Mr Andrew Feyi-Waboso
Ophthalmologist
- Eye clinic
- Self-pay/Insured
Astigmatism assessment
Astigmatism is a common eye condition that causes blurry or distorted vision.
At St Joseph’s Hospital, our eye consultants (ophthalmologists) can provide you with a comprehensive eye examination to test for astigmatism, and then talk you through the different treatment options available to you.
What is astigmatism?
The normal shape of the front surface of the human eye is smooth and round.
Light enters the eye through the cornea (the clear surface covering the front of the eye) and passes through the pupil. Upon reaching the lens of the eye, the light is focused onto a particular part of the nerve layer lining the back of the eye, known as the retina.
The retina converts the light into an electrical signal and then sends it via the optical nerve to the brain for visual processing.
When the front of the eye is shaped normally, the cornea and lens focus light correctly onto the retina, leading to a sharp, clear image being seen.
While a regularly-shaped eye resembles the shape of a football, a person with astigmatism will have the front surface of the eye shaped more like a rugby ball, with an irregularity in the cornea.
This change in the shape of the cornea alters the way that light enters the eye, and the way it is then focused onto the retina. Instead of light being focused on a particular point of the retina, it is focussed on a number of different areas.
This causes a less focussed, blurry image to be seen.
If left uncorrected, astigmatism can cause:
- blurry or distorted vision,
- headaches,
- eye strain.
People are usually born with astigmatism, although it can also develop later in life. People with astigmatism are more likely to be short- or long-sighted.
You are more likely to develop astigmatism if you:
- have a family history of it,
- are extremely short-sighted (myopic),
- are extremely long sighted (hyperopic),
- have previously had eye surgery,
- have had an eye injury.
FAQs
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Ways to pay
Paying for yourself
Our transparent pricing and bespoke packages allow you to pay for the treatments and services you need, when you need them.
Using private health insurance
Many of our dedicated consultants have partnered with insurance companies to give you peace of mind with your health.
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