Can children's astigmatism be cured?

One day, a parent rushed into the optometry department's office in a hurry, "I never let my child watch mobile phones or TV, and he often goes outdoors, so why does he have astigmatism?" I believe this is also the frustration of many parents. No matter how hard you try, astigmatism is harder to prevent than myopia! What is this astigmatism? Can it be cured? Director Fu Chengbin of the optometry department of Dongguan Aier Eye Hospital shared some scientific knowledge:

Myopia ≠ Astigmatism

What is astigmatism?

Astigmatism refers to the situation where parallel light rays, after being refracted by the eye's refractive system, do not converge into a single point, but instead become many scattered light images, forming unclear or overlapping images.

Many adults may not understand the difference between astigmatism and myopia:

Myopia: Clear vision at close range, blurry vision at far distance;
Astigmatism: The edges of objects are blurred and there are double images when looking at them, and you cannot see clearly at all distances or near.

Compared to myopia

Astigmatism is harder to detect

Astigmatism is mostly congenital, due to congenital abnormal development of the cornea, and is generally difficult to detect. Once a child's eyes have abnormal reactions to objects, the astigmatism is often very high. Acquired inverted eyelashes, frequent eye rubbing, corneal lesions such as keratitis and conjunctivitis, etc., which are not treated in time, can also cause astigmatism.

Friendly reminder

If your child shows symptoms of astigmatism (such as visual fatigue, blurred vision, decreased vision, and habitual squinting when tilting the head and neck), take him or her to a professional ophthalmology medical institution for examination in a timely manner.

Child's astigmatism

Can I not wear glasses?

Astigmatism can be divided into different types according to the degree:

Low astigmatism: less than 100 degrees

Moderate astigmatism: 100-200 degrees

Severe astigmatism: 200-300 degrees

High astigmatism: ≥300 degrees

Director Fucheng Bin of the Optometry Department of Dongguan Aier Eye Hospital recommends: If the astigmatism is ≥ 100 degrees, it is recommended to wear glasses for correction. If the astigmatism is less than 100 degrees but it obviously affects the vision and visual function, it is also recommended to wear glasses. Some parents may wonder, can children with astigmatism not wear glasses? You should know that if you do not pay attention to astigmatism, it may cause the following problems:

Causes amblyopia: Children are in a sensitive period of visual development. Astigmatism causes blurred images on the retina. This optical defocus produces form deprivation, which in turn leads to amblyopia in children.

Accelerated myopia: The more unclear a child’s vision is, the more he or she likes to squint. Continuous and tense eye adjustment can easily cause visual fatigue and more easily induce myopia.

Causes diplopia: Astigmatism occurs because the light entering the eye is not on the same axis through the different positions of the cornea and lens, which may cause diplopia in severe cases.

Astigmatism cannot be reversed

Early detection and correction

Astigmatism cannot be reversed. Once a child is found to have astigmatism, it is important to detect and correct it as early as possible to reduce the risk of astigmatism causing other vision problems. It is recommended that a refractive development record be established from birth, vision tests be conducted regularly, vision problems of the child be tracked, and consultation with an ophthalmologist be sought in a timely manner.

So, what are the methods for correcting astigmatism?

1. Frame glasses:

Suitable for people with regular astigmatism and lower degrees

Before wearing glasses, you need to go to a professional ophthalmology hospital for an eye test. After understanding the nature and degree of astigmatism, you can get fitted with appropriate astigmatism frame glasses.

2. RGP contact lenses

Suitable for people with irregular astigmatism

Ordinary frame glasses cannot correct irregular astigmatism. Compared with frame glasses, RGP corneal contact lenses are worn directly on the cornea, which can greatly reduce aberrations and the degree of distortion of objects and improve image quality.

3. Myopia Correction Surgery

Suitable for people over 18 years old and with astigmatism within 600 degrees

Astigmatism is a type of refractive error. Generally speaking, as long as the age and eye conditions are met, astigmatism below 600 degrees can be considered for surgical correction.