|
BY KHIRTINI K KUMARAN
ASTIGMATISM , a common yet often misunderstood eye condition , impacts a significant portion of the population . Astigmatism occurs when the cornea or lens of the eye has an irregular curvature , resembling the shape of an egg or an American football rather than a round baseball . Uma Mageswari Batumalai , Vision Care Malaysia Professional Education Specialist , Johnson & Johnson , explained : “ This irregular shape causes light entering the eye to bend unevenly , resulting in blurred vision at all distances .
“ When astigmatism goes untreated , it can significantly reduce a person ’ s quality of life by making everyday activities more difficult or less enjoyable . Tasks like driving , reading , using a computer , or even watching TV can become very frustrating .”
High degrees of astigmatism can affect depth perception , which is crucial for activities like driving , walking downstairs , and participating in sports . The condition also leads to physical discomfort .
“ When patients constantly put effort into focusing on blurry vision , it can eventually lead to eye strain , fatigue , and headaches ,” she noted .
SYMPTOMS AND PREVALENCE
Common symptoms of astigmatism include blurred or distorted vision , difficulty seeing at both near and far distances and straight lines appearing wavy . Uma highlighted that about one in three people experience astigmatism , with its prevalence increasing with age .
“ Astigmatism can present at birth , and the prevalence can increase with age .” Genetics play a role , but factors like trauma or surgery can also alter the eye ’ s shape , leading to astigmatism .
“ There is a hereditary component to it . If one parent has astigmatism , you ’ re more likely to develop it yourself .”
Correcting low astigmatism is crucial as even minor under-correction can lead to visual discomfort , she explained .
|
“ Not correcting one diopter of astigmatism can decrease vision quality at both distance and near , reduce reading speed , and affect depth perception , leading to eye fatigue , headaches , and reduced visual comfort when using digital devices ,” Uma emphasised .
She warned against masking low astigmatism with spherical lenses , which can result in poor vision and dissatisfaction among patients .
“ Masking low astigmatism by adding half of it into the spherical power and prescribing spherical contact lenses can actually cause poor vision outcomes and lead to dropouts due to low patient satisfaction .”
TREATMENT OPTIONS
Several treatment options are available for astigmatism . “ The most common and traditional way to correct astigmatism is with spectacles ,” said Uma .
“ Spectacles with toric lenses have a special curvature that corrects the refractive error , ensuring light focuses on the retina , providing a clear image .”
Contact lenses are another effective option . “ Soft toric contact lenses work similarly to toric glasses but rest directly on the cornea , providing a wider field of view .”
For those with higher levels of astigmatism , rigid gas-permeable lenses , which offer durability and sharper vision , may be prescribed .
|
Uma Mageswari Batumalai
Orthokeratology is a non-surgical treatment option that involves specially designed rigid lenses worn overnight to reshape the cornea and correct astigmatism temporarily .
“ It provides clear vision throughout the day after wearing the lenses overnight ,” she explained .
For those seeking a more permanent solution , refractive surgery or laser vision correction is available as an option .
“ Refractive surgery could be an option depending on patient ' s eye anatomy and physiology ,” Uma noted .
Both spectacles and contact lenses are highly effective in correcting astigmatism .
“ Spectacles are one option to correct astigmatism . Contact lenses ,
|
particularly toric soft contact lenses , conform directly to the cornea , providing a wider field of view and natural vision .
“ This can be very advantageous for activities that require good peripheral vision , such as sports .”
EARLY DETECTION IN CHILDREN
Early detection of astigmatism in children is critical .
“ During childhood , especially between four to eight years old , the visual system continues to mature .
“ Uncorrected astigmatism at a very young age can lead to meridional amblyopia or lazy eye , where the brain favours one eye over the other due to the difference in clarity ,” Uma explained .
She urges parents to schedule comprehensive eye exams for their children starting from infancy and to be vigilant for signs of vision problems such as squinting , sitting close to the TV , or frequent eye rubbing .
“ Parents should not ignore eye screening results from schools and should ensure any detected problems are promptly addressed ,” she emphasised .
Parents play a critical role in early diagnosis .
“ They should look out for signs that may indicate vision problems such as squinting their eyes , sitting very close to the TV , holding books very close to their face , frequent eye rubbing , and complaints of headaches or tiredness .
“ Teaching children about the importance of good eye health and encouraging them to speak up if they experience discomfort is also essential .”
Uma underscored the importance of early screening for astigmatism in children and the need for eye care professionals to avoid masking low astigmatism .
“ Every patient deserves clear vision , and proper correction of astigmatism is essential for enhancing quality of life ,” she concluded .– The HEALTH
MY PD390 2024PP1422
|