Astigmatism is a common refractive error resulting from an irregular shape in the cornea or lens, causing blurred or distorted vision. Unlike spherical corneas, those with astigmatism often have a more football-shaped cornea, leading to uneven light focus on the retina and distorted images. Corrective measures range from eyeglasses and contact lenses to surgical procedures like LASIK, aimed at reshaping the cornea for improved visual clarity.
Precision Vision, located in the heart of London, specialises in personalised eye treatments such as LASIK and LASEK. Led by renowned surgeon Dr. CT Pillai, our focus on quality over quantity ensures tailored care for optimal results. Our expertise in laser eye surgery provides individuals with the freedom from glasses, emphasising a personalised and expert approach to vision correction.
Laser Surgery Prices starting from just £66.67 per eye/month.
with a £250 deposit for 24 months
About Astigmatism
Signs and Symptoms of Astigmatism
Are you experiencing blurred vision, especially during both near and far tasks? Do you find yourself grappling with eyestrain and headaches, particularly after extended periods of focused visual activities like driving at night or prolonged computer use? These could be indicative of astigmatism, a common refractive error affecting the cornea or lens. Understanding the signs and symptoms is crucial for maintaining optimal eye health.
Astigmatism often presents itself as varying degrees of blurred vision, impacting both distance and near vision. If you’ve noticed a persistent blurriness that doesn’t seem to improve, it might be time to consider the possibility of astigmatism. Additionally, astigmatism can lead to eyestrain and headaches, especially during concentrated periods of visual tasks. For individuals who spend extensive hours in front of a computer screen, these symptoms may manifest as asthenopia, or eyestrain, rather than clear visual difficulty. This makes regular eye check-ups essential, especially if you engage in prolonged computer work, as undiagnosed astigmatism could contribute to overall discomfort.
The importance of recognising astigmatism symptoms becomes even more evident when considering the impact on daily activities. Tasks such as driving at night or working on a computer for extended periods can become challenging and uncomfortable without proper vision correction. Addressing these symptoms promptly is crucial not only for visual clarity but also for overall eye health and comfort.
At our state-of-the-art facility, Precision Vision in the heart of London, we specialise in identifying and treating astigmatism. Led by the esteemed surgeon Dr. CT Pillai, our focus on personalised care ensures that you receive the attention and expertise needed to alleviate the effects of astigmatism. Regular eye check-ups and early detection are key elements of our approach, emphasising proactive measures to enhance your eye health. Don’t let astigmatism compromise your visual comfort – consult with us to experience precision in eye care tailored to your needs.
Understanding Causes and Solutions
Astigmatism, a common refractive error affecting approximately 9 out of 10 individuals, it arises from the misshapen cornea, resembling the curvature of a rugby ball rather than a spherical shape. Unlike an evenly rounded cornea, the distorted curvature leads to incorrect bending of light, resulting in a blurred image and a phenomenon known as ‘ghosting.’
This distortion becomes particularly noticeable when viewing letters on a screen, where the patient perceives a ghost image alongside the original writing. For instance, when reading subtitles on the TV or glancing at digital train timetables/signs at the airport, the effects of astigmatism become apparent.
It is crucial to clarify that astigmatism is not classified as an eye disease but rather a refractive error, akin to short-sightedness and long-sightedness, all of which involve focusing issues. The key culprit in astigmatism is the irregular shape of the cornea, disrupting the proper bending of light and causing visual distortions. The most common symptom is blurred vision, and ‘ghosting’ further adds to the challenge, making tasks like reading or viewing digital displays more cumbersome.
Despite its prevalence, astigmatism often goes unnoticed, especially in mild amounts. Many individuals may not realise they have astigmatism until they encounter difficulties with tasks requiring clear vision. This highlights the importance of regular eye check-ups, as early detection allows for timely intervention and personalised treatment options.
At Precision Vision in the heart of London, our dedicated team, led by renowned surgeon Dr. CT Pillai, specialises in identifying and addressing the root causes of astigmatism. Our approach goes beyond symptom management, focusing on personalised care to correct the misshapen cornea and restore clear vision.
Through cutting-edge treatments and a commitment to patient well-being, we strive to provide solutions that not only alleviate the effects of astigmatism but also enhance overall eye health. Don’t let the subtle nuances of astigmatism compromise your visual clarity – consult with us to experience precision in eye care tailored to your unique needs.
Astigmatism: Understanding Potential Complications
While astigmatism itself poses minimal complications, its impact on eye health, especially in children, is worth noting. Astigmatism can differ significantly between the two eyes, potentially leading to amblyopia, commonly known as a lazy eye. In children, the condition may prompt the brain to prioritise the dominant eye for focus and visual function, inadvertently causing the weaker eye to become lazy.
Early detection through routine eye tests with an optometrist is crucial to identify and address this potential complication.
Though complications are relatively rare, the risk of amblyopia underscores the importance of proactive eye care. Regular eye examinations, particularly in childhood, serve as a preventive measure to detect and manage astigmatism-related issues promptly.
At Precision Vision in the heart of London, our expert team, led by Dr. CT Pillai, emphasises the significance of early intervention. Through comprehensive eye tests and personalised care, we aim to mitigate potential complications, ensuring optimal eye health for all ages.
Trust us to navigate the nuances of astigmatism and safeguard your vision with precision and expertise.
Refractive Solutions
The most prevalent and cost-effective method for correcting long-sightedness is through the use of glasses, which effectively redirect light onto the retina. Depending on the extent of your astigmatism, you may find it necessary to wear glasses consistently or only for specific visual activities like night driving, watching TV, or using a computer.
While contact lenses can be an alternative, their application is somewhat limited, particularly with higher levels of astigmatism. The potential rotation of the contact lens in the eye during blinking can result in suboptimal correction, dissatisfying many users.
This limitation becomes particularly apparent when engaging in visual tasks that demand precise distance correction, such as activities like shooting, golf, or archery. For these reasons, glasses remain a preferred and more reliable option for correcting long-sightedness associated with astigmatism.
Refractive surgery becomes a viable option once the prescription stabilises, typically around the early 20s. Laser procedures such as LASIK and LASEK are the most common types, both involving the reshaping of the cornea to enhance light focus on the retina.
Another surgical alternative is Implantable Contact Lenses (EVO Visian ICLs), also known as phakic IOLs. This option is suitable for individuals with prescriptions too high for laser surgery or those with thin corneas. EVO Visian ICLs are surgically placed behind the iris to aid in focusing light onto the retina, and they carry no risk of rejection by the body.
For individuals experiencing presbyopia (the need for reading glasses, typically after the age of 45), Clear Lens Replacement presents a refractive surgery option. In this procedure, the crystalline lens of the eye is replaced with an artificial (intraocular) lens, refocusing light to enable clear vision at both distance and near. Trifocal lenses are commonly implanted, offering a comprehensive solution for age-related vision changes.
Our approach revolves around prioritising your optimal well-being.
Prior to your consultation
Your first point of contact will be with Precision Vision’s highly trained and knowledgeable patient coordinators.
Treatment
On the day of your treatment, our clinical team will guide you through the process and address any concerns or questions you may have.
Consultation
At Precision Vision, we believe that it is essential to be selective to ensure that every patient has the best treatment to suit their visual and lifestyle needs which is why determining suitability is incredibly important.
Aftercare
Your aftercare begins immediately after treatment when you are taken to the recovery room to relax and, when you are ready to leave, our specialist nurse will examine you before you go home.
Why choose Precision Vision for Astigmatism Correction Surgery?
Being an independent vision correction clinic, we provide a wide range of treatments to correct varying degrees of astigmatism, including extreme. Our specialised laser treatments are designed to correct mild to moderate astigmatisms. Our gold standard in laser eye surgery, uses only the safest and most advanced technology available to provide outstanding results, constantly surpassing expectations. Our non-laser surgical solutions are ideal and fully optimised to correct any type of astigmatism for patients of all ages
Truly bespoke treatment plans are individually designed for each eye of every patient. These are used to create a tailored surgery that in the hands of an expert surgeon, will perfect your vision. All of our laser eye surgeries are conducted by one of the country’s leading refractive surgeons; Dr CT Pillai. A refractive and corneal specialist with over 30 years of experience as an ophthalmic surgeon. He was one of the first surgeons in the UK to perform bilateral (both eyes treated on the same day) LASIK laser eye surgery
Our patient commitment is unmatched, all our patients see our Medical Director and lead surgeon, getting an opportunity to any questions prior to surgery. Our dedication to providing our patients with as much information and access to expert advice is the envy of the industry. The exceptional service does not end there, all staff are available to help make your journey to better vision as easy and comfortable as possible. Treatments are performed using the most advanced technology and techniques used by experts. All treatment packages include a comprehensive 1 year aftercare program
Astigmatism FAQ's
Astigmatism is a common refractive error caused by irregular corneal or lens shape. Symptoms include blurred vision and eyestrain. An eye exam with our optometrist can diagnose astigmatism.
Treatment options include glasses, contact lenses, and refractive surgery like LASIK or Implantable Contact Lenses (ICLs). The choice depends on factors like prescription strength and individual preferences.
Yes, children can have astigmatism. Treatment options for kids are similar to adults and may include glasses or contact lenses. Early detection through routine eye exams is crucial.
Astigmatism can have a genetic component, meaning it may run in families. However, environmental factors such as eye strain or injury can also contribute to the development of astigmatism. If you have a family history of astigmatism or other refractive errors, it's essential to undergo regular eye examinations for early detection and treatment.
Yes, astigmatism can often be effectively corrected without surgery using eyeglasses or contact lenses. These corrective lenses compensate for the irregularities in the shape of the cornea or lens, providing clear vision.
Yes, refractive surgery options like Clear Lens Replacement with multifocal lenses can address both astigmatism and presbyopia, providing clear vision at various distances.
While all surgeries carry some risk, refractive surgery is generally safe. Our experienced surgeon, Dr. C T Pillai, discusses potential risks during the consultation, and comprehensive pre-operative evaluations minimize risks.
It's recommended to have regular eye examinations, typically every one to two years, to monitor your eye health and detect any changes in vision or astigmatism. However, if you experience sudden changes in vision or other concerning symptoms, you should schedule an appointment with an eye care professional promptly.
