Did you know that one in three people has some degree of astigmatism? Many don’t even realize it, especially when symptoms are mild. But for others, uncorrected astigmatism can lead to chronic blurry vision, headaches, and strain that interferes with daily life.
Fortunately, astigmatism is treatable, and the eye care specialists at Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center—with locations across Arizona, including Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tucson, and Flagstaff—offer comprehensive diagnostic and treatment solutions to help you enjoy life in focus.
What Is Astigmatism?
Astigmatism is a common refractive error caused by an irregular curvature of the eye, usually the cornea or lens. Rather than being perfectly round, the surface of the eye may be shaped more like a football than a basketball. This irregular shape prevents light from focusing correctly on the retina, resulting in blurry, distorted, or fuzzy vision.
There are two main types of astigmatism:
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Corneal astigmatism, caused by a misshapen cornea
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Lenticular astigmatism, caused by a distorted lens inside the eye
Types and Symptoms of Astigmatism
Astigmatism often presents alongside other vision issues like myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness):
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Myopic Astigmatism: Light focuses in front of the retina, making distant objects blurry.
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Hyperopic Astigmatism: Light focuses behind the retina, making it difficult to see nearby objects.
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Mixed Astigmatism: Light focuses in front of and behind the retina due to different curvatures in each axis of the eye.
Common symptoms include:
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Blurry or distorted vision at all distances
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Eye strain or discomfort
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Headaches
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Difficulty seeing clearly in low light
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Starbursts or glare at night
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Frequent squinting
What Causes Astigmatism?
Astigmatism may be present from birth or develop over time. While the exact cause isn’t always clear, genetics, eye injuries, or past surgeries, such as cataract removal, may play a role. It’s also possible for astigmatism to worsen with age.
How Is Astigmatism Diagnosed?
A comprehensive eye exam at one of our Arizona locations includes several tests to identify and measure astigmatism:
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Visual Acuity Test: Measures your ability to read letters on a chart.
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Auto Refractor: Analyzes how light changes as it reflects off the retina.
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Keratometry or Corneal Topography: Measures the curvature of your cornea.
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Phoropter: Helps determine your precise corrective lens prescription.
Once diagnosed, your eye doctor will work with you to choose the best treatment option based on your vision goals and lifestyle.
Astigmatism Treatment Options
Whether your astigmatism is mild or severe, the Barnet Dulaney Perkins team offers personalized solutions to correct your vision:
Eyeglasses
The simplest and most affordable option. Your prescription will include:
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Cylinder (CYL): The lens power needed to correct astigmatism
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Axis: The orientation of your astigmatism
Toric Contact Lenses
Specially designed soft contact lenses that adjust for astigmatism and provide greater comfort and clearer vision than older rigid lenses.
Rigid Gas-Permeable (RGP) Lenses
Recommended for higher levels of astigmatism, RGP lenses reshape the front of the eye to correct the refractive error.
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K)
These rigid lenses are worn overnight to temporarily reshape the cornea. Patients enjoy clear daytime vision without lenses but must wear them regularly to maintain results.
LASIK and Laser Vision Correction
Are you wondering if LASIK can correct your astigmatism? The answer is yes, and in many cases, laser surgery can reduce or eliminate your need for glasses or contacts.
At Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center, we offer the most advanced technology in laser vision correction:
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Wavefront-Guided LASIK (WFG) for customized reshaping of the cornea
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Femtosecond LASIK (FS-LASIK) for highly precise corneal incisions
Not everyone is a candidate for LASIK, especially if the cornea is too thin or the astigmatism too severe. That’s why we offer a free LASIK consultation to evaluate your eligibility and recommend the safest, most effective course of treatment.
Expert Care in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tucson & Flagstaff
At Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center, we are proud to serve patients across Arizona with cutting-edge vision care and a team of specialists dedicated to your long-term eye health.
Whether you need a routine eye exam, a new pair of prescription lenses, or are considering laser surgery, our doctors are here to help. We offer:
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Same-day appointments
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Advanced diagnostic tools
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LASIK self-evaluations
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Personalized treatment plans
FAQ: Astigmatism Treatment Options
What is astigmatism?
Astigmatism is a common refractive error that happens when the cornea or lens has an irregular shape. Instead of evenly focusing light on the retina, the eye bends light unevenly, which can make vision appear blurry, distorted, or fuzzy.
What are the most common symptoms?
Common symptoms include blurry or distorted vision, eye strain, headaches, squinting, trouble seeing clearly in low light, and glare or starbursts at night. Some people have mild astigmatism and do not notice symptoms right away.
Can glasses correct my astigmatism?
Yes. Glasses are often the simplest and most affordable way to correct astigmatism. Your prescription may include cylinder and axis measurements to more accurately sharpen your vision.
Are contact lenses a good option?
They can be. Many patients do well with toric contact lenses, which are designed specifically for astigmatism. For higher levels of astigmatism, your eye doctor may also recommend rigid gas-permeable lenses.
What is Ortho-K, and how does it help?
Orthokeratology, or Ortho-K, uses rigid lenses worn overnight to temporarily reshape the cornea. Patients can then enjoy clearer vision during the day without wearing lenses, but they need to wear the lenses regularly to maintain results.
Can LASIK treat it?
Yes, in many cases, LASIK can reduce or even eliminate the need for glasses or contacts for patients with astigmatism. Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center offers advanced laser vision correction options, including wavefront-guided LASIK and femtosecond LASIK.
Am I automatically a candidate for LASIK if I have astigmatism?
No. Not everyone with astigmatism qualifies for LASIK. If your cornea is too thin or your astigmatism is too severe, your surgeon may recommend a different treatment instead.
How do eye doctors diagnose it?
A comprehensive eye exam can diagnose astigmatism and assess its severity. Your doctor may use tests such as visual acuity testing, autorefraction, keratometry, corneal topography, and phoropter testing to develop a treatment plan.
What is the best treatment?
The best treatment depends on the severity of your astigmatism, your daily routine, and your vision goals. Some patients do well with glasses or contacts, while others may be good candidates for LASIK or another vision correction procedure. Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center recommends choosing the treatment that best fits your lifestyle and eye health.
Schedule Your Vision Care Appointment
If you’re experiencing blurry vision, frequent eye strain, or nighttime glare, you could be living with undiagnosed astigmatism. The good news? Relief is just an appointment away.
Schedule an eye exam or vision correction consultation at one of our Arizona locations in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tucson, or Flagstaff! Discover how our expert eye doctors can help you see clearly and confidently.
Medically reviewed by Anthony Nappi, OD