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Symptoms

By Mayo Clinic staff

Signs and symptoms of astigmatism may include:

  • Distortion in portions of your visual field
  • Blurred vision
  • Eyestrain
  • Headaches

When to see a doctor
If your quality of vision detracts from your enjoyment of activities or interferes with your ability to perform everyday tasks, see an eye doctor. An eye doctor can determine the degree of your astigmatism and advise you of your options to correct your vision.

If you're a healthy adult older than 40, have your eyes examined about every two to four years until age 65. After age 65, have them checked every one to two years for signs of eye disease or problems. If you have eye problems, such as astigmatism, you may need to have your eyes checked more frequently. If you're at risk of certain eye diseases, such as glaucoma, or you have diabetes, check with your doctor to see how often you need to have your eyes examined.

References
  1. Astigmatism. American Optometric Association. http://www.aoa.org/x4698.xml. Accessed Oct. 27, 2008.
  2. Preferred practice pattern: Comprehensive adult medical eye evaluation. San Francisco, Calif.: American Academy of Ophthalmology. http://one.aao.org/asset.axd?id=6749e4a0-6a09-4795-8f8d-aec60dc937c9. Accessed Oct. 27, 2008.
  3. Abad JC, Azar DT. Current concepts, classification and history of refractive surgery.  In: Yanoff M, et al. Ophthalmology. 2nd ed. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2004. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/108512830-3/764482214/1197/19.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-01634-0..50019-5--cesec5_324. Accessed Oct. 27, 2008.
  4. Preferred practice pattern: Refractive errors and refractive surgery. San Francisco, Calif.: American Academy of Ophthalmology. http://one.aao.org/asset.axd?id=b5e06307-8a97-4675-8174-367ed4eb355b. Accessed Oct. 27, 2008.

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Jan. 17, 2009

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