Astigmatism is a common refractive error. It causes blurry and distorted vision at various distances, which makes everyday activities much more difficult. But is astigmatism a lifelong condition, or does it go away on its own?
Astigmatism typically doesn’t go away on its own. However, it can be effectively managed with the right approach and care. If you have astigmatism and notice any serious changes in your vision, visit your optometrist as soon as you can. This is often a sign of an underlying condition affecting your cornea.
What Is Astigmatism?
Clear vision relies on how light focuses on your retina. The cornea and natural lens play key roles in this process. They bend and direct light to help the eye produce sharp images.
However, this process relies heavily on their shape. When these structures are smooth and evenly curved, light focuses properly onto the retina. When they’re distorted, light angles oddly inside the eye.
This is astigmatism—a condition that changes how the cornea is curved. Instead of being perfectly round, it curves incorrectly. This uneven shape makes it harder for light to reach the retina in the right way and creates distorted, blurry, and warped images.
The Types of Astigmatism
There are several types of astigmatism, depending on which part of the eye it affects. You can break astigmatism into 2 main categories:
- Lenticular astigmatism, which affects and distorts the lens behind the cornea.
- Corneal astigmatism, which affects the cornea, the clear and dome-shaped tissue at the front of your eye.
Then, you can break astigmatism down into 2 further categories:
- Regular, where the eye is evenly distorted and misshaped. It maintains a steady curve, but the shape itself is incorrect.
- Irregular, where the eye is not uniformly round. There are one or more defects on either the cornea or lens, which distorts light unusually.
No matter the type, this eventually causes distortion when focusing at any distance.
The Symptoms Of Astigmatism
Typically, astigmatism causes blurry vision at every distance. This isn’t always severe—it could be a mild distortion or waviness. Other common symptoms of astigmatism include:
- Eye strain, especially after reading or focusing for long periods.
- Frequent headaches caused by eye issues.
- Difficulty seeing well in dim lighting, particularly at night.
- Glares or halos around bright light sources.
While many of these are noticeable, this isn’t always the case. Some people barely notice their distortions, while others require significant intervention to maintain clear vision. These symptoms tend to begin in early childhood and progress before stabilizing around the age of 20 or so.
Can Astigmatism Improve Over Time?
Astigmatism doesn’t usually improve by itself. It’s a lifelong condition—once the cornea stabilizes growth in early adulthood, it shouldn’t change significantly over the years.
However, while astigmatism doesn’t improve naturally, it can be affected by other eye conditions. Any condition that affects the cornea could accidentally improve your astigmatism. Some common culprits include:
- Keratoconus. This is a condition that causes the cornea to thin and bulge outwards, leading to severe distortions. It can also cause astigmatism by changing how the cornea refracts light.
- Eye injuries. These may change the shape of your eye, including the cornea, causing astigmatism and other vision problems.
- Age-related changes in the eye. As you grow older, your cornea may become less spherical, which could create astigmatism or alter its development.
Sometimes, these changes make the symptoms of astigmatism worse. Other times, they can improve your vision. Every eye is different, so watch for unusual symptoms. If you notice any pain, significant discomfort, or drastic vision changes, see an eye care professional.
How to Treat Astigmatism
You should always note any significant changes in your vision, even if you don’t have astigmatism. These are often a sign of something unusual occurring in the eye. If your vision changes at any point, visit your optometrist as soon as you can for a comprehensive eye exam.
Even though it doesn’t typically go away on its own, astigmatism is highly manageable. In most cases, it’s as easy as using corrective lenses. This counteracts the distortion caused by the irregular cornea.
However, some people experience significant distortion, and regular lenses can’t help. If this is the case, you might need specialty lenses for astigmatism.
Signs You Need To See An Optometrist
If left unchecked, astigmatism can sometimes lead to further complications. Conditions like keratoconus can worsen the situation by making the cornea even less stable. If you notice unusual changes, it’s important to seek professional help quickly.
Watch for these symptoms, as they may indicate a more serious issue:
- Sudden, rapid changes in vision.
- Persistent eye pain or discomfort that doesn’t go away.
- Difficulty focusing that progressively gets worse.
- Distorted or shadowed vision that appears out of nowhere.
These signs shouldn’t be ignored. The sooner you talk to an optometrist, the easier it is to intervene.
Do You Have Astigmatism?
Astigmatism is a common problem. But with the right treatment, you can minimize how much it affects your life. And our team at Stonebridge Eyecare is ready to help. Schedule an appointment with us today—together, we can make sure your vision is well taken care of.
