Although the prevalence of astigmatism is similar at ages 6 to 7 years and 15 to 16 years, during childhood individual children continue to develop astigmatism while other children become nonastigmatic.
Astigmatism is a very common childhood vision problem. Research supported by the National Institutes of Health indicates that about 23% of very young children (from 6 months to 1 year old) have it, but many children grow out of it. By the time they reach school age (5 or 6 years old), only about 9% have astigmatism.
With age, the prevalence of astigmatism increases, and the axis shifts from a predominance of with-the-rule astigmatism to a predominance of against-the-rule astigmatism. This age-related change is caused by alterations in corneal curvature.
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 very common. 1 in 3 people has astigmatism.
What causes astigmatism? Astigmatism happens when your cornea or lens has a different shape than normal. The shape makes light bend differently as it enters your eye, causing a refractive error. Doctors don't know what causes astigmatism, and there's no way to prevent it.
Astigmatism does not always require the use of glasses. A person can have slight astigmatism and still see clearly. Similar to the rest of the body, the eyes change over time, so regular eye checks with your local optometrist are of importance.
Astigmatism isn't caused or made worse by reading in poor light, sitting too close to the television or squinting.
No, not always. Some astigmatism is very mild, and sometimes astigmatism only occurs in one eye while the other eye has clear vision. Prescription eyeglasses for astigmatism are generally considered optional if your uncorrected vision (meaning your vision without corrective lenses) is 20/40 or better.
Several eye conditions are associated with astigmatism. The most common of these being a corneal thinning eye disease known as keratoconus. As the keratoconus progresses, it can cause astigmatism to get worse. Often inducing very high degrees.
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.
In an astigmatic eye, the cornea or lens of the eye is somewhat misshapen, causing light to focus unevenly on the retina. This results in blurred or distorted vision. Astigmatism has a genetic component, so if your mother has it, you may be at a higher risk for it.
Between . 75 and 2 diopters is considered mild astigmatism. Between 2 and 4 diopters is moderate astigmatism, and 4 or more diopters is considered significant or “bad” astigmatism. Generally, eyes with 1.5 diopters of astigmatism or more require correction.
Glasses or contacts can correct almost all cases of astigmatism. But if you have only a slight astigmatism and no other vision problems, you may not need them. If you have a common level of astigmatism, you'll probably have corrective lenses, like glasses or contacts, or surgery.
Sometimes children outgrow astigmatism as they get older. If young children have a lot of astigmatism in one or both eyes, though, it can lead to another condition called amblyopia. Amblyopia is when the brain does not learn to see clearly with one or both eyes. When it's caught early, the condition can be treated.
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).
Overuse of Electronic Devices: The excessive use of smartphones, tablets, computers, and other electronic devices could lead to astigmatism, as well as dry eye. Improper Light Levels: Watching TV or using electronic screens in the dark can cause eye strain and eye fatigue and possibly be a cause for astigmatism.
Blue light blocking lenses
In fact, excessive screen time can even cause digital eye strain, particularly for those with uncorrected astigmatism. Fortunately, blue light blocking lenses can alleviate this discomfort, and make working on your laptop or texting on your phone much more enjoyable.
Flatter frames are better for astigmatism. Wraparound or curved frames can bend the light in a way that distorts your vision. Also, be sure to choose a frame that sits securely on the bridge of your nose to keep your vision clear and in focus.
Non-glare lenses can help reduce the amount of light entering your eye, helping people with astigmatism see better at night.
If you are deficient in vitamins that can improve astigmatism, like vitamin A, you should eat some extra servings of the vegetables mentioned or consider taking a vitamin supplement. Supplements can be great options, so long as you make sure you are taking the correct serving.
Astigmatism prevalence in the general population varied from 8 to 62%, with higher rates in individuals 70 years or older. The prevalence of with-the-rule astigmatism was higher in individuals 40 years or younger, whereas rates of against-the-rule and oblique astigmatism increased with age.
One natural way to treat astigmatism is to be aware of your head tilting. If you're tilting to one side, try tilting your head in the opposite direction of what feels most comfortable. It will feel uncomfortable at first. Your muscles are used to doing the wrong thing and need retraining.