Astigmatism exercises

Are you considering eye surgery to fix your astigmatism? Before you make that decision, there are some things you need to know. The number of refractive error correction surgeries being performed has dropped substantially over the last five years, and for good reason. Many doctors are linking techniques like LASIK to dry eye and other uncomfortable conditions. You don’t want to trade one vision problem for another. Luckily, more and more people are learning how to treat astigmatism with natural remedies like eye exercises, and you can too.What Is Astigmatism?Normally, the front of your cornea curves to fit the surface of your eye. Astigmatism is when one area is flatter than the other. As light tries to pass through the cornea to the retina, the uneven surface of your cornea misdirects it. This causes blurry vision.The most common symptom of astigmatism is blurry vision. It can be very distracting and debilitating to deal with. Simple tasks like reading a book or being on the computer are a struggle with astigmatism. You may also notice other symptoms like eyestrain, headaches, and eye irritation.If you’ve had a checkup with your eye doctor, they likely gave you three options for treating astigmatism: prescription glasses, contact lenses, or eye surgery. What they didn’t tell you was that there are natural ways you can treat your astigmatism that won’t cost a penny. Eye exercises and taking vision-boosting vitamins can improve your vision.Do Vision Training Exercises Really Work?Believe it or not, eye exercises can help you

Astigmatism symptoms and strain the eyes. Regular pauses, looking away from the screen, and applying the 20-20-20 rule (20 seconds every 20 minutes at an object 20 feet away) can all help.Get enough sleep: Sleep is crucial for maintaining overall eye health. Sleeping enough helps in avoiding eye strain and dry eyes, which can worsen astigmatism symptoms.Manage stress: Eye health might suffer from stress. Deep breathing exercises, yoga, and other stress-reduction methods can be used to control stress and stop the symptoms from getting worse.By making these lifestyle changes, you can naturally manage and prevent astigmatism from getting worse. However, it’s important to remember that these changes may not completely cure astigmatism, and it’s still important to see an eye doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.Limitations of Natural RemediesThere can be certain limitations on the usage of natural treatments for astigmatism. While certain treatments might offer brief remission, they might not be able to fully eradicate astigmatism.The efficiency of natural therapies may differ from person to person, which is another drawback. One person’s solution might not work for another, and some treatments might even have adverse effects. It’s also crucial to keep in mind that natural treatment may take longer than conventional ones to show benefits.Additionally, depending entirely on all-natural treatments could put off a correct diagnosis and course of therapy for underlying eye disorders that might be the cause of astigmatism. To ascertain the root of astigmatism and the best course of action for therapy, it is advised that you speak with an eye professional.Finally, it’s critical to realise that natural therapies shouldn’t be taken in place of routine eye exams and appropriate eye care. Maintaining good eye health requires adopting healthy lifestyle practises, visiting an eye doctor frequently, and adhering to their advised treatment plan. For severe cases of astigmatism, your doctor will recommend other methods to treat astigmatism to regain your distorted vision after conducting a test.Common Astigmatism Correction MethodsEyeglasses or Contact LensesThe most common way to treat astigmatism is by recommending corrective lenses. Your doctor will prescribe a particular pair of soft lenses called toric. These contact lenses help to bend more light in a specific direction than the other. In more severe cases, you may require a gas-permeable rigid contact lens. Astigmatism treatment also includes the use of eyeglasses to treat vision problems.Early InterventionRemember that both children and adults are susceptible to the symptoms of

Astigmatism is a common vision condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Despite its prevalence, it remains misunderstood by many.Astigmatism ExplainedAstigmatism is a refractive error that occurs when the cornea or lens of the eye is irregularly shaped. Instead of being perfectly round (like a basketball), the cornea or lens may have a slight oval shape. This irregularity causes light to focus unevenly on the retina, leading to blurred or distorted vision at any distance.Common SymptomsBlurred or Distorted Vision: Objects may appear blurry or stretched out.Eyestrain: Difficulty focusing on objects for prolonged periods.Glare: Lights at night may look like starbursts.Diagnosing AstigmatismDiagnosis typically involves a comprehensive eye exam conducted by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. This may include a visual acuity test, refraction assessment, and measurement of corneal curvature.Shop These FramesTreatment OptionsGlasses: Prescription eyeglasses can compensate for the irregular shape of the cornea or lens.Contact Lenses: Special toric contact lenses are designed to correct astigmatism.Refractive Surgery: LASIK or PRK can reshape the cornea to improve vision.Myths vs. FactsMyth: Astigmatism only affects distant vision.Fact: Depending on severity, astigmatism can affect both near and distant vision.Myth: Wearing glasses makes astigmatism worse.Fact: Glasses or contact lenses prescribed by an eye care professional can correct astigmatism and improve vision quality.Myth: Astigmatism can be cured with eye exercises.Fact: While eye exercises may help with eye strain, they cannot reshape the cornea or lens to correct astigmatism.Shop These FramesBy debunking common myths, individuals with astigmatism can make informed decisions about their vision care. If you are experiencing vision problems, schedule an eye exam with your eye doctor to explore your treatment options. Remember, clear vision is within reach with the right support and care! Dr. Steven Liem Dr. Steven Liem, O.D., F.A.A.O. is an optometrist based in Pasadena, California. After obtaining his doctorate from UC Berkeley’s School of Optometry, he completed his residency in Pediatrics, Vision Therapy & Rehabilitation and became a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. When he isn’t busy streaming or making Youtube videos about video games, Dr. Liem aims to broaden accessibility to vision health through his involvement in optometric industry and tech.