Astigmatism is an eye condition that affects the way light is focused on the retina. It is caused by a curvature of the cornea or lens, which distorts the light entering the eye. Astigmatism can cause blurred vision, double vision, and difficulty in seeing at night. While astigmatism cannot be cured, it can be managed with glasses, contact lenses, or laser surgery.
What Causes Astigmatism to Worsen?
Astigmatism can worsen over time, and the severity of the condition can vary. A number of factors can cause astigmatism to worsen, including:
Age: As people age, the lens and cornea can become less flexible, which can cause astigmatism to worsen.
Eye Injury: Trauma to the eye can cause the lens or cornea to become distorted, leading to a worsening of astigmatism.
Disease: Certain eye diseases, such as keratoconus and ectasia, can cause the lens or cornea to become distorted, leading to a worsening of astigmatism.
Progressive Conditions: Certain conditions, such as high myopia, can cause the eye to become distorted over time, leading to a worsening of astigmatism.
Lifestyle Changes: Changes in lifestyle, such as smoking, can cause the lens or cornea to become distorted, leading to a worsening of astigmatism.
Preventing Astigmatism From Worsening
Fortunately, there are steps people can take to prevent astigmatism from worsening. These include:
Protecting the Eyes: Wearing protective eyewear when playing sports or engaging in activities that could cause an eye injury can help prevent astigmatism from worsening.
Maintaining Healthy Habits: Eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and avoiding smoking can help maintain the health of the eyes and prevent astigmatism from worsening.
Regular Eye Exams: Regular eye exams can help detect changes in the eye that may indicate a worsening of astigmatism.
Treatment: If astigmatism does worsen, glasses, contact lenses, or laser surgery can help manage the condition.
By understanding what causes astigmatism to worsen and taking steps to prevent it from worsening, people can help maintain the health of their eyes and vision.