Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Astigmatism
Your eyesight is precious! Blurry, hazy, or distorted vision due to astigmatism can be the cause of serious concern. The truth is, most people experience some degree of astigmatism, though more often than not the symptoms are mild enough to not require any treatment. If you’ve been diagnosed with astigmatism and wish to know a bit more about what this means, we’ve answered a few of the most frequently asked questions below. If you would like to learn more about astigmatism and the available treatment options, or if you would like to schedule a consultation with our experienced eye surgeon, Dr. Helga Pizio, please contact us today.
Q. Does astigmatism make an image uniformly blurry?
Astigmatism occurs is due to the cornea ofthe eye having a more ovall than round shape, which reflects light unevenly. As a result, objects appear blurry whether they are located far away or close up, unlike with nearsightedness, which shows distant objects as blurry, or farsightedness, which shows close-up objects as blurry. The greater the degree of astigmatism, the blurrier images will appear.
Q. What part of the eye affects astigmatism?
The cornea is the most important part of the eye that will be affected by astigmatism, as this is the “window” of the eye, located on the surface. Having said that, other parts can also be affected, including the lens. During cataract surgery the natural lens typically will be replaced which can help to reduce astigmatism symptoms especially if an oval-shaped toric lens is implanted.
Q. What are the differences between manual and laser Limbal Relaxing Incisions?
Limbal Relaxing Incisions (LRI) have been utilized in refractive surgery for many years to treat astigmatism. However, traditional techniques required surgeons to create these incisions by hand with diamond blades. Advancements in laser vision correction have improved this technique significantly by enhancing the precision and accuracy of the incisions, typically resulting in superior correction and a more customized patient experience. At New Eyes we utilize the LenSx femtosecond laser to precisely and accurately correct astigmatism at the time of cataract surgery for best vision correction.
Our video blog series by Dr. Pizio offers additional information about astigmatism, cataract surgery, and more. Check them out today!