Astigmatism usually doesn't just go away but can improve in infancy as the eye develops, or be effectively corrected with glasses, special contact lenses (toric, RGP, Ortho-K), or laser surgeries (LASIK, PRK) that reshape the cornea. While often permanent in adults, it's managed by addressing the cornea's irregular curve, though some underlying causes like injury, certain eye diseases (keratoconus), or aging can change it over time.
“Over time a small amount of vertical astigmatism, probably because of the constant pressure of the lids, may diminish and even disappear but horizontal astigmatism will slowly increase over time due to the same factor. Larger amounts are generally stable and will not disappear spontaneously.”
Can astigmatism be corrected? Wearing glasses or contacts will correct your vision, but they won't change the shape of your eye. Vision correction surgery (including LASIK eye surgery and photorefractive keratectomy or PRK eye surgery) uses lasers to fix vision problems.
Kids can be born with astigmatism or develop it as they grow. Having an eye injury can cause it too. Sometimes there is a family history of astigmatism.
This condition can cause your vision to be blurry and lights to look streaky or fuzzy; you may also notice that lights appear to be surrounded by halos, making it hard to focus. This distorted night vision can make your eyes work harder to see, potentially resulting in headaches.
Astigmatism, a refractive error in which visual images do not evenly focus on the retina, modulates visual perception, and the accompanying neural processes in the brain.
In those with astigmatism, it may improve distance or near vision because of the horizontal nature of squinting. For a short time, squinting may decrease vision distortion related to astigmatism. Presbyopia, a common condition among those over 40, is the deterioration of near vision over time.
After adjustment for potential confounders, screen exposure during early life was significantly associated with the increased risk of astigmatism (APR and 95% CI: 2.25, 1.76–2.88), and the greatest risk was observed in the period from birth to 1-year (APR and 95% CI: 3.10, 2.41–3.98).
Astigmatism is caused by a cornea or lens that has a different shape than normal. Astigmatism is very common. Doctors don't know why the shape of the cornea or lens varies from person to person. But they do know the risk of getting astigmatism is inherited (passed down from parents).
The same study found that it is particularly prevalent among very young children, with 23 percent of children between the ages of 6 months and 1 year old having astigmatism. But many grow out of it. By the times children are 5 to 6 years old, only 9 percent had astigmatism.
Treating astigmatism requires a comprehensive strategy that may include:
Eating a healthy diet: Consuming foods rich in vitamins and antioxidants can help maintain overall eye health and potentially slow down the progression of astigmatism. Avoid rubbing your eyes: Rubbing your eyes excessively can cause irritation and potentially worsen your astigmatism symptoms.
How to Prevent Astigmatism from Increasing
Can astigmatism go away? No, but all in all, this is a common eye condition. Over the years, optometrists have learned how to ease the symptoms, and many people with astigmatism may even forget they have it. Those with astigmatism can see very well with special contact lenses, eyeglasses, or surgery.
Dry eye is one of the most common and fixable causes of irregular astigmatism. Treatments targeting tear production and the lids may help, depending on the type of dry eye. Photo: Jonathan Rubenstein, MD. Ocular surface disease.
Whether glasses for astigmatism should be worn continuously depends on the individual's level of astigmatism and personal comfort. Some may need to wear them all the time for optimal vision, while others might only require them for specific tasks, such as reading or computer work.
Fluctuations in hormone levels, such as during pregnancy, menopause, or due to thyroid conditions, can temporarily alter the shape of the cornea or lens. This can lead to changes in astigmatism, making regular eye exams essential during these times to adjust vision correction as needed.
When you have astigmatism, you should avoid excessive digital screen time, poor lighting, chronic eye rubbing, neglecting eye exams, and forcing yourself to see clearly by squinting or straining, as these worsen blurriness, strain, and headaches; instead, use proper correction, take breaks (20-20-20 rule), and ensure good lighting.
The short answer is yes – astigmatism can change or worsen over time due to factors like aging, eye injuries, or changes in the shape of your cornea. But worsening astigmatism doesn't always mean something is wrong, and in most cases, it can be easily managed with regular eye exams and updated prescriptions.
Rubbing your eyes is one habit that could cause astigmatism. In fact, frequent rubbing could eventually change the shape of your corneas. Rubbing also increases your risk of keratoconus, a condition that makes the corneas thin and cone-shaped.
The 30-30-30 rule for eyes is a guideline to prevent digital eye strain: every 30 minutes spent on a screen, look away at something 30 feet (about 9 meters) away for at least 30 seconds, allowing your eyes to relax and refocus. This simple break helps reset your focusing system, moisturizes eyes by encouraging blinking, and reduces symptoms like dryness, irritation, and headaches from prolonged screen time.
3. Is Astigmatism Genetic? An oddly shaped cornea is generally inherited through genetics, so it's likely that your mother or father also has astigmatism and passed it on to you.
When you have astigmatism, it doesn't matter how wide your eyes open — your vision will still be blurry. In fact, when your pupils widen and allow more light in, the elongated shape of the cornea can make blurriness worse.
Signs and symptoms of astigmatism may include:
Blinking recoats the surface of your eyes with your tear film. If you don't make enough tears, have easily evaporating tears or an excessively oily tear film, blinking may temporarily improve your vision by spreading out a new layer of tears.