Astigmatism Treatment in Dubai: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment

Astigmatism is a common refractive error that causes blurred or distorted vision because the cornea or lens has an irregular curvature. Instead of being evenly rounded like a basketball, the cornea may be shaped more like a football or rugby ball. As a result, light does not focus precisely on one point on the retina, making vision unclear at near and far distances. Astigmatism can occur on its own or along with myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness). It is usually manageable with prescription glasses or contact lenses, while selected patients may benefit from refractive surgery such as LASIK or PRK.

At Vasan Eye & Multispeciality DSC, Dubai, a comprehensive eye examination helps determine the type and severity of astigmatism and identify the most appropriate vision correction option.

What Is Astigmatism?

Astigmatism is an imperfection in the curvature of the cornea or the natural lens inside the eye. In simple means, Astigmatism is a common eye condition where the cornea or lens has an uneven shape, causing blurred or distorted vision at near and far distances. In a normally shaped eye, the cornea and lens bend incoming light evenly so that it focuses clearly on the retina. With astigmatism, the curvature is uneven in different directions. Light therefore focuses at more than one point rather than forming one sharp image on the retina. This can result in blurred, distorted or stretched vision.

Astigmatism is a type of refractive error, along with myopia and hyperopia.

Astigmatism vs normal vision

• Normal eye: Light focuses clearly on one point on the retina.
• Astigmatic eye: Uneven curvature causes light to focus at different points, resulting in blurred or distorted vision.

Astigmatism may be present from birth or develop later due to changes affecting the cornea or lens.

What Causes Astigmatism?

The exact cause of naturally occurring astigmatism is not always known. Genetics can play an important role, and many people are born with some degree of astigmatism.

Other possible causes include:

• Eye injury that changes the shape of the cornea
• Previous eye surgery
• Keratoconus, where the cornea progressively becomes thinner and more cone-shaped
• Corneal scars or other corneal conditions
• Changes in the natural lens, particularly with age
• Certain conditions affecting the eyelids or the surface of the eye

Astigmatism is not caused by reading in dim light, using computers, watching television or sitting too close to a screen.

Types of Astigmatism

Astigmatism can be classified according to the part of the eye involved and the pattern of its curvature.

Corneal Astigmatism

This is the most common type and occurs when the cornea has an irregular or uneven curvature.

Lenticular Astigmatism

This occurs when the natural lens inside the eye has an irregular curvature or shape.

Regular Astigmatism

The principal meridians of the eye have different but relatively regular curvatures. This type can often be corrected effectively with glasses or contact lenses.

Irregular Astigmatism

The corneal curvature is uneven in a less predictable pattern. It may occur with conditions such as keratoconus, corneal scarring or previous eye surgery and may require more specialised assessment and treatment.

Astigmatism can also occur together with myopia or hyperopia.

Astigmatism and Myopia: What Is the Difference?

Myopia occurs when light focuses in front of the retina, making distant objects appear blurry.

Astigmatism occurs when the cornea or lens has different curvatures in different directions, causing light to focus unevenly.

A person can have myopia and astigmatism at the same time. This is why an eye prescription may contain spherical and cylindrical powers.

Astigmatism Symptoms

The most common symptom of astigmatism is blurred or distorted vision at different distances.

Other astigmatism symptoms may include:

• Blurred vision at near or far distances
• Distorted or stretched-looking images
• Headaches, particularly after prolonged visual tasks
• Eye strain or fatigue
• Difficulty focusing
• Squinting to see more clearly
• Difficulty seeing clearly at night
• Glare, halos or starburst patterns around lights
• Eye discomfort

Symptoms can be mild, and some people may have astigmatism without noticing it.

Astigmatism and Night Vision

Astigmatism may become more noticeable in low-light conditions. Some people experience increased glare, halos or star-like patterns around headlights and streetlights, which can make night driving more difficult.

Can You Have Astigmatism Without Knowing It?

Yes. Mild astigmatism may cause few or no noticeable symptoms.

Children may be particularly unlikely to recognise that their vision is blurred because they may assume everyone sees the same way. Undiagnosed astigmatism in children can affect classroom performance and, when significant and untreated, may contribute to amblyopia (lazy eye).

Regular eye examinations are therefore important for both children and adults.

How Is Astigmatism Diagnosed?

Astigmatism is diagnosed through a comprehensive eye examination. The examination assesses both vision and the structure of the eye to determine the amount, type and possible cause of astigmatism.

Depending on the patient’s age and symptoms, testing may include:

Visual acuity test

You may be asked to read letters or symbols from an eye chart. This measures how clearly you can see at a particular distance.

Refraction

Your eye specialist uses different lenses to determine the prescription that provides the clearest vision. Refraction helps measure the spherical and cylindrical components of your prescription.

Keratometry

Keratometry measures the curvature of the cornea. It is particularly useful when assessing corneal astigmatism and planning contact lens correction.

Corneal topography

A corneal topography scan creates a detailed map of the corneal surface. It can help identify irregular corneal curvature and conditions such as keratoconus.

Additional eye examination

A slit-lamp examination and other tests may be recommended to assess the health of the cornea, lens and other structures of the eye.

If astigmatism is changing rapidly or appears irregular, additional corneal evaluation may be important to determine whether an underlying corneal condition is present.

Astigmatism Prescription: What Do Cylinder and Axis Mean?

If you have astigmatism, your glasses or contact lens prescription may contain SPH, CYL and AXIS values.

• SPH (Sphere): Indicates the amount of myopia or hyperopia.
• CYL (Cylinder): Indicates the amount of astigmatism correction required.
• AXIS: Indicates the orientation of the astigmatism and is measured from 0 to 180 degrees.

Your eye care professional uses these measurements to prescribe the appropriate corrective lenses.

Astigmatism Treatment in Dubai

The appropriate treatment depends on the severity and type of astigmatism, the health of the cornea and eye, age, prescription and lifestyle needs.

Treatment options include:

1. Eyeglasses
2. Contact lenses
3. Orthokeratology in selected cases
4. Laser vision correction such as LASIK or PRK
5. Toric intraocular lenses in selected patients, particularly during cataract surgery

Eyeglasses for Astigmatism

Eyeglasses are one of the simplest and safest ways to correct astigmatism. Special cylindrical lens power is incorporated into the prescription to compensate for the uneven curvature of the cornea or lens. Glasses can also correct myopia or hyperopia when these occur alongside astigmatism. For patients with presbyopia, bifocal or progressive lenses may be recommended depending on their vision needs.

Contact Lenses for Astigmatism

Contact lenses can provide clear vision and a wider field of view for many people with astigmatism. Depending on the type and severity of astigmatism, options may include:

• Toric soft contact lenses: These lenses are specifically designed to correct astigmatism. Their optical design helps provide different corrective powers in different directions.
• Rigid gas-permeable (RGP) lenses: RGP lenses maintain their shape on the eye and may provide clearer vision for some people with higher or irregular astigmatism.

Contact lenses require proper fitting, cleaning and replacement to reduce the risk of eye infection and other complications.

Orthokeratology for Astigmatism

Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) uses specially designed rigid contact lenses worn for limited periods, commonly overnight, to temporarily reshape the cornea. This may provide clearer vision during the day without glasses or contact lenses in selected patients. However, the effect is temporary. The cornea generally returns towards its original shape when the lenses are discontinued.

Can LASIK Correct Astigmatism?

Yes, LASIK can correct astigmatism in appropriately selected patients. LASIK uses a laser to reshape the cornea so that incoming light can focus more accurately on the retina. It may be considered when astigmatism occurs with myopia or hyperopia. However, not everyone with astigmatism is a suitable candidate for LASIK. Before recommending laser vision correction, an ophthalmologist may assess:

• Corneal thickness
• Corneal shape and topography
• Degree and stability of the prescription
• Eye surface health
• Tear film and dry-eye status
• Overall eye health
• Presence of corneal conditions such as keratoconus

A detailed assessment is essential before deciding whether LASIK, PRK or another treatment is appropriate.

PRK for Astigmatism

Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is another laser vision correction procedure that can correct astigmatism. Unlike LASIK, PRK does not create a corneal flap. Instead, the surface layer of the cornea is removed or repositioned before the underlying corneal tissue is reshaped using a laser. PRK may be considered for some patients who are not ideal candidates for LASIK, depending on their corneal characteristics and overall eye health.

Astigmatism and Cataract Surgery

Astigmatism can sometimes be addressed at the time of cataract surgery. For suitable patients, a toric intraocular lens (IOL) can correct corneal astigmatism while replacing the cloudy natural lens affected by cataract. The choice of IOL depends on the patient’s eye measurements, corneal astigmatism, visual requirements and overall eye health.

Can Astigmatism Be Cured Permanently?

Astigmatism is generally considered a correctable refractive error rather than a condition that can be permanently cured with glasses or contact lenses. Glasses and contact lenses correct the way light enters the eye but do not permanently change the underlying shape of the cornea or lens. Laser vision correction procedures such as LASIK or PRK can permanently reshape the cornea, potentially reducing the need for glasses or contact lenses. However, results vary between individuals, and natural age-related changes or other eye conditions can affect vision in the future.

The most suitable option can only be determined after a comprehensive eye evaluation.

Can Astigmatism Get Worse?

Astigmatism can change over time. It may increase, decrease or remain stable depending on the individual. A significant or rapidly changing astigmatism deserves further assessment, particularly when changes in the corneal shape are suspected. Conditions such as keratoconus can cause progressive changes in corneal curvature and astigmatism. Corneal topography or other specialised imaging may therefore be recommended when clinically appropriate. Regular eye examinations help monitor changes in your prescription and eye health.

Astigmatism in Children

Children can have astigmatism in one or both eyes. Mild astigmatism may not cause obvious symptoms, so children may not realise that their vision is blurred. Possible signs of astigmatism in children include:

• Squinting
• Sitting close to screens or books
• Difficulty seeing the board
• Frequent headaches
• Eye rubbing
• Difficulty concentrating on visual tasks
• Reduced performance in school or sports

Significant, untreated astigmatism during childhood can interfere with normal visual development and may contribute to amblyopia (lazy eye). Early eye examinations and appropriate correction are therefore important for children.

When Should You See an Eye Specialist?

Book an eye examination if you experience:

• Persistent blurred or distorted vision
• Increasing difficulty seeing at night
• Frequent headaches or eye strain
• Changes in your glasses prescription
• Difficulty seeing clearly despite wearing glasses
• Increasing astigmatism
• Visual changes following an eye injury or surgery

Children should also receive age-appropriate eye examinations, particularly if parents or teachers notice changes in visual behaviour.

Why Choose Vasan Eye & Multispeciality DSC for Astigmatism Care in Dubai?

At Vasan Eye & Multispeciality DSC, astigmatism care focuses on more than simply prescribing stronger glasses.

Our approach can include:

Comprehensive assessment: Evaluation of vision, refraction and overall eye health.

Corneal evaluation: Corneal curvature and topography can be assessed when clinically indicated, particularly when irregular or changing astigmatism is suspected.

Personalised correction: Recommendations may include glasses, toric contact lenses or other appropriate correction based on your visual needs.

Refractive surgery assessment: Patients interested in reducing their dependence on glasses or contact lenses can undergo an assessment to determine whether procedures such as LASIK or PRK may be suitable.

Long-term monitoring: Regular examinations can help monitor changes in prescription, corneal shape and overall eye health.

The right treatment is individual to each patient. Our ophthalmology team will discuss your options after evaluating your eyes.

Frequently Asked Questions About Astigmatism

1. What is astigmatism?

Astigmatism is a refractive error caused by an uneven curvature of the cornea or lens. It prevents light from focusing precisely on the retina and can cause blurred or distorted vision.

2. What are the most common symptoms of astigmatism?

Common symptoms of astigmatism include blurred or distorted vision, eye strain, headaches, squinting and difficulty seeing clearly at night.

3. Can astigmatism cause blurry vision at all distances?

Yes. Astigmatism can cause blurred or distorted vision for both near and distant objects.

4. Can astigmatism cause headaches?

Yes. Uncorrected astigmatism can contribute to headaches, eye strain and difficulty focusing, particularly during prolonged visual tasks.

5. Can astigmatism cause double vision?

Astigmatism can cause distorted or overlapping images in some people. However, persistent double vision can have other causes and should be evaluated by an eye specialist.

6. Can astigmatism be corrected?

Yes. Astigmatism can usually be corrected with prescription glasses or contact lenses. Selected patients may also be suitable for laser vision correction.

7. Can LASIK correct astigmatism?

Yes. LASIK can correct certain amounts and types of astigmatism in suitable candidates. A detailed corneal and eye assessment is required before surgery.

8. Is PRK an option for astigmatism?

Yes. PRK can correct astigmatism in appropriately selected patients and may be considered when LASIK is not suitable.

9. Can I wear contact lenses if I have astigmatism?

Yes. Many people with astigmatism can wear specially designed toric soft contact lenses or, in selected cases, rigid gas-permeable lenses.

10. Can astigmatism get worse with age?

Astigmatism can change over time. It may remain stable, increase or decrease. A significant change should be evaluated to rule out underlying corneal or other eye conditions.

11. Can astigmatism cause blindness?

Astigmatism itself generally does not cause blindness. However, significant or untreated astigmatism in children can interfere with visual development, and progressive corneal conditions such as keratoconus require appropriate specialist care.

12. Can astigmatism be prevented?

There is no established way to prevent naturally occurring astigmatism because eye shape and genetics play important roles. Regular eye examinations can help detect and manage changes early.

13. Is astigmatism the same as myopia?

No. Myopia causes distant objects to appear blurry because light focuses in front of the retina. Astigmatism results from uneven curvature of the cornea or lens. Both can occur together.

14. What tests are used to diagnose astigmatism?

Diagnosis may involve visual acuity testing, refraction and corneal curvature measurements such as keratometry. Corneal topography may be recommended when more detailed assessment of the cornea is needed.