Does Wearing Glasses Worsen Astigmatism?
Astigmatism is a common vision condition that occurs when the front surface of the eye, the cornea, has an irregular shape. This causes blurred vision at all distances. For those with astigmatism, glasses or contact lenses may be prescribed to help correct the vision. But does wearing glasses worsen astigmatism?
Cornea: The transparent front part of the eye, covering the iris and pupil.
The short answer is no, wearing glasses does not worsen astigmatism. In fact, eyeglasses can actually help to improve vision in those with astigmatism. Studies have shown that wearing glasses can help to reduce the astigmatism and improve visual acuity. In some cases, corrective lenses can even reduce the severity of the astigmatism, allowing the person to go without them for a period of time.
However, it is important to note that glasses do not cure astigmatism. The cornea will remain irregularly shaped, and the blurriness of vision may return once the glasses are removed. For those with astigmatism, wearing glasses is not optional. Even if the vision seems clear without them, it is important to wear them regularly to ensure that the astigmatism remains under control.
It is also important to note that there are certain activities that may worsen astigmatism. Intense activities, such as heavy lifting or playing sports, could cause the cornea to become more irregularly shaped. This could lead to a worsening of the astigmatism. It is important to protect the eyes from these types of activities to help prevent further damage to the cornea.
The bottom line is that wearing glasses does not worsen astigmatism. In fact, glasses can actually help to improve vision in those with astigmatism. However, it is important to wear glasses regularly and to protect the eyes from activities that could worsen the condition.