Causes of Worsening Astigmatism

Astigmatism is one of the common refractive errors that many people suffer from.

Refractive errors occur due to the inability of the eye to correctly focus light on the retina. This can happen in different ways and for many reasons. A common experience of people with astigmatism is worsening astigmatism.

Let's discuss the causes of worsening astigmatism in some detail to give you a better idea of how this happens and what you should do about it.

What Exactly is Astigmatism?

Astigmatism is a refractive error and a minor eye condition that occurs when the curvature of your cornea or eye lens is not symmetrical. Typically, astigmatism is present at birth and may continue to worsen as you grow older.

However, you can also develop it at any time in your life. The condition results from the abnormal shape of one's cornea or lens. Astigmatism causes the light entering your eyes to focus at multiple focal points instead of directly on your retina

; this results in distorted or blurry vision.

The cause of astigmatism is unclear. Still, a person with astigmatism can manage its symptoms by using the correct ophthalmic lenses. Astigmatism can easily be detected in an eye exam, and you should always speak to your ophthalmologist or optometrist regarding any eye problems.

Causes of Worsening Astigmatism

As with most refractive errors, the problem with astigmatism is that it can get worse over time. Here are the main causes of worsening astigmatism.

· Aging

Sometimes astigmatism gets worse as you age, there is no known reason for this, but we know that it happens. Regular eye exams can keep it in check, and your prescription ophthalmic lenses can be updated to manage vision problems caused by worsening astigmatism.

· Additional Refractive Errors

Developing other refractive errors like nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), or presbyopia (age-related farsightedness) will worsen your astigmatism.

· Additional Eye Conditions

Your astigmatism can also worsen if you suffer from other eye conditions like keratoconus. Keratoconus is an uncommon eye condition that thins your cornea or eye lens and gradually bulges it out in a pyramid shape.

It causes further blurred vision and sensitivity to light and glare, which can contribute to severe astigmatism. It also increases the possibility of sudden changes in your eyesight.

Conclusion

While ophthalmic lenses are the best option for any refractive error, including astigmatism, worsening astigmatism may require further treatment depending on what is causing it.

Whether you suffer from refractive errors or not, it is always best to get regular eye exams to keep your vision and eye health checked. Moreover, we recommend getting a complete eye exam every few years

; this ensures early detection of eye problems, vision loss, or degradation like worsening astigmatism.

If you want to learn more about the causes of worsening astigmatism or want the best ophthalmic lenses for yourself or your business, please visit our website today.