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The holiday season brings lots of light — both figuratively and literally. From festive outdoor displays to flickering candles to gleaming trees, there’s twinkling lights everywhere you turn.
If you’ve noticed that lights appear blurry or streaky, especially at night, you may wonder if you have a vision problem like astigmatism. While this may be the case, it’s not the only thing that can cause lights to appear hazy.
At Wolcott Optical, we understand the importance of educating our customers about common vision problems like astigmatism. Our goal is to equip you with the knowledge you need to make informed decisions about which vision solutions would best suit your needs.
If you’re concerned about your eye health this holiday season, keep reading to learn more about the possible causes of blurry lights and what you can do to improve your vision.
What Is Astigmatism?
Astigmatism is a common refractive error caused by irregular curvature of the eye’s cornea or lens. In addition to blurred or distorted vision, it can lead to eye strain, headaches, and difficulty seeing at night.
This common condition can affect people of all ages and often occurs in combination with farsightedness or nearsightedness. It can be present from birth or develop later in life.
Why Lights Appear Blurry or Distorted with Astigmatism
When the cornea or lens is irregularly shaped, it prevents light from focusing properly on the retina. This leads to visual distortions, including halos, glare, or streaks around lights.
People with astigmatism often have difficulty driving at night, as the streetlights and headlights can turn their vision into a bleary mess. They may also experience discomfort in brightly lit environments, including holiday light displays.
Other Possible Causes of Blurry Lights
While astigmatism is often responsible for blurry lights, it’s not the only possible cause. Other potential causes include:
- Myopia (nearsightedness)
- Hyperopia (farsightedness)
- Dry eyes or cataracts
- Glare sensitivity unrelated to refractive errors
If you’re struggling with blurry lights, it’s important to visit your eye doctor for an accurate diagnosis. They can assess the curvature of your eyes and determine whether astigmatism or another condition is the cause of your symptoms.
Solutions for Astigmatism
Fortunately, there is hope for individuals with astigmatism. Corrective solutions include:
Eyeglasses
Prescription eyeglasses can help correct light refraction onto the retina, counteracting the irregular cornea or lens and alleviating blurriness. They are relatively affordable and easy to adapt to, making them a popular choice.
Over-the-counter reading glasses are not effective for correcting astigmatism. Eyeglasses for astigmatism require special cylindrical lenses rather than spherical ones. Because of this, you’ll see CYL and Axis numbers on your prescription in addition to the standard information.
Contact Lenses
Toric contact lenses work similarly to cylindrical eyeglass lenses. While standard contact lenses are spherical, toric contact lenses are shaped like a thin slice from the side of a donut. Their unique shape compensates for the eye’s irregular cornea or lens.
These contacts have a particular orientation, which means they need to stay in place. They may have zones that are thicker or thinner than others, be truncated at the bottom, or ballasted to prevent slipping and maintain visual clarity.
Other Solutions
In severe cases, LASIK or other refractive surgeries may be necessary. Your eye doctor can assess whether surgical intervention is necessary.
Lifestyle adjustments to reduce eye strain can also help. Being mindful about your screen time, avoiding reading in low light, and taking frequent breaks are effective strategies for avoiding eye strain.
For more information about eye strain, check out these previous blog posts:
- Do Glasses Help Prevent Eye Strain?
- Tired Eyes? 6 Useful Things You Can Do To Help Eye Fatigue
- Are E-Readers Bad for Your Eyesight?
- Computer Vision Syndrome: How Much Screen Time Is Okay For Your Eyes?
- Does Reading in the Dark Harm Your Eyes?
- 5 Eye Problems Linked To Stress
- Blue Light: The Impact Of Digital Eye Strain
Quality Vision Solutions at Wolcott Optical
At Wolcott Optical, we’re dedicated to helping you find the right vision solutions for astigmatism. With a combination of advanced lens technology and stylish frames, blurry lights and eye strain will be a thing of the past. Imagine how wonderful it will be when you can finally enjoy a dazzling holiday light display as it’s meant to be seen!
Visit our store in Millcreek, Utah, to explore cutting-edge solutions tailored to your unique vision needs.
