Symptoms of astigmatism

Abstract symptoms of astigmatism

  • Astuteness
  • Visual disturbances
  • Burning eyes
  • a headache
  • Farsightedness (hyperopia)
  • Nearsightedness (myopia)

A trained eye specialist can use a series of tests to determine the astigmatism (Astigmatism / astuteness) determine.
This includes, among other things, a simple eye test, a light refraction test, a corneal measurement or electronic imaging of the surface of the eye.
Common symptoms are astigmatism (Astigmatism / astuteness) that both near and distant objects appear blurred.
As a result, those affected often squint their eyes in order to influence the refraction of light so that the image on the retina is as sharp as possible.

The increased exertion and increased muscular activity lead to cramping of the muscles around the eyes and around the eyes, which is often the case with those with astigmatism (Astigmatism / astuteness) Leads to severe headaches.
The constant blurring at close range also makes reading difficult, which leads to complaints and symptoms of fatigue, especially after studying the small print for a long time.
Even if objects are specifically fixed with the eyes, overstraining the eyes can cause headaches, another of the symptoms of astigmatism.

In the case of astigmatism, the severity of the symptoms depend on how severely the cornea is crooked and the extent to which refraction errors arise.

Often the affected person does not notice slight astigmatism because the brain can compensate for the different vision and insufficient focus to a certain extent.

More pronounced astigmatism, in which one is clearly pronounced Intelligence / point visibility is noticeable through blurred vision near and far.
The eye will constantly try to focus the distorted image, but sufficient adjustment of the refractive power (Accommodation) is no longer sufficiently possible from higher values.
This leads to overuse with headaches and the eyes often start to burn.

Even if an astigmatism (Astigmatism / astuteness) also occurs alone, as it is often combined with other ametropia such as myopia (Myopia), Farsightedness (Hyperopia) or presbyopia / presbyopia (Presbyopia) to find. This reduces the curvature of the cornea (Astigmatism / astuteness) appearing symptoms of blurred vision are additionally intensified.

A regular or normal astigmatism (Astigmatism / astuteness) is present when the values ​​are between 0.5 and 1.0 diopters, because this degree of curvature represents the physiological deviation from the ideal circular shape of the cornea of ​​the eye and therefore it is hardly or not at all for those affected perceived.

It has not been conclusively clarified whether astigmatism can actually worsen, but this is often observed. It develops slowly and the patient does not notice any complaints at the beginning, as the brain can then sufficiently compensate for the blurred images. If the images then become too blurry, the aforementioned headache and burning sensation occur as the ciliary muscles of the lens are overstrained.
A general loss of visual acuity eventually occurs when the brain is no longer able to compensate for the blurred images.

Symptoms in Babies and Young Children

Since astigmatism is in most cases a congenital impairment of vision, it is particularly important to test a child's eyesight at a very young age in order to identify any astigmatism and to be able to treat it appropriately.

Of course, each child's character, nature and development are different, but some are noticeable because they always seem a little more awkward than their peers. For example, they more often stumble over small bumps in the floor or over doorsteps or reach into space when they want to reach for an object.
This is often not only due to clumsiness, there could well be an undetected visual defect that makes it extremely difficult for the child to perceive their surroundings as they actually are, since these children tend to see distorted and blurred.
If the blurred vision occurs both in the distance and in the vicinity, it is most likely a corneal curvature, a so-called congenital astigmatism.

Due to the distorted perception of the surroundings, even the simplest everyday tasks become a real challenge for the child: things specifically to pick up, the Bring the spoon straight to your mouth or that Place the glass undamaged on the table.
It is extremely important to have children examined for astigmatism at an early stage so that they can be treated as early as possible and compensated for with appropriately ground glasses.

When asked whether an astigmatism is present, parents should always bear in mind that the child will not necessarily complain about impaired vision, since the astigmatism is usually congenital and neither increases nor decreases in strength. Therefore, one should pay attention when the baby or toddler disproportionately often with the eyes winks or you squints, over a headache or Burning eyes complains or especially photosensitive is.
If the child then comes into contact with picture books, one should pay attention to whether it "sticks to the book with his nose“, Since in most cases astigmatism is associated with a refractive error in the eyes, i.e. nearsightedness or farsightedness.

At Babies Pay special attention to the following early warning signs: Squint, Changes on the eyelid, one occurring Opacity of the cornea, not completely black pupils and trembling, yellowish, inflamed or watery eyes.
With toddlers and school children are more common Rubbing eyes, frequent Stumble or a rather less secure gait, the already mentioned bringing objects close to the eyes (or vice versa) and increasing difficulty seeing once there is something darker becomes, groundbreaking.

Even if the very little ones are not yet able to understand the instructions of the pediatrician or ophthalmologist, let alone follow them, it is still possible to check their eyesight, for example with the so-called book candy test.
Here, small balls of sugar are placed on the hand, which the child should follow with their eyes and also safely reach for them - even if one of the two eyes is covered. If it does it without any problems, it speaks for the child's eyesight. If not, it could be due to an astigmatism.