How is Astigmatism Different from Myopia?
Are you having trouble seeing clearly? Not sure if it is myopia or astigmatism? When it comes to our eyesight, things are not always crystal clear as we will like to be. Two common refractive errors that many people face are astigmatism and myopia (short-sightedness). But what exactly are these refractive errors, and how do they differ? Let us take a closer look.
Understanding astigmatism
Imagine your eye is a camera lens. Now, instead of being perfectly round like a basketball, think of it more like a rugby football. That is what happens with astigmatism – the front part of the eye (cornea) has an irregular curvature. This means light rays do not focus evenly on the back of the eye (retina), making things look blurry with glare and haloes around light sources. It is akin to taking a photo through a wavy piece of glass.
Understanding myopia (short-sightedness):
Now, picture yourself trying to read a sign that is far away. If it looks fuzzy or you cannot make out the words, you might have myopia. The eye is like a camera that is really good at focusing on things up close and far. But with myopia, it is going to be difficulty to see things far away like road signs or the bus number.
How is astigmatism different from myopia?
The main difference between astigmatism and myopia is how they affect the vision. A person with astigmatism has issues with seeing both near and far things clearly. It is like looking through a pair of glasses that is smudged or scratched. Myopia, on the other hand, mainly messes with your ability to see things far away. Up close, things might still be clear, but as they move further away, they get fuzzy.
When it comes to correcting myopia and astigmatism, there are several options available, ranging from spectacles and contact lenses to surgical procedures like LASIK surgery. Let us explore each of these vision correction options:
1. Spectacles
Spectacles is an effective and most common method to correct both myopia and astigmatism. Prescription glasses have lenses specifically designed to bend light in a way that compensates for the refractive errors in the eyes. For myopia, the lenses will be concave (thinner in the middle and thicker at the edges), while for astigmatism, the lenses may have a cylindrical power to correct the irregular curvature of the cornea.
2. Contact lenses
Contact lenses are another popular option for correcting myopia and astigmatism. Unlike spectacles, contact lenses sit directly on the surface of the eye. There are special toric contact lenses available for those with astigmatism, which are designed to match the irregular shape of the cornea. These lenses are available in soft, rigid gas permeable and hybrid varieties, providing options for different preferences and needs.
3. LASIK surgery
LASIK surgery offers a permanent solution for myopia and astigmatism by reshaping the cornea to correct refractive errors. During LASIK surgery, a thin flap is created on the cornea, and a laser is used to reshape the underlying tissue. You will need to see an eye specialist in Singapore for a thorough eye examination to evaluate your suitability for surgery.
The choice of vision correction option for myopia and astigmatism highly depends on various factors, including the severity of the refractive error, lifestyle preferences, ocular health and personal preferences. Consulting an eye specialist is essential to determine the most suitable option based on individual needs and circumstances. Be it spectacles, contact lenses or LASIK surgery, the goal is to achieve clearer vision and improve the quality of life.
Contact Eye Max Centre
Please contact Eye Max Centre at +65 6691 1000 or manager@eyemax.sg if you are myopic and/or astigmatic and will like to seek professional help in managing them.
