How to Treat Astigmatism
Jun 29, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Chen You
Introduction
Mild astigmatism does not affect vision and generally requires no treatment. Astigmatism can be corrected with eyeglasses (spectacles). For adolescents or patients who require short-term use or frequent parameter adjustments during treatment, eyeglasses are recommended. Astigmatism can be corrected using cylindrical lenses; if full correction is not achievable, a lower prescription may be used initially.
Astigmatism is caused by abnormal curvature of the refractive surfaces of the eye. Once it develops, astigmatism can lead to symptoms such as reduced visual acuity, visual fatigue, headache, and eye pain. If left untreated, the condition may progressively worsen, resulting in more serious complications—including potential blindness. So, how is astigmatism treated?
How to Treat Astigmatism
Mild astigmatism typically does not affect vision and generally requires no treatment. Correction is commonly achieved with eyeglasses (spectacles). For adolescents or patients who require short-term use or frequent parameter adjustments during treatment, eyeglasses are recommended. Regular (regular) astigmatism can be corrected using cylindrical lenses. If full correction is not tolerated initially, a lower prescription may be prescribed first, followed by gradual increases in power over time. Irregular astigmatism, which cannot be adequately corrected with cylindrical lenses, may be managed with rigid gas-permeable (RGP) contact lenses. Surgical options for correcting astigmatism include corneal laser surgery (e.g., LASIK or PRK), limbal relaxing incisions (LRI), and implantation of toric intraocular lenses (IOLs).
In daily life, patients should consume foods rich in lutein and vitamins, which benefit eyes affected by astigmatism. Examples include blueberries, kiwifruit, apples, pears, bananas, spinach, celery, Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa), shepherd’s purse, oats, carrots, and zucchini—all of which contain abundant vitamins and lutein and offer significant benefits. Patients may also moderately consume nuts such as peanuts, walnuts, and almonds, as these are rich in amino acids and unsaturated fatty acids—nutrients that are likewise beneficial for managing astigmatism.
Patients are advised to avoid excessive eye strain. Incorporating lutein-rich foods into the daily diet is also recommended. We hope this information proves helpful to you.
