Could You Have An Eye Astigmatism?

Treatment Options Available For Astigmatism

In many cases, corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses can effectively treat astigmatism. Eyeglasses can help sharpen the light and refocus it to hit the retina properly. Rigid contact lenses can effectively reshape the cornea. Optometrists will often recommend one of these two for more severe cases of astigmatism, though soft contact lenses are also an option for mild cases. If this is the chosen treatment, the optometrist will write the patient a prescription for their specific astigmatism, which the patient will then fill either in the optometrist’s office (if they offer this service) or with a licensed optician.

However, the optometrist may decide corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses are not the appropriate treatments, or the patient may request another option, which is where corrective surgery comes in. At this point, the optometrist will refer the patient to an ophthalmologist, who is a licensed eye surgeon and can better discuss the surgeries available to the patient. For details on surgeries to correct astigmatism, continue reading.