In most people, astigmatism stops progressing at age 25, but there are issues that can cause astigmatism to worsen over time, such as chronic infections, corneal trauma, and keratoconus.
Astigmatism is often present at birth but it can also develop over time, and most often occurs with myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness). 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.
Age-Related Eye Changes at 20–30
As you age, your eyes can change. If you need corrective lens for astigmatism (irregularly shaped corneas), hyperopia (farsightedness), or myopia (nearsightedness), your prescription can change, and you may need a stronger lens to clear your vision.
According to a study by researchers from the American Academy of Ophthalmology, around 23% of children aged 6 months to 1 year have it. Fortunately, most of them outgrow it, which is why the percentage of children aged 5 to 6 years old with astigmatism drops down to only 9%.
Corneal astigmatism is stable until the age of 50 years; thereafter both keratometric and total corneal astigmatism show a 0.25 D ATR change per 10 years.
Prescription eyeglasses for astigmatism are generally considered optional if your uncorrected vision (meaning your vision without corrective lenses) is 20/40 or better. However, even if your vision is 20/40 or better, you might still end up with eye strain or headaches if you don't wear glasses.
Myth 2: Astigmatism worsens with screen time
While it is not recommended to watch any size of a screen for long periods of time without eye rest, this particular activity won't affect astigmatism as such.
Astigmatism frequently worsens with age. Your cornea can become more irregular due to pressure from your eyelids as they lose muscle tone. Astigmatism generally stays stable until your turn 50. After then, your lens curvature progressively worsens each decade.
Astigmatism is linked to genetics
Mom and Dad can be to blame for your football-shaped corneas.
What they didn't tell you was that there are natural ways you can treat your astigmatism that won't cost a penny. Eye exercises and taking vision-boosting vitamins can improve your vision.
Wearing corrective lenses treats astigmatism by counteracting uneven curvatures of your cornea or lens. Types of corrective lenses include: Eyeglasses. Eyeglasses are made with lenses that help compensate for the uneven shape of the eye.
Probably the most important thing to note about astigmatism is that it can worsen due to eye rubbing.
Astigmatism is common in infants and often clears up on its own by the time a child is one year old. Children with myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness) are more likely to have astigmatism. Astigmatism affects Hispanic children at higher rates than other children.
Astigmatism is a lifelong condition but is easily treatable with contact lenses or eyeglasses. Astigmatism can fluctuate. It can also worsen slowly over time, but more typically it remains stable throughout the person's life.
The result is blurry vision. People with astigmatism may experience mild to severe distorted vision, depending on the degree of astigmatism. While myopia (nearsightedness) makes far-away objects blurry and hyperopia (farsightedness) makes close-up objects blurry, astigmatism makes things blurry at every distance.
Blurred vision is the most common sign your astigmatism is getting worse. You know this eye condition is progressing if you experience headaches, eye strain and fatigue. Some people notice they have poor vision at certain times of the day or when tired. Other patients find it difficult to see at night.
If the astigmatism is very mild (and doesn't affect your vision), you might not need glasses or contacts. Your eye care specialist will measure any changes in your eye during future eye exams. Astigmatism can change over time and get worse, so you might need glasses or contacts eventually, even if you don't at first.
When you get your eyes tested for glasses, you are able to detect 1/4 (0.25) Diopter of astigmatism. Some people can detect even less. Small amounts of astigmatism, up to 0.50 Diopter, probably will not bother you during your normal activities. Vision becomes noticeably blurry with 1.00 Diopter of astigmatism or more.
Astigmatism is thought to be hereditary, so if you have astigmatism, chances are good your children will have it also. The condition often occurs with other vision conditions such as nearsightedness (myopia). Many people confuse astigmatism with "lazy eye" (amblyopia).
Mild Astigmatism <1.00 diopters. Moderate Astigmatism 1.00 to 2.00 diopters. High Astigmatism 2.00 to 4.00 diopters.
An astigmatism measurement of 1.0 is considered mild. It may not cause symptoms, or it may only cause mild vision problems. However, not all astigmatism is the same. Astigmatism can vary in severity.
Don't rub your eyes
Your eyes might be feeling itchy, and you probably think a slight rubbing won't hurt. However, considering that astigmatism affects the cornea by making it abnormal, excessively rubbing your eyes might injure your cornea further. Avoid rubbing your eyes. If the itchiness persists, see a doctor.
Circulatory issues caused by stress and tension are as well as causes of astigmatism. In this case, an accumulation of stress and tension in the neck muscles can lead to a restriction of blood flow to the head and eyes.
You can have 20/20 vision and still have astigmatism. Unlike presbyopia that makes focusing on close objects difficult or impossible or myopia that makes focusing on distant objects difficult or impossible, astigmatism gives you sometimes clear vision and sometimes blurry vision at all distances.