If your vision is blurry or distorted, or you see lines or stars radiating from streetlights at night, you may have a common condition called astigmatism. Luckily, most astigmatisms are easy to correct with a good pair of prescription glasses and a quick trip to the optometrist.
In this guide, we explore why glasses for astigmatism are your number-one solution, how they accurately bring things into focus and which type of lens will work best for your unique lifestyle and eye care needs.
What Is Astigmatism?
Astigmatism occurs when the dome-shaped, clear tissue in front of your iris — the cornea — is slightly warped. The cornea focuses or “refracts” light onto the retina, the part of your eye that decodes visual information and sends it to your brain via the optic nerve to form images.
If the cornea is misshapen, light that passes through it misses the retina, sending inaccurate information to the brain and causing blurry or distorted vision. This misaligned focus of light is called a refractive error.
Less commonly, astigmatism happens because the tiny crystalline lens behind your iris has an irregular curve. The lens can stretch and contract, bringing far-away and close-up images into focus as needed. The lens usually has a symmetrical oblong shape, like a deflating beach ball. With lenticular astigmatism, that shape skews to one side, focusing light away from the retina and impacting how well you see.
What Causes Astigmatism?
Studies suggest that most people with astigmatism inherit the eye condition from their parents. People can also get astigmatism for reasons other than genetics, including:
- Being over 40 years old.
- Trauma to the eye.
- Laser eye surgery.
- Pressure from eyelid ptosis or drooping.
- Eye diseases like keratoconus.
How Do You Know if You Have Astigmatism?
If your cornea or lens curve is skewed in one or both eyes, you'll likely experience some or all of the following symptoms:
- Blurred or double vision: Light misses the retina or hits the back of the eye at two points instead of one, making things look warped, fuzzy or duplicated.
- Tired, strained eyes: Eyestrain, also known as asthenopia, happens because muscles inside and around the eye work overtime to focus on blurry objects.
- Headaches: Tension-type headaches are more common in people with astigmatism, likely because of how much the eye muscles contract.
- Difficulty seeing at night: In low light, your pupils dilate, letting more light through your irregularly shaped cornea and exacerbating visual distortions like starbursts and halos.
How Optometrists Diagnose Astigmatism
To diagnose astigmatism, optometrists will first measure your visual acuity to determine how well you can see. Then, if your visual acuity is abnormal, they'll use either a keratometer or topography to assess your cornea's curvature. If the curvature is warped, they'll use a phoropter to assess exactly how your eyes focus light and determine the perfect lenses to correct your vision.
Do You Need Glasses for Astigmatism?
If your astigmatism makes it harder to drive, work or enjoy life, you should see an optometrist about getting glasses. You may not even realize how distorted your vision is since you've lived this way your whole life!
An eye test will reveal your vision needs. Your optometrist will design a set of lenses that perfectly counterbalance how light hits the back of your eye, angling it toward the retina for crisp, clear vision.
What Level of Astigmatism Requires Glasses?
Optometrists measure corneal warping in diopters. The higher your diopter measurement, the more refractive errors will impact your vision. If your astigmatism is over 0.5 diopter, you likely need glasses, depending on how much you struggle with your vision and whether your eyes feel tired.
Why You Should Get Night Glasses for Astigmatism
Driving can be a major challenge for people with astigmatism, particularly at night or in tunnels. Even if your diopter is as low as 0.5, you may still experience starbursts or halos around streetlights, traffic lights and headlights. These distortions can be distracting and obscure your vision. Getting driving glasses for astigmatism in low-light areas is crucial for your and other road users' safety.
Should You Choose Glasses or Surgery to Correct Astigmatism?
Glasses are the safest, easiest and most cost-effective way to correct astigmatism. They are also highly customizable and conveniently reversible — if your prescription changes, you can always get another pair.
With invasive options like laser surgery, it's not that simple. Glasses don't make direct contact with the highly sensitive eye tissue, protecting it from complications associated with surgical procedures.
What Are the Types of Corrective Lenses for Astigmatism?
Your optometrist will factor your astigmatism in with any other vision problems you have, like nearsightedness or farsightedness, and prescribe a pair of eyeglasses designed specifically for your eyes. You'll also work with your optometrist to choose between different types of lenses to suit your lifestyle and preferences. Lens options include:
1. Single-Vision Lenses
Single-vision lenses correct vision in one focal range, providing the same effect no matter where you look. These glasses are perfect for people with visual distortions at a specific distance, either close up — like reading glasses for astigmatism — or far away, like glasses for driving.
2. Bifocal and Trifocal Lenses
Bifocal and trifocal lenses are split into two or three sections with different focal ranges. The upper half helps with long-distance vision, and the lower half helps see things up close. Trifocal lenses have an intermediate section between them for mid-distance vision. These glasses work well for people with astigmatism and presbyopia — the gradual loss of close-range vision due to age.
3. Multifocal or No-Line Progressive Lenses
Multifocal or no-line progressive lenses are created using digital surfacing technology. They have various focal ranges, including near, far and intermediate, with smooth transitions between them. They are highly customizable and give the wearer a more balanced visual experience than bifocal or trifocal lenses.
Which Glasses Work Best for Astigmatism?
Lenses, frames and coatings work together to improve your vision. If you're getting glasses for astigmatism correction, consider these guidelines:
- Pick flatter frames: Flatter frames mean flatter lenses and less warping in your peripheral vision.
- Ensure a snug fit: Your glasses should fit securely and comfortably on your face and nose bridge to stay in place as you move.
- Choose glare protection: Select an anti-reflective lens coating to improve vision while driving at night or using screens.
- Broaden your peripheral vision: Pick frames with a larger rim so your lenses cover more of your field of view.
- Invest in quality: Choose strong, well-made, beautiful frames that secure your lenses and fit your aesthetic.
Are Contacts or Glasses Better for Astigmatism Correction?
Eyeglasses for astigmatism outperform contact lenses in several ways. They are more cost-effective, easier to use and more stable on the face. Stable lenses are crucial for correcting astigmatism because their orientation matters.
When you wear contacts and blink, your eyelids rotate the contact lenses, skewing them out of alignment. Contact lenses can still be useful during sports and dynamic recreation activities.
How Do I Adjust to My New Glasses?
Getting used to your new glasses takes a little time and a good frame choice. Consider your nose — if you focus on it, you can actually see it. However, your brain has gotten used to it over time and no longer registers that it's in your field of vision.
If you select flatter frames with broader rims, the same “fading” phenomenon will happen with your glasses, and you'll only know you're wearing them because you can actually see properly!
Why Get Your Glasses for Astigmatism From Eyemart Express?
At Eyemart Express, you get speedy service, expert advice and outstanding quality, all rolled into one streamlined online experience. Choose from our wide range of frames, lenses, and coatings and have them delivered in record time with the click of a button.
Simply select your perfect pair today, or visit one of our stores and partnered optometrists nationwide.
