What is astigmatism ?

Many people are not even aware that they are suffering from astigmatism, those who are, consider it a disease. Astigmatism is an optical error, characterised by a disturbance in rotational symmetry of an eye. If eye’s width is bigger than its height, the cornea along with the lens will, instead of focusing light in a round area of the retina, create an image blurred in one of the directions. Even good glasses aren’t enough to fully correct the astigmatism, that’s why a person suffering from it can’t properly use optical tools.

There are 2 types of astigmatism:

• regular – there are two optical axes which are perpendicular, this type can be corrected with proper, cylindrical glasses
• irregular – eye has two optical axes, which are not perpendicular; this type can’t be corrected with glasses.

Seeing letters with and without astigmatism:

(source : Wikipedia The Free Encyclopaedia)

Test for astigmatism

In order to perform the test you should look at the below picture from different distances, because, in some cases, the astigmatism may manifest at specific distance. You should look at the picture from such distance that allows seeing all the lines clearly.

Healthy person will see all the lines clearly, the will all look even and equally black. If a person perceives the picture in a different way, if some of the lines seem uneven, thicker than others or they are unequally distanced from each other, it may be that the person is suffering from astigmatism.

In ArtLife Ophthalmology Centre we correct sight impairments with an excimer laser:

• hyperopia,
• myopia,
• astigmatism, also when combined with above impairments,

The qualification for the procedure and the procedure itself may be performed in one day. Laser Vision Correction is a modern alternative for traditional methods of vision correction. It provides incomparably higher sense of comfort, freedom and higher quality of life.

If you suffer from any sight errors call or email us, make an appointment today.
You deserve a better quality of life !

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