What should I do about 200 degrees of astigmatism in my left eye?

Failure to develop and maintain healthy eye habits in daily life can easily lead to ocular diseases. Astigmatism and strabismus are two very common eye conditions. Patients with astigmatism often experience significant blurriness when viewing objects, a symptom also frequently observed in individuals with strabismus. Consequently, many people mistakenly believe that strabismus is the same as astigmatism. So, what should one do if diagnosed with 200-degree astigmatism in the left eye?

What to Do for 200-Degree Astigmatism in the Left Eye

Astigmatism of 200 degrees in the left eye requires correction. Primary symptoms include blurred vision at both near and far distances; visual tasks may trigger dizziness, headache, nausea, and general discomfort. Patients may also experience photophobia (light sensitivity) when outdoors. Once astigmatism develops, corrective intervention is essential. The primary method is wearing prescription eyeglasses (spectacles). Alternatively, contact lenses may be considered. For those unwilling to wear either spectacles or contact lenses, refractive laser surgery is another viable option.

Laser surgery must be performed only after reaching adulthood—i.e., age 18 or older—and only if myopia or astigmatism has remained stable (with no significant progression) over the preceding two years. Candidates must undergo rigorous preoperative evaluation; only those meeting all surgical eligibility criteria should proceed with the procedure. While 200-degree astigmatism in the left eye is generally considered mild, adolescents with this condition should be closely monitored for amblyopia (lazy eye), a potential complication. Clinically, astigmatism is highly prevalent and primarily results from asymmetrical curvature of the cornea along different meridians, causing light rays to focus at multiple points rather than a single point on the retina—hence the term “astigmatism.”

Patients are generally advised to undergo optical correction with appropriately prescribed glasses to improve visual acuity and prevent amblyopia. We hope this information proves helpful to you.