Astigmatism is a very common vision problem. It is also easily correctable. At Wally Kojima, O.D. and Associates, we have years of experience identifying and addressing astigmatism symptoms. Our eye doctor in Kailua-Kona, HI will perform an eye exam and provide you with the most effective possible astigmatism treatment depending on the results.
Astigmatism Symptoms
The telltale sign of astigmatism is squinting a lot. If you have astigmatism, squinting helps you bring images into better focus. It is also common for people who have astigmatism to suffer frequent headaches and eyestrain and have trouble seeing at night. Astigmatism patients often continue to experience vision problems even after receiving corrective lenses for nearsightedness or farsightedness. Astigmatism can make it seem like you are nearsighted and farsighted at the same time.
You can have 20/20 vision and still have astigmatism. Unlike presbyopia that makes focusing on close objects difficult or impossible or myopia that makes focusing on distant objects difficult or impossible, astigmatism gives you sometimes clear vision and sometimes blurry vision at all distances. Astigmatism results from imperfections in the curvature of your eyeball.
Our eye doctor will assess the severity of your astigmatism by using a device called a keratometer to measure the curvature of your cornea. There is also a screening test online that involves looking at a chart that looks something like the spokes of a wheel. The keratometer test gives an accurate, numerical grade for the severity of your problem. Astigmatism correction provided by our optometrist will vary depending on your lifestyle, preferences, and the severity of your condition.
What Causes Astigmatism to Worsen
You didn't give yourself astigmatism by squinting a lot. You can't get astigmatism by watching too much TV or spending too much time on your computer. There's never a case in which astigmatism is the patient's fault. Astigmatism may occur as the eye heals after surgery or an injury. Or it can result from a degenerative disease of the cornea called keratoconus. Our optometrist will be able to sort out the causes of your astigmatism and prescribe lenses that will correct it. It's especially important for children who have astigmatism to get correction as soon as possible, so they don't fall behind at school.
Optometrist in Kailua-Kona, HI
If you are looking for astigmatism treatment in Kailua-Kona, HI, contact Wally Kojima, O.D. and Associates today. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call us at (808) 331-8081.