If you have astigmatism, you’re not alone: around one in six Americans also have a misshapen cornea that leads to blurriness or waviness. Optometrists Dr. Joel Sollom and Dr. Jonathan Schorn can correct astigmatisms with eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other treatment options. Located in Lakeville, and serving the surrounding areas of Apple Valley, Farmington and Rosemount, Minnesota, these doctors work with patients of all ages to improve vision and prevent further sight issues. If you’re looking for an eye doctor near you who can improve your astigmatism, contact Focused Eye Care today. Call the office at 952-985-6467 or book your appointment online now.

What is astigmatism?

Astigmatism is an eye condition typically caused by an irregularly shaped cornea, the transparent layer on the front of your eye. Because of its shape, your cornea doesn’t refract light correctly and creates multiple focus points on the retina at the back of your eye. That makes objects appear blurry or wavy.

Beyond distorting your vision, astigmatism also can cause eye discomfort or headaches from eye strain.

Astigmatism often occurs with both nearsightedness and farsightedness, and there appears to be a hereditary link to developing the condition.

How do I know if I have astigmatism?

A comprehensive eye examination by an optometrist can determine if you have astigmatism. During your exam, your doctor tests how your eye focuses light in a variety of ways.

They may use a visual acuity test, where you read letters of different sizes from a distance chart. Your optometrist also may use a keratometry or topography device. This instrument focuses a circle of light on your cornea, allowing your doctor to measure it, testing the curvature.

To decide on the proper lenses you need, the doctors at Focused Eye Care use a phoropter. With the phoropter, your optometrist places different lenses in front of your eye to see how your focus changes. The device measures these changes, but your input is vital to finding the right lens strength.

Can astigmatism be treated?

In mild cases, astigmatism doesn’t require treatment, but in cases where it impacts your vision, your optometrist may prescribe glasses or contact lenses to improve your vision. By providing special lenses, light bends correctly and eliminates the focus errors that occur with astigmatism.

Depending on your case, Dr. Sollom or Dr. Schorn may recommend an orthokeratology (ortho-k). This noninvasive corneal procedure involves wearing a specialized rigid contact lens that slowly reshapes your cornea.

For some people, laser surgery can eliminate astigmatism. Using a laser, your optometrist rounds the eye’s surface, removing small amounts of eye tissue.

If objects look blurry and you’re concerned that you may have astigmatism, act now. Call Focused Eye Care to schedule your appointment or book it easily online today.