Acquired eye astigmatism: causes and treatment. Clinics. Consultation with an ophthalmologist.

Astigmatism, depending on the moment of its appearance in a person, can be congenital or acquired. The acquired form of astigmatism is much less common. The disease is characterized by a violation of clear fixation of objects.

The main reasons for the appearance of this pathology include the following factors:

injury to the organs of vision;
constant heavy strain on the eyes;
keratoconus;
complication of infectious lesions of the cornea;
complications after eye surgery.

In ophthalmology, all cases of acquired astigmatism are considered pathological, regardless of the reasons for its development, and require mandatory treatment: contact correction or other methods of therapy are used. In adults, acquired astigmatism is considered a complex type of this ophthalmological pathology, since with the development of the disease along one main meridian, an uneven change in refractive power occurs.

It is customary to distinguish three stages of development of acquired astigmatism:

mild astigmatism: no more than 3 diopters;
average astigmatism: from 3 to 6 diopters;
high astigmatism: more than 6 diopters.

Psychosomatics of the disease

Psychosomatics is a branch of medicine aimed at studying the psychological causes of diseases. What is astigmatism and why does it appear? From the point of view of psychosomatics, such a vision pathology arises due to a person’s reluctance to accept the world and himself as it is. People with this diagnosis consider only their own point of view to be correct, and do not even take other people’s opinions into account.

Why does astigmatism develop from a psychological point of view? The following psychological reasons can provoke the development of such a refractive error:

excessive self-criticism,
internal conflict,
opinion of oneself as a source of trouble,
fear of being convinced of one’s insignificance by seeing oneself from the outside.

That is, such an eye disease is a kind of reaction of the body to unpleasant life events that cause mental anguish. Most often, this problem occurs in weak-willed adults with strong self-hypnosis. A disease of a psychological nature in most cases requires qualified help from a psychologist.

Can astigmatism go away on its own? Sometimes pathology of a psychological nature goes away without the help of a specialist.

Astigmatism in children

Most often, astigmatism in childhood develops as a result of a hereditary predisposition. If you seek help from a specialist, then in the presence of pathology, the doctor will be able to diagnose the disease even in an infant.

Astigmatism in children can also be a consequence of previous eye injuries, as well as pathologies of the dental system or lens dislocation.

The main problem of astigmatism in childhood is that parents often do not pay attention to the symptoms of astigmatism for a long time and do not suspect that their baby has vision problems. After all, children do not often complain about their eyesight.

The main symptoms of astigmatism in children are:

the appearance of headaches, which usually manifest themselves in the forehead area;
dizziness;
the child refuses to read and look at pictures;
the child begins to squint his eyes and tilt his head at different angles.

The appearance of the above signs should alert parents and serve as a reason to contact a medical facility. There is no need to panic right away, because such symptoms will not necessarily mean that the child is developing astigmatism, but you should not ignore a trip to the ophthalmologist.

Astigmatism in children, as well as in adults, is divided into several types. It is more difficult to make an accurate diagnosis in children because they sometimes do not complain of symptoms of astigmatism. For these reasons, astigmatism in children is usually diagnosed at a more advanced stage.

In order to promptly identify the disease, parents need to closely monitor the child’s condition and systematically show it to an ophthalmologist. Treating astigmatism at an early stage increases the chances of full vision restoration.

Symptoms of astigmatism

In ophthalmology, it is believed that there is no ideal shape of the cornea, and every person has at least a minimal violation of the sphericity of the shell. With a slight deviation from the norm, signs of vision deterioration are not observed. The initial stages of development of the pathology are manifested by slight blurring of vision, which is often mistaken for ordinary fatigue caused by prolonged work at the computer.

As the disease progresses, the following symptoms appear in adults and children:

rapid visual fatigue,
image distortion,
splitting of objects
feeling of sand in the eyes,
poor visibility at night,
blurred visible image,
increased sensitivity to light,
throbbing headaches
soreness in the eyebrow area.

With excessive visual strain, symptoms such as hyperemia, itching, burning and a feeling of pressure in the eyes may appear. How does a person see with astigmatism? People with this problem see objects as deformed and blurry, confuse words and letters, and have difficulty orienting themselves in space.

With this diagnosis, objects at near and far distances appear incorrect, and problems arise with determining the distance to something. Trying to make the image clear, the patient squints and tilts his head. With age-related astigmatism, difficulties often arise with the selection of optics.

Signs of astigmatism

Before learning how to treat astigmatism in adults, it is important to know the signs of the disease so as not to make a mistake in choosing treatment.

Most often, astigmatism is inherited. Therefore, its signs can be detected even in childhood. Children may complain of eye fatigue, may constantly squint, which indicates decreased vision, and their eyes turn red when stressed. If parents notice these signs in their child, then they urgently need to show him to the doctor to find out how to treat astigmatism in children.

In addition, children must be checked by a doctor if at least one of their parents has such a disease. If childhood astigmatism is left untreated, there is a risk of decreased vision that cannot be corrected, that is, the development of amblyopia. Therefore, it is extremely important to promptly check the child’s vision with a doctor, who, if the disease is detected, will give clear recommendations on how to treat eye astigmatism in children.

Other signs of the disease include the following:

The outlines of things are distorted.
Seeing double even with little physical exertion.
Things have fuzzy boundaries.
Frequent headaches.
Eye fatigue increases even with minor loads.

There are three periods of astigmatism - weak, medium, high. During a weak period, eye damage occurs by no more than one diopter. In this case, vision practically does not deteriorate and treatment is not required. In the middle and high periods, the intervention of doctors is already necessary.

Myopia and farsightedness are true companions of astigmatism. As a rule, one or the other occurs along with astigmatism, but sometimes signs of both diseases appear.

Classification

Taking into account the location of the pathological process, there are 2 types of astigmatism:

Corneal. The most common form of the disease, resulting from curvature of the cornea of the eye.
Lenticular. Where does it come from? This type develops due to deformation of the lens and is rare.

The following classification of astigmatism is also distinguished.

By nature of origin:

Congenital. If the deviation is insignificant (up to 0.5 D), then this is physiological astigmatism. This deviation does not affect the quality of vision and does not need correction.
Acquired. This form of the disease is always pathological and needs correction.

According to the type of refraction of the main meridians:

Straight. The refractive power is more pronounced in the vertical perpendicular plane of the eye.
Back. A more intense refractive power is observed in the horizontal meridian.
With oblique axes (combination of forward and reverse).

By type of origin:

Correct astigmatism. The eye meridians are mutually perpendicular.
Irregular astigmatism. The main meridians are not mutually perpendicular, and differences in refraction are observed in different areas.

Most often, corneal astigmatism affects both organs of vision, but sometimes the pathological process is diagnosed only in one eye.

Astigmatism - types, classification

In ophthalmology, there are 5 forms of the pathology in question. Curvature of the lens or cornea is always combined with either farsightedness (hyperopia) or myopia (myopia). Astigmatism is classified according to the concomitant disease - types:

hypermetropic;
myopic.

Taking into account how astigmatism is defined, that it is the elongation of the cornea or lens along one of the axes (vertical or horizontal), ophthalmologists evaluate its severity along the meridians. If you mentally divide the eye into 4 equal parts using 2 perpendicular lines, each area should contain identical and absolutely symmetrical areas of the pupil. If the cornea or lens is curved along one of the meridians, the quarters will be elongated along one of the axes, as shown in the figure. This characteristic determines the simplicity and complexity of the pathology.

Simple hyperopic astigmatism

The described type of disease is a combination of normal refraction of light in one meridian, and incorrect refraction in another. Another way to define such astigmatism is that it is the appearance of 2 focusing points. One is located correctly, in the middle of the retina, and the other is behind it. Hypermetropic astigmatism of a simple form causes noticeable but not severe visual impairment. It responds well to therapy or surgical correction.

Compound hyperopic astigmatism

In the presented case, the light is refracted incorrectly in both meridians. Complex astigmatism of the hypermetropic type is farsightedness in 2 axes, but to varying degrees. As a result of incorrect refraction of light by the lens or cornea, no focusing center is formed on the retina. They are located behind her at different points, one further, the other closer.

Simple myopic astigmatism

This variant of the disease is easy to understand by analogy with the previous types. Knowing the definition of myopia (myopia), it is also clear that astigmatism combined with it is the formation of one of the focusing points in front of the macula. Because of this, not a clear image is formed on the retina, but a blurry spot. Simple astigmatism of this type involves the presence of a second point of focus exactly at the macula. This type of pathology leads to noticeable myopia, but can be easily corrected, especially by surgical methods.

Complex myopic astigmatism

This form of visual impairment is characterized by curvature of the cornea or lens in 2 meridians. For this reason, complex myopic astigmatism is accompanied by severe myopia. There is not a single focus point in the macula; they are all located in front of it. Only a large and very blurred light spot is formed on the retina.

Mixed astigmatism

This variant of the disease is considered the most complex and leads to serious visual impairment. Mixed astigmatism - what is it: myopic refraction of light in one meridian and hypermetropic along the other axis. As a result, there is not a single focus point on the retina. If the types of astigmatism described above, including complex ones, involve the concentration of light rays behind or in front of the macula, then the mixed form combines these problems. One focusing point is located behind the retina, and the other does not reach it.

Degrees of development

Taking into account the severity of the lesion, there are 3 degrees of astigmatism, which are measured in diopters:

Weak. Refractive error does not exceed 3 diopters and is easily corrected with glasses or lenses. Sometimes hidden astigmatism develops.
Average. The degree of deviation is in the range of 3-6 diopters. Glass correction is not effective; wearing lenses or laser intervention is necessary.
Strong. Refractive errors exceed 6 diopters and are most often of a post-traumatic nature. High-grade therapy must be complex and long-term.

At the first stage of the disease, there are almost no symptoms, which makes it quite difficult to identify the problem in a timely manner. As the degree of deviation increases, clinical manifestations become more pronounced, and the quality of vision rapidly deteriorates.

Degrees of astigmatism

Finally, another important criterion to consider before deciding how to treat astigmatism is the extent of the disease.

So, ophthalmologists distinguish three main degrees of astigmatism:

Weak degree (up to 3 diopters). This degree of the disease is the most common and can be treated using all known methods (glasses, contact lenses, laser correction).
Medium degree (from 3 to 6 diopters). This degree is less common. You cannot use glasses to correct it. In this case, you can use contact lenses, laser vision correction or surgery.
High degree (more than 6 diopters). The cause of such a high degree of astigmatism may be gross changes in the cornea. For treatment, hard contact lenses are used, and laser and surgical vision correction are also combined.

It becomes clear that the higher the degree of the disease, the more vision deteriorates, and the more difficult it is to correct it. Many people want to know how to treat astigmatism at home. Let's look at these and other treatment methods below.

Diagnostic methods

You can determine deviations in the refraction of the eye using the following diagnostic measures:

ophthalmoscopy,
visometry,
tonometry,
biomicroscopy,
refraction test,
skiascopy,
refractometry,
ophthalmometry,
Ultrasound of the eye.

If the above methods of testing for astigmatism did not help identify the pathology and the characteristics of its course, then an additional vision test may be prescribed.

Diagnosis of astigmatism

Symptoms of the disease, especially at a young age, can be blurred, so it is quite difficult for non-professionals to determine the presence of astigmatism. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis. Do not neglect preventive examinations. Children under one year of age need to visit an ophthalmologist monthly, preschoolers once every 2 years, and schoolchildren and adults annually.

Ophthalmoscopy is one of the main methods for diagnosing astigmatism.

During the examination, the doctor examines the organs of vision using:

visometry - testing visual acuity;
ophthalmoscopy - examination of the fundus and vitreous body;
refractometry - analysis of eye refraction;
biomicroscopy - a study that allows you to examine in detail all the structures of the organs of vision;
skiascopy - determining the value of refraction using a professional lighting device;
ophthalmometry - measuring the curvature of the cornea with a manual keratometer;
keratotopography - computed tomography examining the cornea;
fixation of intraocular pressure;
Ultrasound examination of the organs of vision.

Using these methods, it is possible to detect even initial degrees of astigmatism in any patient, including infants over 3 months of age.

Combination with other eye pathologies

Curvature of the cornea is often combined with other refractive errors of the eyes. Taking into account what eye disease develops simultaneously with astigmatism, the following forms of pathology will be distinguished:

Myopic. Combined with myopia, the refractive power of the eye increases. Myopic astigmatism occurs in several forms: simple (one of the meridians of the right eye is normal, and the other is myopic) and complex (myopia is diagnosed on both eye meridians to varying degrees of severity).
Hypermetropic. Combined with farsightedness, the refractive power of the eye weakens. Farsighted astigmatism can also be simple or complex.
Mixed. The refractive power of focal lines varies significantly, resulting in one eye meridian being nearsighted and the other farsighted.

Acute astigmatism often develops against the background of other ophthalmological diseases, so astigmatism and cataracts (keratitis, keratoconus) are often diagnosed simultaneously.

Mechanism of disease formation

Normally, the cornea is a completely transparent membrane that covers the outside of the eye. It has a regular spherical shape and a smooth surface without scars or deformations. Then, when light falls, it focuses the image at one point and transmits it to the retina.

With astigmatism, the surface of the cornea is uneven and curved in different directions . Its shape resembles an irregular oval. Therefore, it can refract light in several places at once and focus the image at two or more points on the retina. As a result, a person develops double or simply blurred vision.

In particularly advanced cases, the contours of the visible image are distorted, as if a person is looking into a distorting mirror.

Optical correction

How to cure a refractive error? For mild astigmatism, vision can be improved by correction with glasses or lenses. For refractive errors of up to 2 diopters, doctors recommend wearing special glasses with cylindrical lenses. Taking into account the form of the pathology, the type of lenses in the prescription is indicated by a plus or a minus. Correcting vision for astigmatism with glasses helps improve the quality of vision, but does not eliminate the main problem. Is it possible to cure the disease completely in this way? Pathology can be cured using this method only at the initial stage, with minimal disturbances.

For more serious deviations, toric contact lenses help combat astigmatism, as they create optimal conditions for binocular vision, providing clear vision in both eyes. Toric CLs are easy to use, they do not limit the field of vision and are suitable for any type of activity, but they can cause inflammation and require a long period of getting used to.

To correct astigmatism, soft silicone hydrogel TCLs are predominantly prescribed.

What is astigmatism and how to treat it: we tell you in simple words

19.06.2020

What is astigmatism and how to treat it: we tell you in simple words

Eye astigmatism is a common phenomenon: every fourth resident of any large city faces this problem.
However, it is difficult to identify the exact number of cases: ophthalmologists say that in most cases, patients come to them at a late stage - at first almost nothing is noticeable. In addition, many people mistakenly attribute deterioration of vision to fatigue, long reading, or working at the computer.

However, this does not detract from the facts: although mild astigmatism is not so easy to recognize, it affects hundreds of people. What are its symptoms, what it is and how effective modern treatment methods are - we will tell you in more detail.

What is astigmatism?

In simple terms, astigmatism

is a distortion of vision that occurs due to the fact that light is unevenly focused on the retina. That is, the eye is not able to see a clear and clear picture - to patients faced with such a problem, everything seems a little blurry.

In addition, the image can be distorted in different ways - some see everything either horizontally or vertically elongated.

Astigmatism: causes of appearance

All the reasons why this disease occurs are divided into two categories:

congenital
- astigmatism is usually inherited. The fetal cornea or lens is damaged in the womb from 3 to 7 weeks of gestation, when the woman does not even suspect that she is pregnant. In addition, there is a high risk of astigmatism if one of the parents - not necessarily the mother - has suffered from vision problems since childhood. This is why astigmatism in children is quite common;
acquired
- that is, cases when the disease appears under the influence of an external factor. Most often, astigmatism is caused by various eye injuries, but inflammatory processes due to infection are also fraught with its appearance.

Types and degrees of astigmatism

This disease can occur either on its own or in combination with myopia or farsightedness. Taking this criterion into account, the types of astigmatism are distinguished.

Simple - one of the meridians is characterized by normal vision, and the other is characterized by myopia or farsightedness.
Complex - occurs in two meridians simultaneously along with one of the refractive errors.
Mixed - myopia is observed in one meridian, and farsightedness in the other.

The degrees are distinguished depending on how much light is refracted on the retina. Weak astigmatism does not exceed 3 diopters, medium varies from 3 to 6 diopters, and high astigmatism is obviously beyond 6 diopters.

Can astigmatism be cured?

There are several effective methods, and which one is right for you depends on many factors - but the main criterion, of course, is the degree of the disease.

The simplest method for treating astigmatism

- Wearing special toric glasses. They differ from ordinary ones in the shape of the lenses - it is cylindrical. Those who are already used to glasses will like this method, but keep in mind that the toric model may cause discomfort.

An alternative to glasses is toric contact lenses. Previously, patients with astigmatism could only wear a very rigid and uncomfortable model, but those days are gone. We recommend that you carefully monitor your eye hygiene - otherwise, you can get an infection along with the lens.

Of course, in some situations they also offer surgical methods. For astigmatism up to 5 diopters, laser correction is necessary, and for astigmatism of 3 diopters, replacement of the lens with an artificial one.

Take care of your eyesight!

Treatment of astigmatism with drops

It is impossible to cure refractive error with medications. However, the correct use of special eye drops helps to consolidate the effect of the main treatment and prevent the progression of the pathology. Local preparations for induced astigmatism have the following properties:

accelerate metabolism in eye tissues,
improve blood circulation,
moisturize the surface of the eyeball,
relieve fatigue and tension,
prevent the negative impact of the external environment.

Eye drops are especially useful if astigmatism and farsightedness are diagnosed at the same time. For this disease, the following drugs are most often prescribed:

Taufon,
Emoxipin,
Quinax,
Vizin,
Midroom,
Irifrin.

To achieve a positive result, drops for chronic astigmatism should be used according to the regimen prescribed by the doctor.

To achieve a positive result, drops for chronic astigmatism should be used according to the regimen prescribed by the doctor. Sometimes homeopathy is additionally prescribed.

Surgery

In case of significant deviations, correction of astigmatism is possible only through surgical intervention. Depending on the form, severity and characteristics of the course of the disease, refractive surgery can be performed in the following ways:

Excimer laser . The operation is carried out quickly and painlessly, the postoperative period proceeds quickly and without complications. This method of surgical treatment is carried out only for stage 1 disease and has a number of contraindications.
Keratotomy. Helps correct deviations of up to 4 diopters. The essence of the procedure is to apply corneal incisions, the healing of which occurs over a long period of time. Because of this, the result after surgery can be unpredictable.
Thermokeratocoagulation . The sphericity of the cornea is changed by cauterizing the periphery of the cornea, thereby increasing the refractive power. Often used for hypertrophic form.
Lens replacement . If lens astigmatism is diagnosed, then this method of therapy is the most effective. An artificial lens is implanted in place of the removed lens nucleus, providing the necessary optical power.

It is impossible to cure astigmatism without surgery. Only with the help of surgical intervention the problem disappears forever.

Treatment of astigmatism using traditional methods

If astigmatism is detected, its treatment should be promptly started in order to prevent the development of possible complications. There are various methods of combating the disease; the attending physician decides how to treat the pathology in each specific case. It could be:

The use of contact lenses - they are made to order in order to compensate for an uneven cornea; constant wearing of lenses is the most preferred type of correction for this disease.
Use of glasses - for simple astigmatism, spherical lenses are used, because one meridian has normal refraction. For complex or mixed astigmatism, a combination of spherical and cylindrical lenses is needed. Glasses are made individually, taking into account all the nuances of a particular case of disease.
Hardware treatment - this treatment method is most often used in complex therapy, which is usually combined with surgery, as well as vision correction with lenses. In some situations, treatment only with devices is possible.

A course of vitamin therapy is carried out using special dietary supplements.
Laser correction of astigmatism – the indication for this procedure is astigmatism up to 4 diopters, it is performed on an outpatient basis. The essence of the operation is to grind the cornea in certain places; a special device is used to separate the upper layers of the cornea, thereby providing laser access to the deeper layers. After eliminating the problem, the flap of tissue is placed in place, fixed under the influence of collagen and fused without sutures. This procedure lasts only 10-15 minutes and pain relief occurs under the influence of local anesthesia in the form of drops. The laser action on the cornea lasts no more than 40 seconds. The patient feels almost no pain, and the result is noticeable immediately. If the pathology is associated with a defect in the lens, then the operation consists of replacing it with an artificial one. After the procedure, the rehabilitation period is minimal, the patient’s vision returns to normal within two hours, and full recovery occurs in seven days. Such treatment may be contraindicated in women who are pregnant and breastfed, have severe diabetes, have glaucoma, cataracts and eye inflammation, as well as damaged retina.
Astigmotomy – this operation is an alternative to laser treatment and involves the application of micro-incisions. This method is indicated for patients with astigmatism above 6 diopters and under the age of 18 years. After the procedure, the patient needs a gentle regime for the eyes, it is forbidden to go to the bathhouse, drink alcoholic beverages, and heavy physical labor is contraindicated.

If astigmatism is detected, its treatment should be promptly started.

Eye gymnastics for astigmatism

With a mild degree of the disease, you can correct your vision by doing special exercises; although this method does not completely get rid of the pathology, it significantly improves visual acuity and helps prevent atrophy of the eye muscles. The following exercises are useful:

alternately concentrate your vision on a nearby object, then on a distant one;
draw numbers and letters, curves and straight lines with your gaze;
move the pupils to the sides, up and down with the eyelids closed, and then with the eyelids open;
rotate alternately open and closed eyes clockwise and counterclockwise;
blink frequently and softly for several seconds;
concentrate your gaze for 30 seconds on the finger placed on the bridge of your nose;
make many large turns of the head;
Close your eyes tightly for a few seconds, this ensures blood flow to the eyeballs.

The effectiveness of gymnastics also lies in the fact that in the process of performing the exercises, muscles relax and rest, blood circulation and metabolic processes in the eyes improve. It should be done at least 2-3 times a day, and if the eyes are constantly working hard, every hour.

Traditional methods

To maintain the body during traditional treatment, traditional medicine methods can be used in parallel:

decoction of eye socket herb (eyebright) – 1 tsp, pour 200 ml. boiling water and hold for a few minutes over low heat; you need to drink the decoction twice a day, half a glass.
infusion of dill seeds - 2 tbsp. l. Grind the seeds in a coffee grinder and pour in 500 ml. boiling water, then leave for three hours in a place protected from light, drink 2 tbsp. l. three times a day.
infusion of blueberry leaves – 1 tsp. pour 100 ml. boiling water and leave for three hours. Take 50 ml twice a day.
take four heads of garlic and four lemons and grind in a blender, then transfer the mass into a ceramic bowl and add two liters of cold water, and then put it in the refrigerator, covered, for six hours. After which you need to strain the infusion and drink 50 ml. twice a day.
This recipe is suitable if the patient does not have hypertension - take and grind dry lemongrass leaves in a coffee grinder and take 1 tsp of this powder. half an hour before breakfast.
You can also make a tincture from lemongrass that improves vision - pour 100 grams of the fruit into a glass jar and pour 400 ml. medical alcohol. Take the tincture in the morning, 30 drops before meals for 14 days.
Take cold, clean water and splash it into your closed eyes - this procedure improves blood circulation and relieves vascular spasm.

Physiotherapy

How to get rid of astigmatism quickly and safely? For a speedy recovery, the following types of physiotherapy are prescribed:

Electrical stimulation. This hardware treatment method painlessly and safely improves blood circulation in the eye tissues.
Laser stimulation . A safe method of physiotherapy that has an anti-inflammatory effect, improves microcirculation and increases visual acuity.
Color therapy . The eyes are exposed to light pulses of various colors, which improves microcirculation and improves the quality of vision. Green radiation on the eyes helps relieve tension and normalize ophthalmotonus.

To achieve a positive result, it is necessary to undergo several courses of hardware treatment, combining them with exercise therapy, computer programs and proper nutrition.

Nutritional Features

People with this eye disease are advised to give preference to the following food products:

fermented milk products,
lean meats and fish,
cereals,
vegetables and herbs,
fruits,
nuts,
seeds.

If you have astigmatism, you need to eat foods in small portions, the last meal should be light and no later than 2 hours before bedtime.

Regular consumption of fruits, vegetables, natural juices and fruit drinks will help improve your vision.

Limitations with astigmatism

What should you not do if you have a refractive error? People with this diagnosis should not engage in activities related to computers, precision instruments and small parts. If the sphericity of the cornea of both eyes is impaired, the following recommendations should also be followed:

stop driving at night,
avoid watching TV or reading books for long periods of time,
do not read in poor lighting,
Avoid watching movies in 3D.

If there is a progressive refractive error, then driving a car and serving in the army is prohibited.

Is severe astigmatism treatable or not? The pathology is treated regardless of the degree, but the method of therapy may differ.

Astigmatism and sports

With this disease, you should avoid heavy and traumatic physical activity (for example, boxing or weightlifting). With a slight deviation of refraction, almost any kind of sport with moderate physical activity is allowed. If the violation of the sphericity of the cornea is within 3-8 diopters, then it is recommended to give preference to yoga, running and swimming. With bilateral astigmatism of a more pronounced degree of visual impairment, you can only engage in table sports. There are also restrictions in extreme sports.

Astigmatism and pregnancy

Corneal curvature itself is not dangerous during pregnancy. However, this disease is often combined with farsightedness or myopia. If farsighted astigmatism has been diagnosed, then the process of pushing does not have a negative effect on the retina, complications are minimal. But if astigmatism and myopia are observed at the same time, then this condition poses a serious danger and requires detailed monitoring by doctors. Natural childbirth with this type of astigmatism is often prohibited, as it often leads to retinal detachment and loss of vision.

Causes of astigmatism

All existing causes that can provoke visual disturbances are divided into the following types:

Congenital causes of astigmatism are hereditary. The main reason for the development of the disease is genetic predisposition. Due to the presence of hereditary factors, the visual organs begin to develop incorrectly even before the baby is born. The disease can also be triggered by some intrauterine abnormalities, such as severe infectious processes and improper actions by medical personnel during delivery.
Acquired injuries are injuries that occur during various life situations. They provoke the appearance of disorders that affect the shape of the cornea or lens. Acquired factors include injuries to the cornea, lens, inflammatory pathologies, keratitis, keratoconus, unprofessional suturing of the cornea and deviations of the dentoalveolar system.

Most often, the cause of astigmatism is considered to be a hereditary predisposition. Therefore, if one of your relatives has previously suffered from such an illness, you should be attentive to your health and systematically visit an ophthalmologist for preventive purposes.

Prevention

You can prevent the occurrence of a refractive error by following these recommendations:

avoid excessive visual strain,
eat a healthy, balanced diet,
work only in good lighting,
do visual exercises regularly,
to live an active lifestyle,
avoid damage to the cornea,
distribute loads rationally,
visit an ophthalmologist regularly, especially during pregnancy,
promptly treat inflammatory and infectious diseases.

Violation of the sphericity of the cornea in an advanced form can lead to the development of strabismus, amblyopia and even blindness.

You can prevent the occurrence of such dangerous consequences if you detect the problem in time and carry out the correct correction.

Astigmatism: types and causes

In modern ophthalmology, two types of eye disease are distinguished depending on the cause that provoked its development:

Congenital. The development of the disease is determined by genetic factors. This type of astigmatism is inherited, and the curved shape of the cornea is to blame. In this case, it is impossible to prevent the occurrence of pathology. By the way, a perfectly smooth cornea is a very rare phenomenon; there are very few such people in the world. Each of us is a carrier of a minimal degree of astigmatism, it’s just that for some it does not rise above 0.5 D and does not have a significant effect on vision, while for others this figure exceeds 0.75 D.

Important! With such a problem, correction is necessary already in early childhood, at the stage of formation of the child’s optical system.

Acquired. This type of disease occurs due to changes in the cornea, which can be caused by damage, diseases of the organs of vision, inflammatory processes in the cornea, eye surgery, etc.

As you can see, the causes of astigmatism can be caused by any violation of the integrity of the cornea, which inevitably leads to a change in its optical properties. The slightest change in the shape of the cornea is enough to change the power of light refraction.