Astigmatism is a refractive error that affects millions of people worldwide. It occurs when the eye lens or cornea is not well-rounded. It causes blurred vision, headaches, and eyestrain. 

A thorough astigmatism examination helps detect and treat this condition. It entails a series of tests that evaluate the curvature of the cornea and the clarity of vision. 

History and Symptoms
 

The first step of a thorough astigmatism examination is to take a detailed medical history. Your eye doctor will ask about any symptoms you may be experiencing. It entails questions about any family history of eye problems, past eye surgeries or injuries, and current medications that may affect your vision. The doctor will ask about any symptoms you may be experiencing, such as:
 

• Eyestrain

• Double vision

• Blurry vision

Visual Acuity Test

Visual acuity is among the most common tests performed during an astigmatism examination. It entails reading letters from an eye chart at 20 feet. The patient covers one eye at a time while the doctor determines the line of letters you can read accurately. The test measures how well you can see objects and distance and often helps diagnose refractive errors such as astigmatism.

Refraction Test 

The refraction test determines the exact prescription you need to correct your astigmatism. During the examination, your doctor will ask you to look through a phoropter, a device containing lenses of different strengths. Your doctor will ask you to indicate which lenses make your vision clear. They will repeat this process until they determine your optimal prescription.

Keratometry

Keratometry is a test that measures the cornea’s curvature. The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped outer surface of the eye. During the examination, your doctor will use a keratometer to measure the curvature of your cornea. The information helps determine the degree of astigmatism and helps select the appropriate lens to correct the condition.

Corneal Topography
 

Your eye doctor may evaluate the shape and curvature of your cornea through corneal topography. The test uses a unique instrument that projects a series of rings onto your cornea and measures how they get reflected. The information helps create a three-dimensional map of your cornea, which can help identify irregularities that may contribute to astigmatism.

Pupil Dilation

Your doctor may recommend pupil dilation to view the back of your eye. During the procedure, eye drops help widen the pupil, allowing your eye specialist to examine your retina and optic nerve more closely. The test helps detect eye diseases and conditions contributing to your astigmatism.

Comprehensive Eye Exam

Your eye doctor may recommend a comprehensive eye exam as part of a thorough astigmatism examination. The exam entails tests to evaluate the overall health of your eyes. It includes tests for glaucoma, cataracts, and other eye diseases. Regular eye exams help ensure early detection and treatment of eye problems, including astigmatism. Patients can enjoy clearer vision by detecting and treating astigmatism early.

For more about astigmatism examination, visit Frisco Eye Clinic & Williams Eye Care at our office in Frisco or Fairview, Texas. Call (972) 335-9529 or (972) 549-4255 to book an appointment today.