Astigmatism in Sioux Falls, SD

Astigmatism is a very common refractive error that is determined by the shape of your cornea. It can be present at birth (regular astigmatism) or caused by trauma or disease (irregular astigmatism). When the cornea is oblong versus round (think football vs. basketball shape), it prevents light from properly focusing on the retina, causing blurred vision. When left untreated, astigmatism can lead to eye fatigue, squinting, pain behind the eye, headaches, and migraines. The team at ART Vision, led by board-certified ophthalmologist Dr. Alison R. Tendler, is skilled to diagnose and treat astigmatism through a variety of proven and effective options that will address your symptoms and help you see with more clarity. In fact, astigmatism is one of her favorite eye conditions to treat.  If you have been diagnosed with astigmatism or are experiencing symptoms that could be associated with the condition, schedule an appointment at our Sioux Falls, SD facility today for a comprehensive examination and discussion of your surgical vision correction options.

Because astigmatism is often combined with nearsightedness and/or farsightedness, the symptoms associated with the condition could vary greatly. Some of the most common symptoms of astigmatism include:

• Double, shadowed, distorted, or blurred vision
• Inability to see nearby items and objects clearly
• Inability to see far-off items and objects clearly
• Eye strain
• Squinting
• Frequent headaches

In most cases, a patient is born with astigmatism. However, injury and disease can sometimes cause the condition to develop later in a patient's life. Generally speaking, the most common cause of astigmatism is simply a more curved, or oblong,  shape to the cornea. 

After a thorough eye examination and diagnostic testing, a member of our ART Vision team will help you understand your vision condition and work to create a surgical treatment plan based upon your individual lifestyle, with the goal of decreasing your dependence upon glasses or contact lenses. Dr. Tendler will personally meet with you to discuss multiple effective and long-term solutions including the laser vision correction procedures LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) and PRK (photorefractive keratectomy). At ART Vision, we also proudly offer specialized implants designed to reduce or eliminate your astigmatism, such as ICLs (implantable contact lenses), RLE (refractive lens exchange), and/or cataract surgery .  All of these are highly effective options for the treatment of common refractive errors, such as astigmatism.

It is a common misperception that someone cannot have refractive surgery if they have astigmatism, or that it cannot be surgically treated.  This is simply not true.  In fact, there are great treatment options for astigmatism depending upon its amount and type, and your age, eye health, and visual lifestyle goals.  If you are wearing glasses or contact lenses for your astigmatism and desire clearer vision and reduced dependence from them, contact our Sioux Falls, SD facility today to schedule a visit and learn about which customized surgical plan could work best for you.  At ART Vision, we want to help restore your vision so you can See the World Better and See Yourself Better.