The Explanation Behind the Strangeness of Lights Appearance During Nighttime Due to Astigmatism
Understanding Astigmatism and Its Impact on Night Vision
As you may have observed, when driving at night, your vision might appear as if you're wearing goggles with halos or starbursts around streetlights and headlights. If this is the case, you might be experiencing astigmatism, a common eye condition that can affect vision clarity.
What is Astigmatism?
Astigmatism is a refractive error, an eye problem that can blur vision by creating an abnormal corneal or lens shape in the eye. Dr. Brian Chou, a neuro-ophthalmologist at UW Medicine, explains that this happens due to a slight deviation in the curvature of the cornea, resulting in two different focal points – one steeper than the other – which distorts vision.
Approximately 30% of people in the U.S. develop astigmatism at some point in their lives. Although some individuals may never notice any symptoms, others can experience blurry vision, headaches, eye strain, and trouble seeing at night.
The Night Vision Impact
While there are numerous reasons for night vision problems, astigmatism is a key contributing factor, particularly when the contrast between light and dark is higher, such as at night. During daylight hours, it may be possible to compensate for the effects of astigmatism, but this becomes more challenging in low-light conditions, making night driving or seeing clearly in the dark more challenging.
Causes of Astigmatism
Astigmatism can develop due to genetic factors, eye diseases, injuries, or even alongside other vision problems like myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness). These refractive errors affect how the eyes bend or refract light, causing astigmatism.
Treating Astigmatism
People experiencing blurry vision should consult an optometrist or ophthalmologist for an eye exam. A refraction test will determine if a glasses prescription is needed and check for astigmatism. In some cases, individuals may have irregular astigmatism, requiring specialized contact lenses.
Laser surgeries like LASIK or PRK and a procedure called refractive lens exchange (replacing the natural lens with an artificial one) may also be options for managing astigmatism. Regular eye drop usage to keep the eyes lubricated and avoid dry eyes is also recommended, as dry eyes can induce refractive errors.
It is essential to avoid night driving in challenging conditions when astigmatism may impair vision more significantly. Adjusting lighting conditions and seeking alternative transportation, such as a ride-share or public transit, can help ensure safety.
While dealing with astigmatism and night vision issues may initially be disconcerting, it is essential to remember that it is a common condition and seeking professional help can significantly improve vision quality, allowing individuals to manage their night vision difficulties effectively.
Astigmatism can also affect one's health-and-wellness by causing trouble seeing at night, which could lead to accidents during night driving. Moreover, news regarding recent advancements in science have highlighted treatments for astigmatism, such as laser surgeries, contact lenses, and refractive lens exchange, that can improve night vision.
