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 Wu Ben Rong
Pediatrics
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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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Written by Lian Wen Xi
Pediatrics
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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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Written by Wang Fang
Ophthalmology
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How to protect eyes with astigmatism

Some patients have congenital astigmatism, while most of the patients have acquired astigmatism. The occurrence of astigmatism is mostly due to improper sitting posture. It is caused by looking at objects from an inclined angle rather than directly from the eyes' proper axis. Especially lying down while reading or using smartphones can easily lead to an increase in astigmatism. If astigmatism is not corrected, it can easily worsen eye fatigue, thereby inducing a further increase in the degree of vision problems. In daily life, it is important to correct poor sitting postures and avoid situations such as lying down while reading or using smartphones. Engage more in outdoor activities, and limit reading sessions to no more than half an hour at a time. Consuming more vitamins A, D, C, E, and lutein in the diet can also help in preventing astigmatism.

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Written by Tao Yuan
Ophthalmology
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How can children with minor astigmatism recover?

Mild astigmatism in children refers to astigmatism below 150 degrees, which can impact vision. Currently, once the degree of astigmatism is established, there are no effective non-surgical treatments available to reduce it. Since children cannot immediately undergo surgery to correct astigmatism, the alternative is to wear frame glasses or rigid corneal contact lenses to correct their vision and enhance their eyesight. In subsequent life, it's important to develop good eye habits, avoid squinting when looking at things, not use the eyes at close range for extended periods, and try to prevent the degree of astigmatism from increasing. After reaching adulthood, astigmatism can be corrected through laser surgery.

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Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
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Can nearsightedness surgery correct astigmatism?

Surgery for nearsightedness can correct astigmatism, and surgeries for nearsightedness can be divided into corneal laser surgery and ICL surgery. Corneal laser surgery can be considered if the astigmatism is less than 400 degrees, while ICL surgery can be considered if the corneal astigmatism is less than 600 degrees. Additionally, astigmatism can be classified as regular and irregular. The treatment is generally more effective for regular astigmatism. If it is irregular astigmatism, further ophthalmologic examination should be conducted to rule out corneal and other ocular conditions.