Astigmatism Specialist
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Smart Eye Care
Ophthalmologists located in Brooklyn, NY
Astigmatism is a condition in which vision is blurred due a curvature of the cornea or lens, causing the image to be out of focus on the retina. At Smart Eye Care in Brooklyn, New York, the expert team of doctors uses several treatments to address this condition. Call the office to find out the right way to treat your astigmatism, or use the online booking agent to make an appointment with Dr. Edward Rubinchik, Dr. Evelyn Icasiano, Dr. Leon Aleksandrovich, or Dr. William Kestin.
Astigmatism Q & A
What causes astigmatism?
Your cornea is the clear, round dome that covers your eye’s iris and pupil. Normally, it’s smooth and curved equally in all directions so light focuses onto the retina at the back of your eye, and you see clearly. When the cornea or lens isn’t evenly curved or smooth, these light rays don’t refract correctly and compromise your vision.
Problems with the shape of your cornea mean you have corneal astigmatism, while problems with the shape of the lens are diagnosed as lenticular astigmatism. With both types, near and far objects may appear blurry and distorted.
Astigmatism is usually a genetic condition, and it may indicate keratoconus in which your cornea has a cone-like bulge. Some people may develop astigmatism following an eye injury, eye disease, or surgery.
What are the symptoms of astigmatism?
You may notice changes in your vision that indicate astigmatism. These include:
- Blurred vision
- Eyestrain
- Headaches
- Squinting
- Difficulty seeing at night
How is astigmatism diagnosed?
You may come in complaining of distortions of your vision, but in cases of mild astigmatism, you may not realize you have a problem. Children with astigmatism may not recognize that their vision isn’t normal. Regular visits to Smart Eye Care keeps you on top of your eye health and can help diagnose astigmatism early.
You may astigmatism alone, or have it in conjunction with nearsightedness or farsightedness.
How is astigmatism treated?
The ophthalmologists at Smart Eye Care often recommend corrective lenses, in the form of eyeglasses or contact lenses, to treat astigmatism. Lenses normalize the refraction of light, making images clearer.
You may also opt for refractive surgery, LASIK, or cataract surgery, all of which aim to change the shape of the cornea permanently. Discuss these options with the doctors to find out which one might be right for you.
What is the treatment if I have keratoconus?
Keratoconus is a condition that can lead to astigmatism. If the doctors at Smart Eye Care diagnose you with keratoconus, it means you have a thin, cone-shaped cornea which distorts and blurs your vision. They offer FDA-approved corneal crosslinking as a way to halt the progression of keratoconus and reduce the risk you’ll need a corneal transplant in the future.