a more oblong shape made to accommodate the shape of the astigmatic eye. Toric lenses can be made of either soft or rigid gas permeable (RGP or GP) lens material, however soft toric lenses are more common.