Disease "Astigmatism what is it and how to treat it?

Symptoms of astigmatism are reflected in the quality of life. A person who has this illness is poorly seen objects, their outlines, seem blurred. Astigmatism is manifested in violation of refraction. The development of the disease is associated with corneal defects, pathological changes in the lens. It should be noted that any ophthalmologic pathology requires professional treatment.

Definition of disease

At an astigmatism the sphericity of a cornea is broken, pathological changes also are exposed a lens. The image for this pathology is fixed not in one point of the retina. It can fall on different points or behind the retina. Such processes provoke distortion of vision.At development of a pathology there is a defocusing of light beams

. This reaction leads to image distortion. If astigmatism is diagnosed in excess of 1 D, vision is usually severely impaired.

Kinds

The forms distinguish between congenital and acquired astigmatism.

1. Congenital,as a rule, is not pathology. If the value does not exceed, diopter, visual acuity remains normal and this physiological feature does not require treatment.
2. The acquired form of astigmatism is caused by eye injuries.The disease can develop after an unsuccessful operation.

By type, direct and inverse astigmatism is classified.

1. With directThere is a stronger refraction in the vertical meridian, refraction in the horizontal meridian is weaker.
2. On the contraryAstigmatism is strongly refracted in the horizontal meridian, and weaker in the vertical.

The disease is classified by the refraction of the eye.

1. Mixed astigmatism is characterized by a combination of myopia and hypermetropia.
2. With a simple observed myopia or hypermetropia in one meridian, in the second vision is normal.
3. Complex astigmatism is characterized by changes in both meridians.

There are 3 degrees of the disease:

1. Weak (up to 3 dptrs);
2. The average (3-6 diopters);
3. High (more than 6 dpt).

Causes

Astigmatism is transmitted by hereditary path.If someone in the family has suffered from this disease, you should check the child as soon as possible.

Pathology can be acquired:in this case it is associated with cicatricial processes in the organ of vision. These are due to eye injuries, ophthalmic surgery.

Symptoms

The first signs of the disease manifest themselves in the preschool age.The child can confuse some letters. The perception of objects is disturbed: the contours seem to be indistinct.In adults and children, astigmatism manifests itself as a headache, unpleasant sensations over the eyebrows.Symptom of the disease is asthenopia. Man, as a rule, does not endure long visual loads. The sensation of sand in the eyes is another sign of the disease.

Doubling in the eyes.

If astigmatism is at an early stage, vision is defocused.

If you find one of the above symptoms, you need to see a doctor. Symptom of astigmatism can be double vision. It is important to pay attention to any changes in the mucous membrane (redness, frequent lacrimation, etc.).

Possible complications

Progression of pathology leads to a violation of the refractive power of the eye. Timely therapy allows for the prevention of strabismus.

Treatment of strabismus

A dangerous complication of astigmatism is amblyopia: the disease develops with illiterate treatment of astigmatism. If there is a strong deformation of the cornea, the retina and optic nerve are damaged.

Diagnostics

The ophthalmologist examines the structure of the eye, reveals refraction. During the procedures, a slit lamp, specialized tools may be required.

1. The visual acuity is checked by the method of visometry.
2. The procedure "Sciascopy" allows you to determine refraction.
3. If necessary, the doctor prescribes refractometry. To perform this procedure, you need to expand the pupils.
4. It is important to establish the type and cause of the disease. If it is suspected that astigmatism is caused by degenerative-dystrophic changes in the cornea, biomicroscopy is required.
5. To study the vitreous body is used ophthalmoscopy. To examine the segments of the eye, it is necessary to conduct ophthalmometry and ultrasound.

   Carrying out Visometry

Treatment

Conservative way

Ocular therapy allows you to correct vision. It is prescribed in the case if astigmatism is diagnosed more than 1 diopter and visual acuity decreases gradually. To correct vision, the doctor prescribes glasses with slightly curved lenses. Often recommended glasses with cylindrical lenses: they help to correct the difference in the refraction of the meridians. For the treatment of pathology, cylindrical or toric lenses can be used.The latter, as a rule, are recommended with a mixed form of astigmatism.

If a patient is diagnosed with a high degree of disease, he will not be able to bear wearing glasses.In other cases, this attribute increases visual acuity. In the beginning, weaker lenses can be chosen, in a few months - stronger ones.In the future the ophthalmologist recommends corrective glasses.Astigmatic glasses are selected taking into account the recommendations of an ophthalmologist.

Toric lenses.

If the patient makes a mistake in the choice, dizziness may occur.

Contact lenses used for astigmatism are reliably fixed on the surface of the eyeball and do not change their position when the body moves.These attributes help increase visual acuity when reading a book, watching TV, working at a computer.At the initial stage of astigmatism, night lenses are recommended.After the appointment of correction tools, consultation of an ophthalmologist is required. Conservative treatment also involves taking vitamins, gymnastics for the eyes.

Night Lenses

Glasses, like lenses, temporarily restore vision. To achieve a stable result, surgery is required.

Surgically

Depending on the stage of the disease, laser correction, implantation of phakic lenses or keratotomy may be required.

Laser correction

If the patient is diagnosed with myopic or mixed astigmatism, a laser correction is prescribed.It is often prescribed with astigmatism 3 - 4 diopters. In the course of the procedure, drip anesthesia is used.The doctor uses a device to separate the corneal layer. The laser evaporates a fragment of the cornea, after which it returns to its original place.

The advantages of such treatment are the absence of stitches and a short rehabilitation period. Epithelium, located at the edge of the fragile fragment, quickly takes root. Vision is improved after 2 hours. Restoration lasts a week. At this time you need to limit physical activity.

Laser surgery

It is important to protect eyes from injury. During the rehabilitation period it is necessary to exclude thermal procedures, to refuse to visit the sauna. Hot baths are prohibited. The doctor appoints antibacterial moisturizing drops, then 5-6 days after the operation, conducts an examination.

Implantation of phakic lenses

If it is impossible to perform laser correction, implantation of phakic lenses is prescribed.Manipulation helps to correct vision and avoid complications of astigmatism. The patient is given a local anesthetic. During the procedure, a special syringe is used: it allows the implant to be inserted into the eye chamber. The surgeon checks how accurately the lens is fixed. Then he injects antibacterial compounds, a bandage is applied over his eyes.

Implantation of phakic lenses rarely gives complications.Among them, cataracts, endophthalmitis, fluctuations in intraocular pressure. Rehabilitation lasts 5 weeks.

Implantation of phakic lenses

During this period the patient is observed by the doctor. After a couple of days after the procedure, you can start ordinary business. With single-chamber implantation, the lens is fixed between the iris. Ophthalmic clips are used for this. The result of the operation is the attachment of the implantable lens to the iris.

It is necessary to ensure the prevention of complications: the doctor prescribes antibacterial agents. A bandage is put on his eyes.Advantages of the procedure - no stitches. Implantation of phakic lenses lasts 15 minutes, but much depends on the complexity of the disease. After the procedure, an examination is carried out. During the rehabilitation period, visual loads should be avoided. Do not be in a temperature differential. It is important to protect eyes from injury. It is forbidden to scratch your eyelids, touch them with dirty hands. From alcohol it is necessary to refuse for a month.In the rehabilitation period, eye drops are prescribed: the patient applies them for 2 weeks.

Keratotomy

Radial keratotomy- a demanded surgical procedure, its carrying out requires regional anesthesia. First, the pupil is labeled. The doctor makes the incisions using a special device. The cornea experiences a certain pressure.Radial keratotomy rarely leads to the development of secondary astigmatism, even less often to depletion and perforation of the organ of vision.

Before the procedure, you need to measure the intraocular pressure and examine the structure of the cornea. The doctor also prescribes biomicroscopy, keratotopography. Preparation depends on the individual characteristics of the body. In the course of manipulation, the doctor applies marks to the center of the pupil, allocates the central zone. The thickness of the cornea is measured, then cuts are made on it. The surface on which the intervention is performed is cleared. Then the intraocular pressure is measured.

As a result of the operation, the peripheral part of the cornea should come out, and the central part - become denser.After the procedure, you must follow certain rules. The doctor prescribes antibacterial agents. Within 3 days the patient takes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Prevention

Observance of elementary rules will protect against the development of astigmatism, they include:

• protection of the eyes from overwork;
• replenishment of vitamin deficiencies;
• dosed mental activity;
• protection of the eyes when working in harmful production;
• timely treatment of diseases (including those that affect the cornea).

Video

conclusions

Astigmatism is treated differently: it all depends on its severity. In the initial stages, spectacle and contact correction give good results. But if the doctor recommends surgery, you need to listen to him!

Pass the test for astigmatism can be at this link. If you notice abnormalities, then consult an ophthalmologist for advice.