Astigmatism can distort or blur your vision. The American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery explains that this eye condition occurs when the length of the eyeball does not match the eye’s focusing power. Following your treatment plan can improve your eyesight after your diagnosis. But even if you do, astigmatism can still worsen. Here are the factors that can worsen this refractive error.

The Possible Causes 

This eye issue is not the same as hyperopia or myopia. In astigmatism, light focuses on different areas inside the eye. Both hyperopia and myopia can have astigmatism. The irregular shape of your lens or cornea is the main cause of this condition. This transparent part of the eye is the one that does not focus light the right way. 

Most people’s astigmatism stays the same. In other people, this refractive error can change slowly between eye checkups. It can change with time. In some cases, it can change without any clear reason at all. Here are factors that can possibly cause astigmatism to worsen:

• The expansion of the cornea can worsen astigmatism. This can make it more difficult for you to see. It can also cause sudden changes in your vision. 

• Keratoconus can add to severe astigmatism. This condition results from an irregularly-shaped and thin cornea, disrupting your eye’s ability to focus light on your retina. It often leads to blurry vision. 

• Studies show that myopia contributes to the progression of astigmatism. 

• Age is a strong contributing factor to worsening astigmatism. Aging causes the cornea to become even more irregular because of sagging eyelids. Research reveals that astigmatism often stabilizes until you reach the age of 50. Then, your corneal curvature worsens every 10 years. 

• Ethnicity

• The axis of astigmatism

• Gender

Testing for Worsening Astigmatism

You must see your eye doctor to see how bad your astigmatism is becoming. Your eye doctor will talk to you about your vision problems. An eye chart will be the start of your vision test. Corneal topography may follow. This will help your eye doctor look at your cornea’s curvature. 

Through different lenses, your eye doctor will see how your eyes catch the light. There will be additional tests if your eye doctor notices a change in your vision. You should expect changes in your prescription and a new pair of eyeglasses before the visit ends. 

The tests for worsening astigmatism are not painful. You can go ahead and ask your eye doctor anything that you find concerning. Your eye doctor aims to find out how to correct your astigmatism. Your comfort must remain even if your vision changes. You should decide if contact lenses or eyeglasses are for you. 

You may look at a normal eye as a soccer ball. Its curvature remains the same even if it rolls across the field in different ways. An eye with astigmatism is like an American football. The elongated axis would be flatter than the axis along its sides. There would be two focal points in the eye. 

Understanding what causes astigmatism to worsen can help determine the necessary treatments that you may need for this type of eye condition. At General Vision Express Lens Lab, we always prioritize the eye and vision health of our patients. Please visit our facility in Brooklyn, New York, for an in-person consultation. Call 718-486-6055 to schedule an appointment or inquire about our astigmatism treatment packages.