Astigmatism near Chicago, IL

A healthy cornea is shaped like a smooth, round ball. In some individuals, the cornea is abnormally shaped or curved like a football, which is known as called astigmatism. This is a very common condition that causes the cornea (the clear window over the front of your eye) or lens to bend light in the wrong direction so that it does not enter the retina correctly. Patients with astigmatism may have nearsightedness (myopic astigmatism), farsightedness (hyperopic astigmatism), or both (mixed astigmatism). Astigmatism is either an inherited condition, or occurs from an injury or disease. If you have symptoms of astigmatism, contact Kirk Eye Center in River Forest or Gurnee, IL to schedule an appointment for an eye exam. Our highly trained ocular care team has years of experience diagnosing and treating this condition.

The most common symptoms of astigmatism are recurring headaches and eye strain (particularly after reading or looking at a screen), as well as blurry or distorted vision, nearsightedness, and farsightedness. In children, the visual impairments associated with astigmatism are sometimes mistaken for a learning disability. After an exam at Kirk Eye Center, we will be able to properly diagnose you or your child and provide the best vision correction options.

Astigmatism occurs when the cornea or lens is not totally round but is shaped more like an egg or a football. This causes light to refract the wrong way onto the retina. Patients are typically born with a genetic predisposition to the condition, but it can also occur as a result of a disease or trauma.

During your appointment at Kirk Eye Center, we will review your medical history and perform a comprehensive eye examination to determine the type of astigmatism you have. We will also go over treatment choices to improve your eyesight, including eyeglasses and contacts. For patients who prefer a long-term solution without glasses or contacts, laser vision correction surgery (such as LASIK or PRK) may be an option if you are a candidate.

If you have noticed problems seeing clearly, along with headaches and eye strain, you could have astigmatism. At Kirk Eye Center, our professional and experienced team offers testing and treatment options to improve your vision. We invite you to contact our office in River Forest or Gurnee, IL to learn more and schedule an eye exam.