What Is Astigmatism? Eye Doctor Explains

Ophthalmologist, Dr. Rupa Wong, explains all about astigmatism in this high yield video. Is astigmatism dangerous? Thankfully, regular astigmatism is not a disease of the eye. It's simply the shape of the cornea and lens and is easily correctable with glasses and contacts. Astigmatism can change as we age and Dr. Wong explains the effect of aging on your astigmatism. She also discusses treatment options and the natural evolution of astigmatism

Questions Answered and Time Stamps:
0:59: What Is Astigmatism?
2:14: How Astigmatism Affects the Shape of Your Eye and Your Vision
2:40: How to Check Your Glasses Prescription To See If You Have Astigmatism
4:04: With The Rule Astigmatism - What Is It?
4:21: Aging and Against The Rule Astigmatism
5:05: Measuring The Cornea
5:35: What Is Corneal Topography?
6:24: How Your Glasses Prescription Helps With Astigmatism
7:22: Soft, Daily Disposable Astigmatism (Toric) Contact Lenses
9:16: Scleral Lens for Irregular Astigmatism (Corneal Disorders Like Keratoconus)
9:55: Can You Get LASIK or PRK If You Have Astigmatism?
10:17: Cataract Surgery For Astigmatism

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[fefemyluv]

It’s not bothersome to me until I look at traffic lights. 😩

[GaTraCos]

Without glasses, certain kinds of lighting give me intense headaches and nausea. Good fun.

[mariettacobb]

Excellent explanation of astigmatism in a manner a person can understand. Thank you!
I have a question, please. Prior to cataract surgery, even though I wore corrective lenses from the age of 6 to 60, no ophthamoligist ever said or indicated on my eye glass or contact lens Rx that I had astigmatism.
After cataract surgeries and receiving new multifocal lenses, I was told I now have astigmatism in both eyes, corrected by eye glasses. From your explanation regarding eye shape, is it common for the eye shape to be altered by cataract surgery or new lenses? Thank you!

[otiebrown]

TESTING REQUIREMENTS FOR PILOTS: FAA, 3rd Class.
20/40 both eyes.
There is no requirement that Astigmatism even be measured.
I confirm my Snellen at 20/20, and see no reason to measure it.

[ivervasanta]

Driving at night is the worst when you have astigmatism 😊

[Juliet]

Is my astigmatism why head lights coming towards me while driving at night, look wider than they actually are? I see pretty clearly and I have astigmatism. I have been told not to get glasses yet, in fact I went to you a maybe 8 years ago when I had HSMS insurance (now I have Kaiser...). I feel like things at a distance are slightly blurry on the edges, but I barely notice it. The only time my vision bothers me is with lights at night and also when I'm looking at white writing with a dark background, then the letters are slightly blurry, but not when I look at dark letters on a white background.

[person-iz]

I have it too. And i just turned 18 now. Does it needs surgery or it can be done at a later stage. Like does it gets worse with time

[dianevitale]

Was told yrs ago my eyes are often dilated because I've got astigmatism(?). Idk driving at night is torture to me. I avoid for the lights of oncoming cars, etc etc feel I can't trust vision to safely drive. No eye doctor has ever explained or told me anything. Otherwise, I can see pretty good for day driving and dont need to wear glasses. Go figure. GREAT VIDEO, The BEST doc

[mikeske]

I just had my cataract surgery and the surgeon told me that toric lens would not benefit me for my astigmatism, seems that I had lenticular astigmatism in both eyes and very slight cornea astigmatism in the left eye. Since I do drive at night I wanted and actually wanted the clearest possible vision and I did not mind using glasses for near objects I went with the insurance approved single vision IOL. I am extremely happy with the corrective lens I got as I had extreme far sighted in the range +6.00 to +6.25 now a +0.25 in the left eye and no correction needed for the right eye. I did notice if I don't wear the glasses all day except for reading I had a slight eye strain in the left eye. Wearing the glasses no eye strain. MY vision is supercharged now compared to what I had before and I am over the moon in how it feels to wear light weight glasses. I am a 66 year old male.

[Becky_in_Tucson]

Thank you for sharing your considerable knowledge! Much appreciated 😎💖

[Sigma]

Thank you for best explanation..your video is best

[solinazanoni]

Thank you Doctor for sharing the amazing information about astigmatism keep safe ❤❤❤

[redemption]

Could you just be near sighted without astigmatism? I’ve worn glasses for years and contacts for the last 10 mostly and my optometrist gave me a prescription with astigmatism and a month later my glasses make me dizzy after shortly adapting. The edges of the lenses fishbowl for me. Don’t have that issue with other glasses or normal contacts. I’ve never noticed image distortion with lights or at night etc.

[Sarahde]

Will my vision be inaccurate if I get glasses that correct my myopia but ask for no correction for my astigmatism? If so how inaccurate would it be? Like will things appear to be different shapes and sizes than they truly are without astigmatism correction? My glasses with astigmatism correction makes things look more harsh and unappealing and my glasses without astigmatism correction makes things look better. When I look at myself with my glasses that have astigmatism correction and my glasses that don’t my face looks like a complete different shape same with the shape of everything else. Which is reality and accurate? Also when I move my head a little things look wonky and like things are bending with my astigmatism correction glasses.

[vladimirpereira]

I didn't know until 2 years ago that the askewed flares when I look at light sources are caused by my astigmatism. I just thought they were normal and I only had myopia then I looked at my eyeglass prescription and then there's something for astigmatism correction

[abeach]

Ohhhh the tresses doc . . . just uh-mazing that color. Just outstanding on you.
Thank you for your continued 'shares'. I do not always have to time to comment, but
I always hit the like button for you!!

[zarefmesood]

Very ciear simple explanation
Wishing you more success with happy long life

[rizwanabid]

Thanks doctor its so motivational video. My daughter is suffering she is 5 yrs old. Her cylender is -2.75 and axis is 180. I am much woried. After glass also she is flickering in eyes. Plz sugest me what precautions i can take. 😊

[jeffreyhawkins]

BC: 8.6 DIA:15.0 PWR: -14.50 CYL: -4.25 AX:080
BC: 8.6 DIA:15.0 PWR: -13.75 CYL: -4.25 AX: 115
Very different patient Astigmatism case. Just need to know the best Toric lens or Lens to buy ? Please.

[sall]

I am 23 years old. When I was 16 years old, when I went to the doctor, I was a little late. The left eye was 5, the right 4. At the age of 20, the minus in the left eye increased only (-7). The right one remained the same. My doctor told me you are a good candidate for LASIK. Then I went to the doctor at the age of 23, the minus is the same, left - 7, right - 4. I had saved up money for LASIK and wanted to do laser. I did all kinds of tests and was told that LASIK would not be done. Because the astigmatism was high. In my case, phakic lens surgery will be done. But the doctor advised me not to do it because it is risky. If you can see well with glasses, get glasses. What can I do? , this operation is more expensive and I could not do it. Either I have to wear glasses or use normal lenses. It's bad that I can't take photos with my friends normally. But what can I do? That's why I really wanted a laser, I thought I would have normal eyes, but 😪