Astigmatism is a very common vision problem for people of all ages, causing blurry or unfocused vision that can interfere with school and cause other symptoms, too.
Unlike farsightedness or nearsightedness, which cause vision problems when focusing on near or far objects, astigmatism causes blurry vision at all distances.
The team at ABC Children's Eye Specialists helps children of all ages get the necessary care and treatment to give them the clearest vision possible so they can enjoy every aspect of being a kid. Here, learn more about astigmatism, including why it happens and how it’s treated.
“Seeing” might seem like a simple process, but it’s surprisingly complex. When we see, light enters the eye through the clear cornea on the front of the eye and the lens located behind the pupil. Together, the cornea and lens help focus the light on the retina at the back of the eye.
The retina contains light-sensitive cells that gather light and shadow information, which in turn is transmitted to the brain via the optic nerve. The brain interprets that information and “translates” it into the images we see.
Because the cornea and lens play such critical roles in focusing light when it enters your eye, even a tiny change in the shape or structure of your child’s eye can result in significant vision problems, including refractive errors like astigmatism.
In astigmatism, subtle differences in the shape of the cornea or lens (or both) cause the light rays to “bend” and converge in front of the retina or behind it.
Because the rays aren’t focused, your vision isn’t either. That’s why astigmatism causes general blurriness at every distance, rather than blurriness at near or far distances like hyperopia or myopia.
Astigmatism is often present at birth. In fact, most newborns have some degree of astigmatism, although it typically changes slowly and improves as the eye and vision skills develop over time.
Other times, astigmatism doesn’t fully resolve, leaving kids with vision issues. Researchers aren’t sure why this type of astigmatism occurs, but they think it’s caused by specific genes.
Astigmatism can also occur following an eye injury, infection or eye disease, or after eye surgery, particularly surgery involving the cornea. Note that you can’t develop astigmatism as a result of habits like watching too much TV, using a smartphone too much, or reading or doing other activities in low-light environments.
Because astigmatism can improve as your child grows, it’s typically treated only if it causes symptoms or interferes with school or other activities. There is no way to prevent astigmatism, but there are ways to treat it.
For most kids, correcting astigmatism means wearing glasses or contact lenses to help compensate for the abnormalities that cause blurry vision. Annual visits with our team ensure your child’s prescription stays perfectly adjusted to their needs.
Astigmatism doesn’t always cause symptoms, especially if it’s mild. More advanced astigmatism can cause symptoms like:
If you notice these symptoms or if your child complains of issues with their eyes or their vision, it’s important to schedule an eye exam right away.
Untreated astigmatism can result in poor performance in school, in sports, or in other activities. Regular eye exams beginning during the preschool years ensure your child gets the care they need to see clearly and succeed in all of their activities.
To schedule an exam for your child, call our offices to book an appointment with the team at ABC Children’s Eye Specialists in Phoenix, Avondale, and Mesa, Arizona, today.
