Astigmatism: modern treatments

Astigmatism is a pathological condition of refraction of the eye, in which there is a violation of the sphericity of the cornea. With such a disease, objects are distorted and a person sees some contours quite clearly, while others are completely blurred.

With congenital astigmatism, when the deviation range does not exceed 0.5 diopters, no disturbances are felt at all, and the disease itself is classified as “functional”. However, vision can deteriorate quite strongly and dramatically. Such patients already at an early age require treatment of astigmatism using special cylindrical (spherocylindrical) glasses. It is in such manipulations that the main work of a doctor with amblyopia, strabismus and visual discomfort lies..

Why such a disease develops is still not exactly established, in most cases, astigmatism is inherited and congenital, and is detected in childhood. But the disease can appear much later, as a result of an injury or surgery. It is very important that if there are patients with astigmatism in the family, then a mandatory examination of the child by a qualified ophthalmologist is required, even without any disturbances in his vision. It is the timely detection of pathology that will allow the treatment of astigmatism in a child with minimal means.

As for the modern methods that can be used to correct astigmatism, these include glasses, contact lenses and the use of laser correction. The most common method remains the use of glasses, however, their purpose and choice must be taken very seriously. When treating astigmatism, it is necessary to use special cylindrical lenses, which are divided into negative and positive.

The ophthalmologist prescribes the required type of treatment depending on the type of disease. Glasses are not able to provide complete elimination of the discomfort that this disease brings with it, because they limit peripheral vision, and can also disrupt spatial perception and stereoscopic effect. And if they were also chosen incorrectly, then a completely opposite effect is observed, which leads to constant eye fatigue and a significant progression of astigmatism.

Contact lenses can only be used with minor deviations, less than three diopters. They are also prescribed by an ophthalmologist after a preliminary examination and are called toric.

As for the laser treatment of astigmatism, it is used only in relation to adults who have a stable form of this disease..