Can astigmatism and strabismus be corrected?

Written by Wang Hui Zhen
Ophthalmology
Updated on August 31, 2024
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Astigmatism and strabismus can sometimes be corrected, depending on their severity. Astigmatism refers to the condition where parallel light rays entering the eye cannot focus on a single point on the retina after being refracted by the eye's optical system, instead forming two focal lines, ultimately failing to produce a clear image on the retina. Astigmatism can be categorized into regular and irregular types. Regular astigmatism can be corrected with cylindrical lenses in eyeglasses; while irregular astigmatism generally requires correction with contact lenses. Additionally, after reaching 18 years of age, astigmatism can also be corrected through refractive surgery. Generally, mild astigmatism does not impact vision and does not require special treatment; however, moderate to severe astigmatism, if uncorrected, might lead to amblyopia and other vision impairments. Strabismus means that when one eye is focusing, the visual axis of the other eye deviates from being parallel, presenting an abnormal eye position. It is generally recommended to start treatment immediately after diagnosing strabismus. If there is significant refractive error, glasses should be prescribed first. If glasses cannot correct the condition, surgery might be necessary.

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What will happen if children's astigmatism is not treated?

If children with astigmatism do not receive treatment, the specific consequences will depend on the severity of the astigmatism. If a child has only mild astigmatism and does not exhibit any other clinical symptoms, treatment might not be necessary, and it will not impact the child's vision. However, if the astigmatism is severe, it is necessary to wear corrective lenses for astigmatism; otherwise, it may lead to a decrease in both far and near vision. This is especially true for compound and mixed astigmatism, which can cause a significant decline in a child's vision, and often results in visual fatigue. Children may exhibit symptoms such as eye pain, orbital pain, monocular diplopia, or tearing. Additionally, there may also be occurrences of compensatory head tilting and torticollis.

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Can nearsightedness with astigmatism undergo laser surgery?

Myopia and astigmatism are common eye diseases that are two different types of refractive errors but often occur together. Patients with both myopia and astigmatism who are over 18 years old and have stable prescriptions for more than a year can undergo laser surgery treatment. During the laser surgery, both myopia and astigmatism can be corrected simultaneously. Before undergoing surgery, patients need to visit the ophthalmology department of a hospital for an in-person consultation and examination. The exact degrees of myopia and astigmatism are determined through refraction tests, while corneal topography and ophthalmic ultrasound are used to assess the corneal curvature and thickness to determine if the patient is suitable for corrective laser surgery.

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Written by Lian Wen Xi
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Can 300 degrees of astigmatism in children heal by itself?

Children with 300 degrees of astigmatism will not heal on their own. Astigmatism in children is usually congenital, meaning it is due to genetic factors. There are also a few cases where astigmatism is secondary, caused by poor eye habits or eye injuries, among other reasons. However, regardless of the cause, once astigmatism occurs, there is basically no possibility of it resolving on its own. Astigmatism is a type of refractive error that needs to be corrected by wearing glasses. Moreover, 300 degrees of astigmatism is considered high and can lead to eye fatigue over time. If not corrected, it can also have a serious impact on a child's vision, so parents must pay adequate attention.

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Astigmatism in children is caused by what?

The majority of astigmatism in children is caused by congenital factors, that is, genetic factors. If one or both parents of the child have astigmatism, the probability of the child having astigmatism is higher than that of other children. There are also a few cases where a child's astigmatism is caused by acquired factors, such as surgery, trauma, or illness, all of which may cause changes in the curvature of the cornea and lens. Additionally, a lack of outdoor activities and poor eye habits might also promote the development of astigmatism. It is recommended that once a child is diagnosed with astigmatism, they should go to a reputable hospital for examination and then get appropriate treatment to improve the condition, otherwise, it could impact their vision.

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Can playing with a cell phone every day during pregnancy cause astigmatism?

It is not recommended to use cellphones every day during pregnancy. Although using mobile phones does not cause astigmatism, it can still harm the eyes of pregnant women. Astigmatism is caused by congenital changes in the corneal shape and the intrinsic refractive state of the lens. Various acquired factors can also affect the outcome of astigmatism, such as unhealthy visual habits in daily life and changes in refractive status, which can lead to acquired astigmatism. Engaging in prolonged mobile phone use during pregnancy might lead to myopia, but it will not cause astigmatism. Long-term accumulation of myopia can lead to symptoms like dizziness and fatigue.