When light is bent due to where it hits the cornea and passes through the eyeball, this is called astigmatism. Those with astigmatism have a curved, oblong cornea. In fact, some parts of the cornea may be steeper or more rounded than other parts. When astigmatism occurs, a person complains of blurry images that may also appear stretched out.

Children and adults can have astigmatism. If astigmatism is minor, the patient may not even notice the change in vision. This is especially true in children, who often have difficulty realizing they have a vision issue. However, if astigmatism is left undiagnosed in a child, his/her vision and school performance could be impacted. In addition to blurred vision, other symptoms of astigmatism include eye discomfort or headaches. A regular comprehensive eye examination will detect any astigmatism in children. Eyeglasses, contact lenses, or surgery can correct astigmatism.

If you or your child experiences visual discomfort or blurred vision, contact Riverdale Ophthalmology today.