Astigmatism Myths Debunked

Astigmatism is one of the most common eye conditions afflicting people. It’s caused by a refractive error from an irregularly shaped cornea. A cornea with an abnormal shape prevents light from evenly focusing on the retina which results in a blurry vision.

More often than not, it is accommodated with other ocular conditions such as myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness). If you are experiencing unusual blurry vision, it would be in your best interest to see your nearest eye doctor as soon as possible for the proper assessment of your ocular health.

Understanding this type of refractive error requires you to know the facts and myths about astigmatism.

Laser Eye Surgery Is A Must For Astigmatism

Myth. Most likely, your optometrist could provide the necessary vision correction without undergoing any ocular surgery. Optometrists are trained to diagnose and provide the right corrective eyewear for your condition. If your eye problem is a bit complicated or perhaps it’s a symptom of other chronic health diseases, they would be happy to recommend you an ophthalmologist -a highly trained specialist that can help your vision problem on a higher level.

Astigmatism Is A Serious Disease

Myth. As mentioned above, astigmatism is caused by the improper bending of light. This condition could be fixed with the help of corrective eyeglasses and contact lenses. In some cases, your optometrist or ophthalmologist could advise you to undergo laser eye surgeries (which is a very minor surgery than could only take 30 minutes to perform) to reduce your dependence on corrective eyewear.

Anyone Can Easily Be Aware of This Condition

Myth. There are even congenital (inborn) cases of this disease that would only be noticed once the kid showed signs of difficulty with their vision. Even the milder versions of this defect don’t affect vision at all and could worsen with age. It is also observed that young people and women have higher cases of this ocular disease.

Sitting Too Close To a Monitor or TV Can Cause It

Myth. Although experts know that irregularly shaped eyes can cause blurry vision, there is no evidence suggesting that sitting too close to a monitor or tv directly causes this eye problem.

Frequently Rubbing The Eyes Causes Trouble

Fact. Constant vigorous rubbing of the eyes can cause damage and pressure to your cornea. Common among people with allergies, repeatedly doing it could result in an irregularly shaped cornea or eyes affecting the vision.

Early Diagnosis Helps Prevent Complications

Fact. With early detection, especially in children, complications such as the lazy eye (amblyopia) can be easily prevented. On top of that, there could be a more serious health issue underlying your eye problem such as diabetic retinopathy where your eye vessels are blocked.

If you’re not sure who to seek for an eye problem, it might be a good idea to know the difference between opticians, optometrists, and ophthalmologists. And remember that it is a good practice to visit your nearest eye care practitioner at least once a year.

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