Astigmatism

The most common eye conditions that people are familiar with are nearsightedness (myopia) and farsightedness (hyperopia). However, there is another very common condition that can affect eyesight, known as astigmatism. If you have this condition, the curvature of your eye lenses or corneas is improperly shaped. Instead of being curved all around, your lens is more elongated. If this curvature has its steep curve running vertically, it is called “with-the-rule,” and if the steep curve runs horizontally, it is “against-the-rule.” No matter your specific type, we can help.

Could I Have Astigmatism?

Symptoms of this issue occur as a result of light rays not being refracted properly through the eye due to the cornea or lens not having the right curvature. If objects both far and near appear out of focus or distorted, you likely have corneal or lenticular astigmatism. People can have this condition alone, or they can have astigmatism along with myopia or hyperopia. If you have this condition, you may also experience:

  • Headaches
  • Eyestrain
  • General eye discomfort

How Does This Issue Occur?

Lens and cornea shape can differ from person to person, and astigmatism often has a genetic component. While eye disease, injury, or surgery can result in this condition, more often than not this issue is present at birth.

Children may not realize or report astigmatism, as they may be unaware that their vision is compromised, which is why it is very important to bring your children in for regular eye exams, as poor vision may lead to poor school performance and other difficulties.

How Do We Treat Astigmatism?

We can test for this issue during your regular eye exam at Katonah Eye Care + Aesthetics. When you come in, we will have you read an eye chart at different distances to assess your visual acuity. Through the use of a phoropter and autorefractor, we can determine whether you need corrective lenses such as eyeglasses or contact lenses and what the proper prescription will be to correct your vision.

Man wearing a beanie and glasses using a laptop at a cafe

Astigmatism can almost always be completely or nearly completely corrected with corrective lenses. No surgery is necessary. However, some people do opt for LASIK to resolve this problem. After your exam, Dr. Gordon can discuss whether LASIK could be the right option for you if you wish.

In the past, contact lenses were not always seen as a desirable option for those with this condition because hard or gas permeable lenses were often used and caused a lot of discomfort to the wearer. However, today, astigmatism can be corrected with toric lenses, which most people find to be as comfortable as standard soft lenses.

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Why Choose Katonah Eye Care + Aesthetics?

Dr. Steven Gordon is an experienced, licensed optometrist who can diagnose any eye condition or vision problem you may have. When it comes to eye concerns, early detection is critical at all ages, so if you haven’t had an eye exam recently, even if you are not having any vision problems, it is very important that you schedule an appointment. If you need corrective lenses for your astigmatism, Katonah Eye Care + Aesthetics is perfect for you, as Dr. Gordon is trained as an optician as well being an optometrist, and can help you find beautiful frames and make them right on the premises, with no need to wait weeks for an order to come in.

Contact Katonah Eye Care + Aesthetics for Astigmatism Treatment in Katonah, NY

At Katonah Eye Care + Aesthetics, we offer comprehensive treatment and provide quality corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses for patients throughout the Katonah, NY area. To schedule your exam, contact us at (914) 232-5770 or fill out and submit the form below today.