Are there any complications?

Keratoconus is a rare condition where the cornea becomes thinner and cone shaped. This results in increasingly large amounts of Contact numbers astigmatism resulting in poor vision which is not fully corrected by glasses. Keratoconus usually requires contact lenses for clear Orthoptist: vision, and may eventually result in needing surgery on the cornea. St Richard’s 01243 788122 ext 3514

Worthing 01903 205111 ext 85430

Orthoptic Department Information Sheet

We are committed to making our publications as accessible as possible. If Astigmatism you need this document in an alternative format, for example, large print, Braille or a language other than English, please contact St Richard’s Hospital the Communications Office by: Spitalfield Lane email: [email protected] Chichester or by calling 01903 205 111 ext 84038. West Sussex PO19 6SE

www.westernsussexhospitals.nhs.uk Worthing Hospital Lyndhurst Road Department: Orthoptics Worthing

Issue date: Nov 2013 West Sussex

Review date: Nov 2015 BN11 2DH

Leaflet Ref: ORT03 This leaflet is intended to answer some of What are the signs and symptoms? These eye drops fix the child’s focus at a the questions of patients or carers of Children are good at adapting to blurred distance focus for a few hours so that the patients diagnosed with astigmatism under vision and will often not show any signs of Optometrist can get an accurate reading. the care of Western Sussex Hospitals NHS having astigmatism. Sometimes a child can The eye drops also widen the pupils to give Trust. want to sit closer to the tv than normal, or the Optometrist a good view of the back of complain of headaches, light sensitivity, the eye – this large pupil effect can last tiredness and blurred vision. several hours (it is not unusual for children What is astigmatism? with fairer complexions to still have larger Astigmatism is a common vision pupils than normal the day following the condition which causes blurred vision. How is the vision tested? Optometrist test). This is due to an irregular shape of the Vision tests are available for all age groups – cornea (the front clear surface of the ranging from pictures that are simply looked at, A Keratometer is an instrument used to eye) or the lens preventing light from to matching pictures or letter on a card, to measure the curvature of the cornea. By being focused properly on the retina naming letters or numbers. These vision tests focusing a circle of light on the cornea and (the light sensitive surface at the back can detect whether vision is clear or blurred. measuring its reflection, it is possible to tell of the eye). Slight amounts of the exact curvature of the cornea’s surface. astigmatism usually don’t affect vision How do you test for glasses? A more sophisticated procedure called and don’t require treatment. This is done by an Optometrist. Children with corneal topography may be done in some However, larger amounts cause distorted or long-sightedness are very good at over- cases to get an even more detailed idea of blurred vision. focussing to see as clearly as possible. This the shape of the cornea. can result in false readings as to what the Astigmatism often occurs with other glasses prescription should be. To over-come How is it treated? vision conditions such as short- this young children are often asked to have eye- Very mild astigmatism may not need sightedness (myopia) and long- drops instilled in both eyes just before the treatment – your Optometrist will tell you if sightedness (Hypermetropia). Optometrists appointment. this is the case. Glasses, contact lenses or Together these vision conditions are refractive surgery can be used to make the called “refractive errors” because they vision clearer. In children glasses are the affect how the eyes bend or “refract” light. most common method used. The lenses used to correct astigmatism are called “cyls” What is the cause of astigmatism? or “cylinders” and are indicated as the CYL The exact cause for astigmatism is part of the prescription. Unless told unknown. It can be inherited and is otherwise by your Optometrist or Orthoptist usually present at birth. It can change the glasses are to be worn all of the time. as a child grows and may get worse or better with time.