General characteristics of the disease Astigmatism is the inborn inability of the eyes to focus correctly.. Normally, the light beam should focus on the retina. With astigmatism of the eyes, instead of one focused point, several are formed, and the image itself looks somewhat blurred.

The cause of this type of ametropia (imperfect refractive power of the eye) is a congenital mismatch of the strength of the cross section of the cornea of \u200b\u200bthe eye and retina. Astigmatism of the eyes often accompanies other types of ametropia of vision - hyperopia and myopia. The name of the disease comes from the Greek term “stigma” (period).

In addition to fuzzy vision of objects, patients with eye astigmatism usually complain of headaches and rapid eye fatigue.. The systematic overstrain of the oculomotor muscles during visual work leads to them.. It is estimated that approximately one sixth of the world's population suffers from astigmatism of varying severity.

Types of astigmatism The severity of astigmatism depends on the difference between the two main meridians of the eye. The longer the focal line between the back and front focus of the eye, the worse the visual acuity. Most often, this pathology causes an abnormal toric structure of the cornea. This type of astigmatism, respectively, is called corneal astigmatism..

Astigmatism, in turn, happens to be direct, reverse, or with oblique axes, depending on the location of the meridians vertically, horizontally or along an oblique line.

There is also a classification of types of eye astigmatism depending on the location of the foci relative to the retina:.

Astigmatism is called complex myopic at the main foci with localization in front of the retina..

If one focus is in front of the retina and the other directly behind it, eye astigmatism is considered a simple myopic type of ametropia.

Mixed farsighted astigmatism is formed with the front focus in front of the retina and the back focus located behind it.

Complex farsighted astigmatism is diagnosed with both foci behind the retina.

The rarest form of the disease is acquired eye astigmatism.. It is formed as a result of an injury, a serious ophthalmic disease or poorly performed eye surgery. With this form of ametropia, called irregular, the main meridians are not allocated, which significantly complicates the treatment of astigmatism.

Diagnosis of eye astigmatism Despite the fact that astigmatism is usually congenital, it is diagnosed most often in the second year of a person’s life. It is at this age that the doctor is able to make a forecast for the further development of the child’s organs of vision.

In the diagnosis of astigmatism, an examination of the fundus is used, visual acuity is checked using tables, as well as a skioscopy or a shadow sample. Using the latter, eye refraction is checked.

A more accurate measurement of the degree of distortion is able to determine refractometry. The procedure is fully automated, painless for the patient and allows using the special computer equipment to measure the optical power of the eye with astigmatism with maximum accuracy.

Treatment for astigmatismTreatment of astigmatism in the eyes is possible in several ways. Optical vision correction for astigmatism involves the use of glasses or contact lenses. Glasses are the simplest and most economical method of treating eye astigmatism, however, it has a number of disadvantages: limited lateral vision, impaired spatial perception, discomfort when worn, etc..

Contact lenses are a more comfortable method for correcting astigmatism in the eyes.. And yet, their use is also associated with certain inconveniences. This is a sensation of a foreign body in the eye, the likelihood of infection or injury to the eye.

Surgical treatment of eye astigmatism is also possible.. The most radical surgery for astigmatism is astigmatic keratotomy or AK. During it, several deep incisions are made along the perimeter of the cornea of \u200b\u200bthe patient.. They allow you to change the curvature of the cornea. This type of surgery for astigmatism is used in patients with a coefficient of vision below 2D. It is significantly inferior to the effectiveness of laser technology..

A similar procedure with a change in the curvature of the cornea can be performed using a laser, removing layers of eye tissue. This type of surgery with astigmatism is less traumatic, however, even after it, the patient needs a long recovery period.

The most effective among operations with astigmatism is the technique of laser keratomileusis.. Its essence is to create a new lens under the protective layer of the cornea. Laser operations with astigmatism LASIK and REIK can be performed already in early childhood with poor tolerance of the optical treatment of astigmatism.

Prevention and treatment of astigmatism in children The refocused image in astigmatism in children can cause oppression of the visual system and distorted perception of visual images. As a result of this, there is a secondary decrease in visual acuity, the development of amblyopia (lazy eyes), strabismus - and other complications of astigmatism in children.

Such diseases can be prevented with the help of timely physiotherapeutic, optical, and in rare cases, surgical treatment of eye astigmatism. The early start of therapy allows in most cases to significantly improve visual acuity, and eventually get rid of spectacle dependence.

However, it is important to remember that conservative therapy can only improve eye function and to some extent compensate for refractive errors. With a high degree of astigmatism in children, a corneal defect can be eliminated only with the help of surgical techniques..

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