Have you ever noticed strange beams of light radiating from common light sources, making them appear almost magical? If you’ve ever wondered about these brilliant rays, you probably belong to a rare group of people who suffer from astigmatism. This common eye ailment can add magic to your visual world by bending light and producing the individual beams you’ve been seeing.
The Mysterious Light Beams
Whether it’s early in the morning or late at night, over one-third of Americans experience visual discomforts such as squinting for clarity, headaches, night vision problems, and hazy vision.1 The latter symptom, hazy vision, can produce the interesting beams of light you’ve seen. For example, a compelling image uploaded on Reddit depicts these light beams emanating from multiple light sources in a room, resembling something out of a science fiction film.
This intriguing graphic depicts what people with astigmatism frequently encounter while looking at light sources. The effect is caused by astigmatism, a condition in which the cornea (the clear front layer of the eyeball) or the lens of the eye is not the same shape as the normal, perfectly round eye.
Individuals with astigmatism have extended oval or American football-shaped eyes, as opposed to normal eyes, which are perfectly round. While moderate astigmatism may not create any visible symptoms, the irregular shape of the lens or cornea caused by the disorder can bend light as it enters the eye, resulting in a refractive error.
What is astigmatism?
Astigmatism is a common eye ailment that can result in blurred or distorted vision. It happens when the cornea or lens of the eye has an unusual shape, causing light to bend differently when it enters.2 The specific cause of astigmatism is unknown, and there is no certain way to prevent it. Some people are born with it; others develop it throughout childhood or early adulthood. It can also result from an eye injury or surgery.
Recognizing Astigmatism
The most common symptoms of astigmatism include:
- Blurry Vision
- Needing to Squint for Clarity
- Headaches
- Eye Strain
- Trouble Seeing at Night
Diagnosing astigmatism
An eye examination by a skilled optometrist or ophthalmologist is the only way to identify whether or not you have astigmatism. During the examination, the eye doctor may do a variety of tests, such as reading from an eye chart, testing your vision using a device known as a ‘phoropter,’ or using tools such as an autorefractor and a keratometer to evaluate the curve of your cornea. These tests help to accurately diagnose astigmatism.
Managing Astigmatism
If you are diagnosed with astigmatism, you can rest confident that it is a treatable condition. The primary therapeutic options are:
- Eyeglasses: Your eye doctor will prescribe glasses with specially developed lenses to correct the refractive defect. These glasses can dramatically enhance your eyesight and alleviate problems.
- Contact Lenses: If you don’t want to wear glasses, you can use contact lenses instead. Soft contact lenses are offered for astigmatism and can improve eyesight.
- Surgery: In more severe cases or when people want a permanent remedy, surgery may be considered. Surgical techniques can restructure the cornea so that it can properly focus light.
