Symptoms
The symptoms for astigmatism vary from person-to-person. Some people might be asymptomatic (showing no signs of the condition) while others are symptomatic (showing signs of the condition). If you experience any of these symptoms, do not assume it is due to astigmatism. These symptoms may be caused by other, less serious health conditions. If you experience any one of them, see your physician.
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Blurred (objects appear fuzzy) or distorted (objects appear twisted or out of focus) vision
- Excessive squinting or closing of the eyes
Diagnosis
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. You may also be referred to a doctor who specializes in the medical and surgical treatment of eye disorders and vision measurements (ophthalmologists) or a trained and licensed professional who can diagnosis vision and eye disease and prescribe corrective lenses (optometrist). Tests may include the following:
- Visual acuity assessment test (VAT)—this test is used to measure how well you can distinguish different size letters or symbols (very large to very small) at a specific distance
- Refractor test—this test uses a refractor, a special instrument that has interchangeable lenses of different strengths to measure how well you see objects at various distances. The ophthalmologist or optometrist will ask you to look through the lens and read a chart that is several feet away. The ophthalmologist or optometrist will adjust the strength of the lens based on your responses.
- Keratoscope—a device used to detect and measure the presence of corneal surface curvature
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2012 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.
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