Astigmatism
If you find yourself squinting to read a street sign, struggling with blurry vision at the end of a long workday, or waking up each morning reaching for your glasses before you can fully see the world around you, astigmatism may be the cause. It is one of the most common vision conditions we treat at Ginsberg Eye, and the good news is that it is also one of the most correctable. Dr. Ginsberg has helped thousands of patients see clearly and comfortably without depending on glasses or contact lenses, using procedures like LASIK, PRK, Refractive Lens Exchange, and toric lens implants during cataract surgery.
Whatever your age, prescription, or lifestyle, we are committed to finding the right solution for your eye health.
Understanding Astigmatism
A healthy eye has a cornea that is uniformly rounded, similar in shape to a basketball. In an eye with astigmatism, the cornea or the lens inside the eye is shaped more like a football, with one portion steeper or flatter than the other. Because of this uneven curvature, incoming light refracts at multiple angles, causing images to appear stretched, doubled, or out of focus.
There are two primary types of astigmatism:
- Corneal astigmatism: The cornea itself has an irregular shape. This is the most frequently encountered form.
- Lenticular astigmatism: The natural lens of the eye has an uneven curvature rather than the cornea, though both structures may be involved simultaneously.
Common symptoms of astigmatism include:
- Blurry or distorted vision at all distances
- Eyestrain or discomfort, especially after prolonged reading or screen use
- Squinting to see more clearly
- Headaches, particularly in the forehead or temples
- Difficulty with nighttime driving due to halos or glare around lights
- Fatigue after tasks requiring sustained visual focus
These symptoms often overlap with those of other refractive errors, such as nearsightedness or farsightedness, which is why a comprehensive dilated eye exam performed by Ginsberg Eye is the only reliable way to diagnose astigmatism and determine its degree.
Who Does Astigmatism Affect?
Astigmatism is one of the most prevalent refractive conditions in the world, affecting people of all ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds. Research consistently shows that a significant portion of the population has at least a small degree of astigmatism, and many are unaware of it because mild cases may not produce noticeable symptoms.
Children can be born with astigmatism or develop it in the early years of life. When left undetected and uncorrected, astigmatism in children can contribute to amblyopia (lazy eye) and may interfere with learning, reading, and normal visual development. Early childhood vision screenings and pediatric eye exams are important for identifying this condition before it affects academic performance or quality of life.
In adults, astigmatism may remain relatively stable for years, or it may change over time alongside other age-related changes in vision. Certain factors can increase a person’s likelihood of having or developing astigmatism:
- Family history: Astigmatism tends to run in families, suggesting a genetic component to corneal shape.
- High degrees of nearsightedness or farsightedness: These refractive errors frequently co-occur with astigmatism.
- Eye injuries or surgeries: Trauma to the eye or certain surgical procedures can alter the shape of the cornea.
- Keratoconus: This progressive corneal disease causes the cornea to thin and bulge into a cone shape, resulting in significant irregular astigmatism.
- Cataracts: Changes to the crystalline lens from cataracts can introduce or worsen astigmatism.
Astigmatism Treatments at Ginsberg Eye
While glasses and contact lenses can optically compensate for astigmatism, many patients prefer a long-term solution that reduces or eliminates their dependence on corrective eyewear. Ginsberg Eye offers several surgical options that directly address the underlying cause of astigmatism:
Cataract Surgery
Cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed procedures in the United States, and modern techniques have made it an exceptional opportunity to correct astigmatism at the same time. When the clouded natural lens is removed, an intraocular lens (IOL) is implanted in its place. For patients with astigmatism, Dr. Ginsberg can implant a toric IOL, which is engineered with different refracting powers across its meridians to counteract corneal astigmatism.
Patients who choose a premium toric IOL often find that they can reduce or eliminate their reliance on glasses following surgery, representing a significant improvement in everyday convenience and quality of life.
Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE)
Refractive Lens Exchange (or RLE) is a vision correction procedure that uses the same surgical technique as cataract surgery but is performed on patients who do not yet have a cataract. By replacing the eye’s natural clear lens with an advanced IOL, RLE addresses refractive errors, including astigmatism, while simultaneously eliminating the possibility of ever developing a cataract in the future.
RLE is particularly well-suited for adults over 45 who are experiencing presbyopia in addition to astigmatism, or for patients with higher degrees of refractive error who are not ideal candidates for laser vision correction. Premium multifocal toric IOLs used in RLE can simultaneously correct astigmatism, distance vision, and near vision, offering a comprehensive visual solution in a single procedure.
LASIK and PRK
Laser vision correction with LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) or PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) is a highly effective approach for correcting astigmatism in appropriate candidates. Both procedures use an excimer laser to precisely reshape the corneal surface, eliminating or significantly reducing the irregularities that cause astigmatism.
LASIK involves creating a thin corneal flap using either a blade or a femtosecond laser. The flap is gently lifted, and the underlying corneal tissue is reshaped with the excimer laser before the flap is repositioned. Most LASIK patients notice dramatically improved vision within 24 hours and experience very little discomfort during recovery.
PRK does not involve creating a flap. Instead, the thin outer layer of the cornea is gently removed, and the excimer laser is applied directly to the corneal surface. It is an excellent option for patients who have thinner corneas, certain corneal irregularities, or active lifestyles with a higher risk of eye trauma, which makes flap creation inadvisable.
Dr. Ginsberg will carefully evaluate your corneal thickness, prescription stability, and overall ocular health to determine whether LASIK, PRK, or another option is the right fit for you.
Schedule a Consultation
Living with uncorrected astigmatism can affect your comfort, productivity, and enjoyment of everyday activities. The good news is that today’s surgical options make it possible for most patients to achieve clear, stable vision with lasting results. At Ginsberg Eye, Dr. Ginsberg is committed to helping every patient find the solution that best fits their vision goals and lifestyle. If you are ready to explore your options for astigmatism correction, simply schedule a consultation today. Call our office or message us via our online contact form.
