Astigmatism Symptoms
Astigmatism is a condition in which the cornea of the eye has an abnormal curvature which causes vision to become out of focus. The cornea is the clear transparent tissue that covers the frontal area of the eye. The cornea is very sensitive and contains the most nerve endings in the body. This eye disorder is also referred to as refractive error. In mostly every one, the cornea tends to be irregularly curved to a certain extent. But if the curvature is significant, treatment must be administered.
The human eye has a spherical shape and the cornea has an equal curvature in all directions. As such the light entering the eye is refracted uniformly. This allows us to view objects properly. For an individual with Astigmatism, the eye has a significant curvature and is shaped like a ball. As such, the light entering the eye tends to get refracted mostly in one direction only. Thus the person is able to view only a part of the object. Objects, whether near or far tend to appear blurry. This condition can be acquired through genetic traits and may be detected at birth. Excessive pressure on the cornea caused by the eyelids could also result in Astigmatism. Improper posture or using the eyes continuously and for a prolonged period of time for doing close work could also lead to the development of Astigmatism.
Astigmatism that is undetected usually causes symptoms such as blurring of vision, headaches, strain in the eyes and tiredness. Individuals with Astigmatism are unable to detect details that are near or at a distance. Such symptoms may not be necessarily indicative of Astigmatism, but an eye check-up must be done to rule out the possibility. An eye exam is used to diagnose the disorder. The condition can be treated through the use of eyeglasses or contact lenses. In some cases, surgery may also be required to correct the refractive error. Natural remedies are known to bring relief to those with this condition. Rose water may be mixed with lime juice and put into the eyes thrice a day. This is believed to improve the eyesight considerably. Intake of foods such as walnuts, almonds, spinach and carrots are also known to help in treating Astigmatism. One must also take the necessary precautions to ensure that the condition is not aggravated. These include protecting the eyes from the UV radiation of the sun by wearing sun glasses when going out. One must also not allow smoke from entering the eyes as this can cause irritation.
