Astigmatism is a common refractive error that can develop alongside nearsightedness or farsightedness but functions slightly differently. Like other refractive errors, astigmatism does have the potential to worsen.
Recognizing that certain factors can contribute to worsening astigmatism, can help us take proactive measures to preserve our vision:
- Age-related changes
- Eye injuries or surgeries
- Keratoconus or other corneal injuries
- Chronic eye strain
- Poor vision habits
Understanding Astigmatism
Astigmatism occurs when the eye’s cornea or lens has an uneven curvature, leading to blurry and distorted vision at all distances.
In an eye with no refractive error, light entering the eye is refracted evenly and focuses at a single point on the retina, forming a sharp image. With astigmatism, light focuses unevenly at multiple points, leading to distorted vision at various distances.
We don’t know the exact cause as to why astigmatism develops, but evidence suggests that genetics can play a role.
Those with a family history of astigmatism are more likely to develop the condition themselves. However, astigmatism can also occur in people with no family history of the condition.
Aside from visual distortion, symptoms of uncorrected astigmatism can include:
- Eye strain or discomfort.
- Squinting in an attempt to see clearly.
- Difficulty seeing at both near and far distances.
- Fatigue, particularly after tasks requiring visual focus.
- Frequent headaches, especially after prolonged tasks like reading or working on screens.
Even mild uncorrected astigmatism can make the world appear blurry, stretched, or distorted. Daily tasks like reading small text, recognizing faces from across the room, or driving at night, can become significantly harder.
Without proper management, symptoms can worsen over time, potentially impacting quality of life.
Why Can Astigmatism Worsen?
Recognizing why astigmatism (or any refractive error) can worsen, requires a deeper look into how our eyes develop and interact with the environment.
Our eyes develop during childhood and adolescence, gradually maturing as we grow. This includes changes in the shape and size of the eye structures, which can directly affect our vision.
As we reach our early 20s, most people experience a stabilization period where their vision becomes relatively consistent.
During this period, the eye’s structures typically settle into their final form and the refractive errors, including astigmatism, tend to stabilize.
However, it is worthwhile to recognize that variation exists, and some may experience fluctuations in their vision after this stabilization period. Nonetheless, our eyes are dynamic and therefore, susceptible to changes.
Factors That Cause Astigmatism to Worsen
While astigmatism commonly develops and worsens during childhood and adolescence as the eyes are still growing, it’s worthwhile to recognize that astigmatism can also progress later in life, even after the eyes have finished developing.
Age-related Changes
As we grow older, natural changes in the lens and cornea can develop, impacting astigmatism.
The lens, responsible for focusing light onto the retina, may become cloudy and less flexible, losing elasticity, which affects visual acuity.
Additionally, the cornea may become less elastic as well, leading to changes in its shape and potentially worsening astigmatism.
Eye Injuries or Surgeries
Injuries or trauma to the eye, like foreign bodies or chemical burns can lead to corneal scarring or damage, altering its curvature. It’s necessary to seek prompt medical care to manage these concerns and preserve vision and ocular health.
Those working in hazardous environments, like industrial or construction, are strongly encouraged to wear safety goggles. This barrier helps keep debris and hazardous material away from the eyes.
Similarly, certain procedures, like cataract surgery or corneal transplants, can also contribute to worsening astigmatism, as these surgeries affect the shape and clarity of the cornea.
Keratoconus & Other Corneal Changes
While astigmatism and keratoconus are distinct conditions, they can be closely related.
Keratoconus is a progressive eye condition characterized by the thinning and bulging of the cornea, resulting in a cone-like shape. As the condition progresses, the irregular shape of the cornea can cause stigmatism to worsen significantly.
Keratoconus can also lead to irregular astigmatism, which can’t be corrected with glasses or contacts.
Other corneal changes can also contribute to worsening astigmatism. Conditions such as corneal scarring, corneal dystrophies, and corneal injuries or surgeries can alter the shape and curvature of the cornea, leading to irregular astigmatism.
Chronic Eye Strain
Chronic eye strain can significantly affect vision, contributing to the worsening of astigmatism and other refractive errors.
Spending long hours on digital screens, inadequate lighting, and poor posture while working can strain the eyes and surrounding muscles. When the eye muscles are continually overworked and fatigued, they may struggle to maintain proper focus and alignment.
The sustained effort put on the eye muscles during periods of chronic eye strain can lead to changes in the cornea’s shape and irregularity in muscle function, exacerbating existing refractive errors, including astigmatism.
Poor Vision Habits
When you rub your eyes vigorously, it increases the pressure on the cornea. Over time, this repetitive pressure can cause changes in the shape of the cornea, further distorting the way light enters the eye.
Additionally, leaving astigmatism uncorrected can also worsen this condition over time.
If astigmatism is left uncorrected, the brain may struggle to consistently interpret the blurred or distorted images received from the affected eye. This can also cause your brain to rely more heavily on the other eye for clear vision, potentially leading to an imbalance in visual acuity between the two eyes.
Schedule a Visit
Recognizing what factors can contribute to worsening astigmatism highlights the importance of proactive eye care, like routine eye exams and adopting healthy vision habits.Connect with our team at White Oaks Optometry to schedule a visit for your routine eye exam.
