What Is Astigmatism?
First, it helps to understand exactly what astigmatism is and how it impacts eyesight.
Astigmatism results from an irregular curvature of the front surface of the eye – the cornea. Instead of being perfectly spherical like a ball, astigmatic corneas have slight “football” shaping with more curves in some directions than others.
This uneven optical surface leads light rays to focus at more than one spot on the back of the eye rather than a single sharp point. The end result is distorted and blurry vision at all distances.
Types of Astigmatism
Two main classifications define the orientation of the abnormal corneal curve:
With-the-Rule (WTR) Astigmatism
Most common, the vertical or 180-degree meridian of the cornea demonstrates the greatest curvature.
Against-the-Rule (ATR) Astigmatism
The 90-degree horizontal corneal meridian has greater curving.
Ophthalmologists also assess the severity of blurring and classify astigmatism as mild, moderate or high based on optical measurements.
What Causes Astigmatism?
The defective shaping that leads to astigmatism often relates to genetics and early eye development. But environmental factors and aging can provoke it or make it progress over time as well.
Genetic Predisposition
The structure of corneal tissue has a genetic blueprint just like other body parts. Inheriting irregular curvatures makes developing astigmatism more likely later in life.
Birth Defects
Developmental defects affecting corneal formation in utero put babies at high risk for pronounced astigmatism detected in early childhood.
Aging Changes
The cornea can lose symmetry and take on more distorted shaping with advanced age due to changes in collagen and tissue loss.
Eye Surgery
Incisions made during operations like cataract removal or LASIK healing unevenly can induce astigmatic irregularities.
Keratoconus
This progressive thinning condition deforms corneal structure over time, often resulting in irregular steepening and severe astigmatism.
Corneal Scarring
Injuries, infections and inflammation involving corneal scars alter the smooth optical surface needed for clear vision.
Eyelid Conditions
Issues like uncontrolled blepharitis, inflammation and meibomian gland dysfunction disturb the tear film. This can gradually provoke corneal irregularities.
So where does the habit of rubbing your eyes come into play among these common astigmatism causes?
Can Rubbing Your Eyes Cause Astigmatism?
There currently isn’t solid clinical evidence that rubbing your eyes can singlehandedly cause astigmatism if you maintain an otherwise healthy ocular surface and tear film.
However, several theoretical mechanisms provide reasons why chronic, excessive eye rubbing could contribute to development of irregular corneal curvature over time:
Mechanical Trauma
Forceful rubbing essentially inflicts physical trauma directly on delicate corneal tissue. Repeated friction could provoke remodeling.
Tear Film Disruption
Vigorously disturbing the tear layer could impede its crucial functions protecting and nourishing the cornea long-term.
Inflammation Triggers
Rubbing also elicits inflammation. Chronic and severe, this could spur corneal surface or eyelid conditions.
Therefore, while not a directly proven singular cause, frequent forceful eye rubbing seems reasonably linked to eventual vision blurring in those genetically predisposed.
Can Rubbing Your Eyes Make Existing Astigmatism Worse?
According to ophthalmologists and optometrists, the answer here appears to be a definite yes.
For those already dealing with diagnosed astigmatism, the habitual motion of eye rubbing can exacerbate current symptoms and progression when done forcefully and chronically.
Aggravating Corneal Distortions
Adding repetitive friction and pressure to an already irregular corneal surface aggravates malformations and thinning.
Disrupting Tear Drainage
Vigorously disturbing delicate meibomian glands and ducts of the eyelids interrupts normal tear drainage flow, putting renewed stress on corneal health.
Triggering Inflammation
As mentioned above, eye rubbing kickstarts ocular surface inflammation. Left unchecked, this can spur tissue changes that worsen astigmatism severity.
Therefore, abstaining from forceful, habitual eye rubbing proves important for minimizing advancement of corneal irregularity severity if you already have vision distortion from astigmatism.
Warning Signs Your Astigmatism is Getting Worse
Catching astigmatism progression in early stages allows quicker intervention to protect sight. Keep an eye out for these key signs your vision irregularities are worsening:
Difficulty Seeing Details
Fine details look increasingly fuzzy and difficult to focus on even with corrective eyewear lens upgrades.
Worsening Night Vision
Halos, starbursts and glare around lights seem amplified at night or in dark conditions.
Strain and Fatigue
You suffer worse eyestrain, headaches or fatigue doing visual tasks that previously seemed easy.
Off Prescription
Your current lenses no longer provide crisp sight, signaling an exam is due to check for new corneal irregularity measurements.
Catching progression early allows steps to minimize advancing damage through methods like specialty contact lens fitting or cross-linking treatment.
Can Astigmatism Be Cured or Reversed?
There currently exists no complete “cure” for astigmatism. The defective shaping causing the blurred vision cannot be reversed back to a perfectly spherical cornea once developed.
However, the symptoms disrupting sight can be effectively managed through corrective treatments to minimize distortion and eyestrain:
Prescription Eyeglasses
Specialty lenses calibrated to your specific corneal measurements help maximize seeing ability.
Contact Lenses
Rigid gas permeable (RGP) or soft toric lenses also correct curvature issues when fitted by an optometrist.
Refractive Surgery
Astigmatism reduction (AK) methods like limbal relaxing incisions done alongside LASIK can greatly reduce dependence on glasses or contacts.
While astigmatism itself has no definitive “cure,” keeping symptoms controlled through properly corrected vision represents the next best scenario.
Preventing Astigmatism Progression
Catching astigmatism early and taking proactive steps minimizes continued worsening down the road. These key prevention tips help safeguard your ocular health:
Stop Eye Rubbing
As discussed extensively, abstaining from chronic, excessive eye rubbing prevents mechanical trauma that could worsen irregular corneal curvature over time.
Upgrade Eyeglasses
Having your prescription checked annually catches advancing distortion early for lens correction updates.
Care for Contact Lenses
If wearing contacts, closely follow wearing schedule, solution cleaning, and replacement guidelines to avoid corneal irritation.
Treat Eyelid Conditions
Properly managing inflamed eyelid margins or blepharitis helps stabilize the tear film crucial for corneal protection.
Wear Protective Eyewear
UV-blocking sunglasses and protective sports goggles shield eyes from outdoor injury risks exacerbating astigmatism issues.
Committing to healthy vision habits offers your best odds of halting existing astigmatism severity in its tracks.
Seeing Clearly With Astigmatism Management
Astigmatism itself cannot currently be reversed or fully cured once corneal curvature irregularities develop. However, correcting functional vision issues with eyewear allows clear sight and prevents strain.
Implementing protective habits like abstaining from vigorous eye rubbing can also help halt gradual worsening to maintain correction levels long-term. With diligent management, astigmatism doesn’t have to mean a lifetime of distorted vision.
FAQs
Can rubbing your eyes when you're tired actually cause astigmatism?
There's no definitive evidence that rubbing alone causes astigmatism. But chronic vigorous rubbing may contribute to corneal changes leading to blurred vision over time in those genetically predisposed.
Why does rubbing my eyes make my vision with astigmatism worse?
Rubbing can worsen existing corneal irregularities, disrupt tear film health, and trigger inflammation - all mechanisms that can increase blurring and symptoms of astigmatism.
If I stop rubbing my eyes, could my astigmatism get better?
Halting eye rubbing cannot reverse existing corneal irregularities. But ceasing this friction prevents worsening distortion to help keep your current prescription stable longer.
Can astigmatism ever be cured completely?
There is currently no way to permanently reverse astigmatism once corneal structural changes develop. But management with corrective eyewear and healthy vision habits can maximize clarity.
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.
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