Generally the patient with astigmatism has a feeling of having blurred vision, especially, seeing images with a rim (like smeared ink), it can be in the horizontal, vertical or oblique plane. There are usually signs of eye fatigue and/or headache.
In any case, the only way to know for certain whether or not one has astigmatism is through an ophthalmologic examination.
What diseases can cause astigmatism?
Astigmatism is usually hereditary and is due to a defect in the shape, normally, of the external lens of the eye (the cornea). This alteration in shape has an important familial component and, in addition, there are other diseases that can cause astigmatism to be progressive, such as keratoconus, frequent in patients who rub their eyes, such as patients with allergies, collagen diseases such as Marfan and Ehler-Danlos syndrome and also occurs in people with Down syndrome. Another disease that can cause progressive astigmatism is pellucid marginal degeneration.
In corneal transplant patients we can also observe high astigmatism due to the suture.
How can it be corrected?
Astigmatism correction is usually optical in children and young adults, with glasses or contact lenses (more difficult to adapt than in patients with only myopia or hyperopia).
If astigmatism is regular, excimer laser surgery can be considered from the age of 21. If the patient has a thin cornea or a very dry eye, intraocular lenses have been available for some years. Both techniques have excellent results.
What happens if it is not treated?
Astigmatism is an anatomical defect of the eye that rarely corrects itself. Therefore, if it is not corrected, it usually causes signs of eyestrain and headaches.
In fact, due to its frequency, the neurologist always refers migraine patients to the ophthalmologist to rule out this condition.