Does Astigmatism Get Worse Over Time? Typical Progression Patterns

Understanding the Progression of Astigmatism Over Time

Astigmatism is an imperfection in the curvature of the eye's lens or cornea that leads to distorted, blurry vision. It is a common vision condition that affects people of all ages. Those diagnosed often wonder - does astigmatism get worse?

In most cases, the degree of astigmatism remains stable over a person's lifetime. However, natural changes in the eyes as we age can cause subtle shifts in the severity of astigmatism for some people. Understanding the typical progression helps properly manage this condition long-term.

Causes and Types of Astigmatism

First, astigmatism arises in the eye from birth or develops later in life due to various factors that alter the shape of the cornea and lens.

Congenital Astigmatism

Some babies are simply born with oddly curved corneas or lenses leading to visual distortions. Genetics play a role, as the condition runs in families. Congenital astigmatism detected early usually remains static rather than worsening significantly.

Acquired Astigmatism

Often astigmatism forms later, acquired from injury, surgery, disease or aging changes:

• Corneal injuries and infections
• Corneal transplant surgery
• Cataract surgery
• Keratoconus disease
• Contact lens overwear
• Aging changes in the lens and cornea

The two main classifications include:

Regular Astigmatism

With regular astigmatism, light focuses at two points along one axis due to asymmetry. Images stretch vertically, horizontally or diagonally depending on the axis.

Irregular Astigmatism

Here light scatters across multiple focal points rather than two distinct ones. This arises after trauma, surgery or disease. Images appear quite distorted with uneven, wavy visual zones.

Typical Progression Patterns

Understanding how the different types of astigmatism progress gives us clues to long term outlooks and management.

Congenital Astigmatism Persistence

Present from birth, congenital astigmatism typically persists lifelong at a steady degree barring trauma or surgery. Regular screening every year or two monitors for any changes. Vision correction balances out the distorted shape.

Acquired Astigmatism Fluctuations

Astigmatism acquired from external factors like injuries or procedures often fluxes more over time. As wounds heal and tissues remodel, the cornea and lens stabilize into more permanent shapes over months.

However, the risk of increasing astigmatism continues with additional procedures down the road. Cataract surgery, for example, induces astigmatism changes in over half of patients during the months following the operation.

Aging Change Gradual Onset Astigmatism

Finally, natural changes in eye anatomy slowly emerge with older age. The cornea flattens and the lens stiffens over decades, leading to subtle vision changes. Patients may notice gradual onset astigmatism symptoms starting in their 40s, 50s and 60s.

This mild astigmatism tends to increase very slowly over many years. Routine screening assesses when vision correction requires adjustment for optimal seeing.

Factors Promoting Astigmatism Progression

Does astigmatism get worse faster depending on individual circumstances? Sometimes yes.

Certain injuries, diseases and lifestyle choices accelerate abnormal shaping of eye tissues leading to worsening astigmatism.

Eye Injuries and Surgeries

Penetrating wounds, significant blunt injuries, corneal abrasions and chemical burns cause structural damage. Repeated eye surgeries further weaken the cornea and lens architecture over time.

Eye Diseases

Ongoing conditions like keratoconus thin the cornea as enzymes break down its collagen matrix. Uncontrolled inflammation alters internal eye anatomy. Vision drops off rapidly without disease-modifying treatment.

Contact Lens Overwear

Old school contact lens materials and wearing lenses overnight stresses the cornea over time. Swelling, oxygen deprivation and micro-tears change the corneal curvature, worsening astigmatism and vision.

Sun Exposure

Chronic UV light exposure generates destructive free radicals inside the eye over time. This accelerates aging changes like astigmatism earlier than normal. Sunglasses prevent excess sunlight damage.

Poor Blood Sugar Control

Diabetes mellitus disrupts the microcirculation keeping eye tissues healthy. Fluctuating blood sugars degrade collagen fibers and other structural components.

Medications

Various prescription eye drop medications list astigmatism progression as a side effect. Topical corticosteroids, in particular, may raise inner eye pressure and alter corneal shape with long-term use.

Protective Factors Against Worsening

While some influences drive astigmatism progression, other factors help stabilize it long-term or slow deterioration rate. Protective elements include:

Vision Correction

Compensating for astigmatic distortions using glasses or contact lenses allows clear, focused images into the eye. This prevents abnormal vision signaling between the cornea, lens and brain during development.

Prompt Injury Care

Seeking emergency medical treatment after eye trauma minimizes permanent damage promoting better healing. Doctors also adjust medications accelerating astigmatism as able.

Surgery Technologies

Advanced surgical techniques like laser-assisted cataract removal reduce astigmatism complications compared to manual, blade surgery. Stable corneal transplants rely on precision trephination devices.

Disease Modification Therapy

Emerging treatment options address astigmatism-causing diseases at their molecular source not just the vision level. Keratoconus often responds well to corneal collagen cross-linking for example.

Healthy Lifestyles

Reducing exposure to astigmatism risk factors boosts eye resilience. Quitting smoking, wearing sunglasses outside, stabilizing blood sugars and regular eye exams help offset deterioration.

Signs Astigmatism Is Getting Worse

Routine comprehensive eye exams detect subtle astigmatism changes over time before vision suffers. However, worsening astigmatism also announces itself through increasing symptoms:

• More eyestrain, headaches, fatigue doing visual tasks
• Difficulty seeing screens, signs further away
• Blurred vision fluctuates day-to-day
• Halos and starbursts around lights at night
• Squinting, tilting head to see
• Vision no longer clear with current prescription

Tracking symptoms provides insight between eye exams. Keeping an astigmatism diary also compares severity week-to-week.

Retesting Vision

When worsening astigmatism is suspected, make a prompt eye exam appointment. Updated measurements and prescriptions prevent visually falling behind.

Reassessing vision requires:

• Visual acuity test
• Refraction test
• Lens prescription check
• Corneal topography
• Eye health evaluation

New correction glasses or contacts regain clear sight unless a complication requires treatment first.

Long Term Astigmatism Management

Successfully managing astigmatism long-term, whether stable or progressive, relies on several key strategies:

Consistent Vision Correction

Wearing prescribed eyewear, contacts or implanted toric lenses offsets distorted astigmatic images. Interrupt correction minimizes eye signaling imbalance.

Prompt Evaluation of Changes

Notice and communicate vision changes at regular eye exams. Small tweaks to prescriptions prevent major deficits requiring rehabilitation.

Protect Eye Health

Shield eyes from injury, sunlight, infection and toxicity. Control diseases like diabetes impacting tissues. Promote good collagen integrity and blood flow.

Explore Advanced Treatments

Consider newer medical and surgical interventions to reshape the cornea or lens if astigmatism progresses despite usual care. Coordinate specialty ophthalmology care.

The Takeaway

Does astigmatism get worse over time?

While congenital cases remain more stable, astigmatism acquired from injuries, surgery and aging demonstrates greater fluctuations long-term. Protecting vulnerable eye tissues reduces deterioration risk.

Tracking vision changes promptly identifies when prescription adjustments become necessary again. Following healthy eye habits safeguards sight overall against progressive distortion.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.