The eyes are one of the most important sensory organs and should be taken care of properly. There is a common disorder that affects our eyes – Astigmatism, and China’s population is most affected by it. There is a misconception that people think of this as an eye disease or an eye health problem. It is a common focusing problem caused by an irregularity of the curvature of the cornea (the front of the eye). In this blog, you will learn about ‘what is Astigmatism’and more about this disorder.
What is Astigmatism?
Astigmatism is caused by a cornea or lens-shaped differently than the normal one. It is also referred to as a common refractive error in clinical terms. If the parallel rays of the light do not converge on the retina, then the vision becomes blurry and Astigmatism occurs.
Now that we have understood ‘what is Astigmatism’, let’s dig deeper and understand its causes, symptoms, types, and its cures.
What is Astigmatism: Causes of Astigmatism
To understand ‘what is Astigmatism’, we must understand its causes. Though the causes of this disorder are unknown, these two factors are considered as a big reason.
- Genetics: Usually, it is hereditary, passed down to a child during birth, and may develop in later stages.
- Surgery: If a person has gone through eye surgery, then there are chances for him to develop Astigmatism.
Astigmatism can be provoked by keratoconus. This eye disorder affects the cornea and causes the cornea’s clear tissue to bulge. It increases blurry vision and sensitivity towards bright light. You should avoid sitting in dim lights when you read. It is not a cause of Astigmatism, but it may increase the blurriness in your eyes.
What is Astigmatism: Symptoms, Types & Cure
Now that we have understood ‘what is Astigmatism’, let us understand its symptoms & cure.
Symptoms
Here are some common symptoms of Astigmatism:
- Blurry or fuzzy vision at all distances (up close or far away)
- You might have difficulty seeing at night.
- Eyestrains, headaches, squinting, and higher migraines can be caused.
- Visual Fatigue & sensitivity towards light.
- Distorted or tilted vision.
- Difficulty in judging distances.
These symptoms are for people who are suffering from mild and severe Astigmatism. The pain may differ depending on the severity of your condition. In the case of children, they may not complain about blurred or fuzzy vision, which can later affect the child’s performance in school. Regular eye check-ups are suggested for children to avoid.
What is Astigmatism: Types
Here are the three primary types of Astigmatism.
1. Myopic Astigmatism:
Myopia is nearsightedness when a person can’t see far-away objects. Technically, it is a condition in which an image of a distant object becomes focused in front of the retina, either because the eyeball axis is too long or because the refractive power of the object is too strong. It is a refractive error that is most commonly seen in children.
2. Hyperopic Astigmatism:
Hyperopic is farsightedness when a person can see distant objects clearly but has blurry vision for nearby objects. In technical terms, it is a condition in which visual images come to a focus behind the retina of the eye. It is seen in children and adults.
3. Mixed Astigmatism:
This type of Astigmatism is the rarest light hits both in front and behind the retina. Here eyes being both nearsighted and farsighted cause blurry vision for the individual.
Cure for Astigmatism
After identifying ‘what is Astigmatism’, types and symptoms. Let us understand how it can be treated.
Unfortunately, this eye disorder cannot be prevented as people inherit it through genes. If you are suffering from Astigmatism, it can be treated with the help of corrective lenses.
Here is a list of treatments that can reduce Astigmatism and help you give clearer vision.
Regular Eye-checkups
- Children: At least once in a year
- Adults younger than 40: Once every five or ten years.
- Adults between 40 and 54: Once every two to four years.
- Adults older than 55: At least once in a year.
For people suffering from diabetes or if you are having lenses, it’s advisable to visit the doctor at least once a week.
Eye Exercises to Treat Astigmatism
1. Eye Massage: Gently rub your palms and keep them on your eyes. It will help you to relax your eyes.
2. Reading: If you are having strain in your eyes, grab a book, start reading it, and focus on the side object. Do this until your eyes get tired.
3. Yoga: By closing your eyes, keeping your posture straight, and concentrating on your breath. This activity gives a lot of benefits, like strengthening your eye muscles and relaxing your eyes.
4. Blink your eyes: Blink your eyes continuously for 10 to 20 minutes. It refreshes your eyes and keeps your eyes moist.
5. Roll your eyes: Close your eyes and roll them. This exercise will reduce the strain on your eyes.
These eye exercises can work as a catalyst for improving your vision if it is done daily.
Essential Nutrients to be taken to avoid Astigmatism
Having a meal with the right nutrients will keep your eyesight and overall functioning of your body healthy.
1. Vitamins
i. Vitamin A: It is present in carrots, sweet potato, spinach, kale, cabbage and tomatoes. It keeps your eyes healthy and gives you an overall good vision. You can include them in your diet by making healthy soups or smoothies!
ii. Vitamin B: Eggs, all dairy products, beef, meat, and fish will give you a rich source of protein and maintain your eyes.
iii. Vitamin C: Oranges, lemons, berries, and strawberries protect your eyes from stress, and blood vessels of your eyes and improve blurred vision.
iv. Vitamin E: It is present in nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils. It acts like an antioxidant for your eyes and protects from free radicals.
2. Herbal Remedies
Scientific research and studies have shown that herbal remedies take time to improve eye health. Herbal remedies should not be replaced with medical treatments. According to some Ayurveda doctors, herbs such as turmeric, fennel, ginkgo biloba, and turmeric help to improve the blood vessels of the eyes, reduce eye strain and inflammation, and improve eyesight by reducing astigmatism.
3. Keep Yourself Hydrated
One should always change their lifestyle for better health. Drinking water keeps your eyes moist, reduces dryness in your eyes, and helps lower the risk of suffering from Astigmatism. It helps to maintain the proper functioning of the eye tissues and cells.
4. Omega-3 Fatty Acids & Zinc
i. Omega-3 Fatty Acids: They are present in foods such as fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines). They are also present in seeds like flax seeds, chia seeds, and walnuts. It helps to reduce inflammation and supports the retina by keeping it healthy.
ii. Zinc: It is present in nuts, meat, and dairy products, they also are useful in supporting the retina and keeping it healthy.
[Source-medicalnewstoday.com]
By including these nutrients in your diet daily, you can improve your vision. There is a saying that, ‘Feed your eyes as you feed your body, and they will see the world more clearly’.
Facts on Astigmatism
- According to sources, Astigmatism resolves in children by the age of 5.
- Astigmatism is likely to be caused in patients who have gone through cataract surgery.
- The rate of Astigmatism significantly increases from 14.3% in the under 15-year-old age group to 67.2% in the age group of over 65 years old.
- Mild to moderate cases of Astigmatism are corrected with toric contact lenses, and low levels of Astigmatism are corrected using spherical contact lenses.
- Every one out of three people suffers from this eye disorder. It is present in 70% of school students.
- The journal Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science has found out that this disorder is more common in Asian and Hispanic populations.
- People wearing glasses are more likely to have Astigmatism, so take a check-up with the doctor if you are the one, and start taking the cure for it as mentioned above in the blog.
- China is the highest-rated country that is affected by Astigmatism.
Final Thoughts
Astigmatism is increasing a lot in children these days due to increased screen time on mobile phones. Nowadays, even educational institutes are using it massively. Even if you are or you are not suffering from it, you do not need to stress. The advancements in biomedical technology help to treat this disorder, but after treating it, it’s your responsibility to maintain your eyes. You should take regular eye checkups, eat healthy food, and practice eye exercises daily to ensure the proper functioning of your eyes.
We hope this blog has given you enough information about ‘what is Astigmatism’, its symptoms, causes, and its cure.
