If you’ve ever seen your world a bit blurrier than others, felt your eyes strain too easily, or been told your eyeball shape is more football than spherical, you might be familiar with astigmatism. This common vision condition affects how the eye focuses light, often leading to blurred or distorted vision. But what makes astigmatism worsen over time, and more importantly, can you fix it? At Wildwood Vision Specialists, we’re committed to not just answering these questions but also providing tangible solutions that improve your vision and your life.
What Causes Astigmatism to Worsen?
Astigmatism stems from an irregular curvature of the cornea or lens in your eye. While some of us are born with it, others may develop it due to various factors. But why does it worsen for some and not others?
- Age: Just like the rest of our body, our eyes change as we age. These changes can make astigmatism more pronounced.
- Screen Time: In our digital age, the excessive strain from prolonged screen use can exacerbate eye conditions, including astigmatism.
- Environmental Factors: Poor lighting and frequent squinting can worsen the stress on your eyes.
- Health Conditions: Diabetes and other conditions that affect your body’s systems can also influence your eye health.
Regular eye exams are crucial because they help monitor these changes before they lead to significant vision problems.
How to Fix Astigmatism
Fortunately, worsening astigmatism can be managed with several effective treatments:
- Corrective Lenses: The most common and simplest way to correct astigmatism is through glasses or specially designed contact lenses that correct the uneven curvature of your cornea or lens.
- Orthokeratology (Ortho-K): This involves wearing specially designed rigid contact lenses overnight that reshape your cornea temporarily, allowing you clear vision during the day without the need for glasses or contacts.
- Refractive Surgery: Procedures like LASIK or PRK can permanently correct the shape of the cornea and are a popular long-term solution for those eligible.
Beyond these medical treatments, lifestyle changes can also make a significant difference:
- Eye Exercises: While not a cure, certain exercises can help manage eye strain and support overall eye health.
- Nutrition: Maintaining a diet rich in vitamins and nutrients like Omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, and Vitamin A can support eye health.
- Proper Lighting and Breaks: Regular breaks from screens and adequate lighting can reduce eye strain.
Patient Stories and Experiences
At Wildwood Vision Specialists, we’ve seen numerous success stories. Take, for example, Brian, who said “I will be a return customer to Wildwood Vision Specialists. Not only did they do a great job with my eyeglass prescription, they informed me that I could have better vision with contacts. They were right! Other eye doctors always said I wouldn’t see as good with contacts because of my astigmatism. They were wrong. I am so glad I chose Wildwood Vision Specialists!”
Understanding and managing astigmatism is key to not just maintaining but improving your quality of life. With the right knowledge and support from a dedicated team like ours at Wildwood Vision Specialists, clearer vision is not just a possibility—it’s a promise.
Ready to see the world more clearly? Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards better vision.
