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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Written by Tao Yuan
Ophthalmology
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Are there any treatments for high myopia and high astigmatism?

High myopia combined with high astigmatism can be treated in the following ways: First, correction by wearing frame glasses is the most widely adopted treatment method currently, which is affordable and safe. Second, using rigid corneal contact lenses for correction, which provide higher image quality than regular frame glasses. Third, correction can be done through laser surgery, such as excimer laser surgery, femtosecond laser surgery, and full femtosecond laser surgery, but it is only suitable for adult patients. Fourth, correction can be accomplished by implanting phakic intraocular lenses in the posterior chamber, generally suitable for patients whose corneal condition does not permit laser surgery, at a higher cost compared to laser surgery.

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Written by Hu Shu Fang
Ophthalmology
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Can contact lenses correct astigmatism?

Contact lenses can be prescribed with a certain degree of astigmatism correction. If the astigmatism is less than 100 degrees, it can be converted into half of the spherical degree to create a prescription, and standard contact lenses can be worn to see clearly. If the astigmatism is greater than 100 degrees but less than 300 degrees, it is necessary to first prescribe sufficient spherical degree, then determine the astigmatism's axis and degree, and manufacture special astigmatic contact lenses. Wearing these can be more comfortable and provide clearer vision. Generally, very high degrees of astigmatism cannot be corrected with contact lenses, and wearing frame glasses is required instead.

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Written by Zheng Xin
Ophthalmology
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How to relieve headaches caused by astigmatism in the eyes?

Eyestrain and headache can be understood in two senses: First, if one experiences astigmatism when viewing objects, accompanied by headaches and eye pain, it is possible that glaucoma is present. This condition is also associated with increased eye pressure and swelling pain in the eyes. If this is the case, treatment to lower eye pressure and treat glaucoma is necessary. The second meaning involves astigmatism identified through an eye examination, indicating a refractive error. If the astigmatism correction in the glasses worn is not suitable, prolonged viewing can lead to visual fatigue, eye pain, and accompanying headaches. In this case, a detailed eye examination followed by wearing appropriate glasses is needed to alleviate the symptoms.

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Written by Tao Yuan
Ophthalmology
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Can high myopia with astigmatism be treated with surgery?

High myopia combined with astigmatism can also be treated surgically, but it requires the patient to be at least 18 years old, and both the myopia and astigmatism must have been stable for over a year without worsening. Before undergoing surgical treatment, a detailed eye examination is necessary. This includes an optometric examination to accurately measure the degree of myopia and astigmatism, a corneal topography test, and an ophthalmic ultrasound to understand the corneal curvature and thickness. Based on these parameters, a specific surgical plan is designed. If the patient’s corneal condition allows, laser surgery is the preferred method for correction. If the patient’s corneal condition is poor and not suitable for laser surgery, correction and treatment can be achieved through the implantation of a posterior chamber intraocular lens in phakic eyes.

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Written by Wang Fang
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Will astigmatism cause the pupils to enlarge?

Astigmatism of the eye is a type of refractive error caused by an uneven curvature of the cornea's surface, resulting in different refractive powers along different axes. Once astigmatism occurs, particularly with a high degree of astigmatism, there can be a noticeable decrease in vision, distortion in sight, or in severe cases, significant eye fatigue. However, it generally does not lead to pupil dilation. Pupil dilation is caused by the paralysis of the ciliary muscle due to internal and external factors, resulting in enlarged pupils. Therefore, if symptoms of astigmatism appear, it is advisable to visit a hospital promptly for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.