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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Astigmatism?

I wear glasses and have since age 5 for lazy eye (L) and astigmatism and not sure what else. For the past year I have been experiencing problems with my left eye when trying to read at varying distances. Right now for example I can not clearly read the keyboard to type. The right eye seems to be more powerfulwhile the left one feels like it wants to go outward instead of inward like it used to from the begining(before glasses) and feel like a slight pressure is on it pushing in. I have had my eyes checked 3 times since this started. I was even prescribed lenses with prisms in BOTH lenses which were very expensive and did not work. What should my next course of action be as in what type of dr., tests, etc.
Wed, 3 Jun 2015
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Pathologist and Microbiologist 's  Response
Hello and welcome to HCM,
Astigmatism is a refractive error of eyes leading to defective vision.
Astigmatism is caused by uneven surface of cornea.
Astigmatism is difficult to manage because the cornea has different refractive capacity due to its unevenness.
Small degree of astigmatism can be corrected by simple glasses but higher degree of astigmatism requires semi-soft contact lenses.
These semi-soft contact lenses smooth-en the irregular surface of corneas.
Wearing these contact lens is slightly uncomfortable and regular sessions are required to make the eye accustomed to them.
I suggest you to consult an ophthalmologist for further management.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri
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What Causes Astigmatism?

Hello and welcome to HCM, Astigmatism is a refractive error of eyes leading to defective vision. Astigmatism is caused by uneven surface of cornea. Astigmatism is difficult to manage because the cornea has different refractive capacity due to its unevenness. Small degree of astigmatism can be corrected by simple glasses but higher degree of astigmatism requires semi-soft contact lenses. These semi-soft contact lenses smooth-en the irregular surface of corneas. Wearing these contact lens is slightly uncomfortable and regular sessions are required to make the eye accustomed to them. I suggest you to consult an ophthalmologist for further management. Thanks and take care Dr Shailja Puri