Astigmatism Explained

What is Astigmatism? How does corneal astigmatism affect vision? Can you get LASIK with astigmatism? 🔴SUBSCRIBE🔴 / doctoreyehealth
In this video I cover:
the basic cause of astigmatism
how astigmatism is calculated
how astigmatism can be corrected
how to read the astigmatism correction on a glasses prescription
what vision looks like when you have astigmatism
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Quick Facts about astigmatism
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Astigmatism can cause blurred vision at ALL distances (near, intermediate and far).
Astigmatism is not considered a disease except in extreme cases.
It is normal for astigmatism to change as we age.
At high powers, a small change in astigmatism correction can make a huge difference to visual performance.
LASIK can correct up to 5-6 Diopters of astigmatism
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My PRO Tips to relieve Eye Strain! • 5 Tips and Eye Exercis...
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Attribution
Eye Anatomy photo-National Eye Institute
MEDICAL ADVICE DISCLAIMER: All content in this video and description including infor­ma­tion, opinions, con­tent, ref­er­ences, and links is for infor­ma­tional pur­poses only. The Author does not pro­vide any med­ical advice on the Site. Access­ing, viewing, read­ing, or oth­er­wise using this content does NOT cre­ate a physician-patient rela­tion­ship between you and its author. Pro­vid­ing per­sonal or med­ical infor­ma­tion to the Principal author does not cre­ate a physician-patient rela­tion­ship between you and the Principal author or authors. Noth­ing con­tained in this video or its description is intended to estab­lish a physician-patient rela­tion­ship, to replace the ser­vices of a trained physi­cian or health care pro­fes­sional, or oth­er­wise to be a sub­sti­tute for pro­fes­sional med­ical advice, diag­no­sis, or treatment. You should con­sult a licensed physi­cian or appropriately-credentialed health care worker in your com­mu­nity in all mat­ters relat­ing to your health.
About This Video:
In this video Joseph J. Allen, O.D discusses corneal astigmatism and its effect on vision. If you are researching how astigmatism can affect the eyes, check out this video. The subject of astigmatism can be very complex and many people don’t understand how it affects the eyes, vision, and glasses prescriptions. In this video, you’ll learn about how astigmatism is measured, corrected, and what vision may look like through uncorrected astigmatism.
#Doctoreyehealth #Astigmatism #eyehealth

[@funforsameer1769]

22 years later, I've found out that it's not normal to see lines or lights looking like stars at night

[@TWSBofficial]

😂

[@r.i.t.randominterestingthi4031]

😂

[@ramzay876]

It's not?

[@vishal-yl8bv]

what causes this nd treatment for this?

[@r.i.t.randominterestingthi4031]

@@vishal-yl8bvrubbing eyes, toomuch pressure, watch tv and phone without proper lightning, to stupidly pressing your own eyes aka traumatic injuries. So aprreciate it while you still have it

[@rjg3876]

A lot of useful information that most doctors don't have the time to tell You.

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Happy to hear your found the video helpful!

[@alisabah4658]

777777877777777787077887777777787

[@tigerteche85]

My doctor didn't say anything to me at all just the normal routine didn't check for nothing.

[@kateajurors8640]

Even if they have the time I don't have the money to pay them for that time LOL especially with how expensive it already is

[@birtecarlsen7963]

@@alisabah4658l

[@Vale-nh6ey]

At 21 I’ve just been diagnosed with 0,75 astigmatism lol, and now I have to wear glasses. I thought I saw fine, and it wasn’t severe enough to be noticed, but now that i have glasses it’s crazy! I see so much better now!

[@dios.9586]

I have the same situation. I think I’m going to get laser eye surgery.

[@Vale-nh6ey]

@@dios.9586 i imagine yours is worse than mine? Because I can see enough to get by without glasses, but it does make a difference when reading

[@dios.9586]

@@Vale-nh6ey I have bad eye sight for more reasons than just astigmatism, I also have pretty bad eye sight in general. For things like driving I cant’t do it without glasses/contacts. So yeah, mine are probably a little worse than yours. I wouldn’t wish eye problems on anybody, it’s awful.

[@Vale-nh6ey]

@@dios.9586 me acabo de dar cuenta que tu usuario es dios jajajaj, pero claro, en ese caso entiendo, yo los tendría que usar más seguido de lo que los uso pero muchas veces no tengo ganas de ir a buscarlos, y si me acerco a la pantalla puedo leer más o menos bien, después me duele la cabeza, pero bueno jajaja

[@makeupbyalexisfuentes]

Same here

[@djscotthenry]

Two words… YOU ROCK! After being a patient of one of the top cornea specialists in the world at Johns Hopkins, you have done a better job of explaining astigmatism to me in 10 minutes, than she has been able to in 12 years. You have a bright future ahead of you. Never lose that enthusiastic spirit nor allow the rigors of medicine to make you become jaded. Thank you!

[@benjaminperez5303]

Because when you here someone says here in the US that one doctor is one of the top of the world, that is not always true there are many better doctors out there and some other countries too

[@djscotthenry]

@@benjaminperez5303 with all due respect, I wrote that she is ONE of the top cornea specialists the world. You write, “Because when you [here] in the US someone [says] here in the US…” I did not state that in my comment. I agree that there are amazing ophthalmologists located all over the world. I’m not going to list my doctor’s credentials, education, research, peer-reviewed papers, or academic teaching. However, you can probably use Google to get that info. There’s a good chance that she has lectured in your country.

[@danielandlukeplaygames8329]

that was a little more than 2 words

[@chavale2]

As long as he mentions Lasik surgeries he still has no brains dude BJ

[@Mrs.Forensics74]

This was the best explanation I've ever encountered on what an Astigmatism is and how it impacts people who have them. I have it in both eyes, one is worse than the other and while it sucks, I can deal with anything in life as long as I can understand it fully in order to adapt properly. Great video!

[@annanexton4682]

I always thought they were saying “you have a stigmatism.” Not “You have astigmatism.” Lolol 😂

[@pariswilson670]

Anna Nexton yup me too I got kinda offended cause she said my eyes were football shaped because I have astigmatism so I looked it up.

[@leahraealexis1]

Same

[@tyler-jj7ys]

Same

[@m.m7732]

Anna Nexton same

[@m.m7732]

Paris Wilson lmfao

[@itsmidtrib1569]

Driving at night is the worst when you have astigmatism 😅

[@FukaiKokoro]

Faith agreed, everythig turns into a blurry mess without glasses.

[@itsmidtrib1569]

Fukai Kokoro yes but for me even with glasses or contacts, driving at night is the worst because all the car lights from the oncoming traffic just ✨🌟✨🤩✨🌟

[@pamelaneibuhr6959]

Faith ...yep me too. My dad was a eye doc. No help there lol

[@romannamor2276]

Oof

[@pixiedarvill3940]

I've been struggling so bad with driving in the dark and today found out I have astigmatism!

[@Stargirlbeck]

i’m nearly 23 years old. had my first eye test today ever, i’ve been noticing i have to strain a lot more than ever lately. turns out i’ve had astigmatism for nearly 23 years and never knew😂😂 he put those lenses on me today and it was a whole new world i felt like lol

[@aznfriedrice415]

Same, happened to me 1.5 years ago.

[@gamingotaku1703]

More like world just started appearing in High definition

[@christiannwodo2151]

I think astigmatism in a way causes reading disorder - not in the sense that you can’t see what you read, but even when you eventually see, you don’t understand. When I got my glasses, I felt like I had a boost of my IQ

[@shadowthrunight5911]

@@christiannwodo2151 this actually true. Not correcting your eyesight is associated with a lowering of your IQ. As soon as you fix it, your IQ becomes higher. But thats obvious, you cant be at full potential if you dont see well. The brain is too stressed and needs more power to guide the eyes and you cannot see everything properly.

[@Max4Z]

You must’ve had very low or subtle astigmatism, I also noticed it later in life. I was surprised how not good my vision was lol

[@jeffreymatthes6921]

I really appreciate the way you explain things relatively simply for the masses. I’ve had Keratoconus since high school, managed the disease to the best of my ability for over 30 years, and now understand the astigmatism angle. Your channel has been very helpful with my eye challenges. Thank you.

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Thanks so much Jeffrey! Glad you found the channel. I appreciate the comment.

[@electronicsNmore]

You're a natural on camera. :-) My right eye pretty good vision(astigmatism not too bad), left is worse and I get blurry slightly doubled vision. Glasses make it all better, but I want to ditch the glasses. Left eye has one tiny annoying floater. Love to get rid of that, hoping it can be done with a laser, I don't want my vitreous fluid removed for one small floater. Thanks for the video!

[@australium7374]

@@lilahtheg well the only way for them to effectively get rid of all of it is to remove the vitreous liquid from your eye. vitrectomy

[@notanubhav7933]

I have the same condition and I stopped wearing glasses but then after a couple of months my weak eye started getting lazy and I found out that I'd get a lazy eye. Glasses fixed that pretty well and now I wear them regularly.

[@MrBright3yes]

You are the cutest eye doc! I have a question. I had a stye and It went. Away for the most part for almost a year. Now it's flared up again but it doesn't bother be other then there being a lump. I don't have time to hot rinse it multiple times a day. What should I do?

[@ella2151]

Same with me

[@didyouknow5648]

My double vision becomes more visible if i open my eyes as wide as i can

[@ricksmith561]

lol I think it's kinda ironic how he is an eye doctor and he has literally the most aesthetic, beautiful eyes I have ever seen XD. It's like he had plastic eye surgery

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Well I did have jaw surgery in high school for a bad underbite. That's technically cosmetic surgery

[@wernerdanler2742]

@@DoctorEyeHealth they did a good job. Perfect jaw!

[@eddakulle7301]

I swear his eye color changes throughout the video

[@welderella]

Doctor Eye Health I thought your jaw looked rather sculptured. It looks nice on you.

[@bobshaw4063]

@@DoctorEyeHealth Was the jaw surgery you had in high school for a bad under bite called Orthognathic Jaw surgery ? If so do you still have any numbness & before the surgery did have to go to an Orthodontist to have braces put on your teeth? Were both jaws cut off & realigned & your jaw was wired shut for awhile & plates & screws were put on your jaws ?

[@PaintmanJohn]

His shirt is PART OF THE EYE TEST !!! Seriously. This is the most descriptive and easily understood explanation I have ever seen.

[@444lilou5]

This man's face stripped off my astigmatism

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

👍😃

[@pawsnotclaws2772]

Ser Darby Coombs lol

[@weenmaster8000]

He cute asf ngl-

[@talvr1924]

😂

[@ryusuga_3684]

lmao

[@andrewns9141]

I love this doctor - knowledgeable and informative without being condescending. Friendly and professional - Thanks Joseph, keep up the splendid work. I'm learning something everytime I watch your channel. Love the evidence-based research facts.

[@OptPrimeshorts]

I can see computer screen crisply without glasses but farther away I see double edges of objects. what type of astimatism is this

[@cranbers]

One word of advice on someone who got Lasik, wait until your older not early / mid 20's. I had lasik at 21, had 20/2100 vision or -6 in prescription strength, and by 25 I was wearing glasses again with -.50, then .75 then 1.0 and now 1.25 by 35. While I still have 20/60 vision without correction, saving the thousands on lasik and waited another 5 - 10 years would of been good. And my eyes were bad enough they had to take some much material away from my eye, they can't do lasik again to do a "top up" to fix it again. So one thing to keep in mind.

[@--Paws--]

8:55 If eye tests were in equivalent to pixel density, 4k being 20/20, I have 240p

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

👍Nice!

[@firefightingtexan5860]

Without contacts I have 144p or lower lol.

[@pokemaster1234567899]

@@DoctorEyeHealth that's not nice, tf? lmao.

[@piia1917]

Mr. Doctor seems to not understand what pixel density is ;w;

[@phoenixwillington7329]

_Paws_ 4K would be better than 2020

[@ohnvl]

My eye doctor told me that I have an astigmatism and I didnt understand what that meant till now😅 Thank you so much for explaining all the different types of them and what the causes are. I'm very glad that I found this channel

[@premsinghsharma5774]

Sir this chanel is very good for everyone ....

[@iPlayOnSpica]

I know the comment is old, but doctors are people, too. They like conversations as much as we patients do. If you don't know what they're saying, chances are, they're willing to answer questions, especially if you sound interested in the topic (which is about your own health, so I hope you are).

[@chrisd9248]

This was incredibly helpful. When I had my eye exam, they didn't explain any of this to me. They just said I had some mild astigmatism. Thank you!

[@pappanalab]

I was four when I found out that needed glasses and I distinctly remember the terror I felt. My two younger siblings also ended up needing glasses but they were super excited to get new glasses. Fast-forward to the present and, ironically enough, I wear my glasses all the time and they avoid their's like the plague.

[@jacquelinemugerwa5951]

I recently had my first eye appointment and apparently I have astigmatism. My whole life I thought my vision was normal, but now that I have glasses, there is a big difference.

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Hopefully for the better?

[@jacquelinemugerwa5951]

@@DoctorEyeHealth yess!!

[@jenniedraws406]

I work at an ophthalmologist office and the majority of our patients have a positive cylinder. So I was very surprised to hear that the negative is more common than the positive. You learn something new everyday.

[@ravensrolltop]

Thank you so much for putting out this video. My child has an astigmatism, but cannot verbalize what is happening to her vision. Thanks to you, I now know. Keep up the great work.

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

SO happy to help! Thank you for the great feedback!

[@desiraec4330]

My astigmatism effects my eyes light refraction abilities really bad I have fairy lights on my bedroom ceiling and if I’m not wearing my glasses each bulb looks like a star burst // firework of like 20 different light sources sooo that’s fun 😂

[@kokohjohn]

lol same here look like a star

[@shielamaesiglos6830]

Samee halos all around and large starburst everg where and my eye sight looks like 200p

[@FukaiKokoro]

I can’t drive without my glasses at night because this effect. It’s almost like I’ve had too much to drink.. even though I’m dead sober.

[@saraperrigo6946]

Each bulb looks like a lighted Christmas Tree to me!

[@inhawaii4941]

Damn. The dr says i have it but lights don't do that to me

[@FrancescoQuibranza]

I'm an optometry student currently learning mid-pandemic/online, your videos help so much in keeping me inspired and keeping me well informed! Love all your videos!

[@brandonlovelady8659]

I was Dx'd with an astigmatism today and prescribed my first pair of glasses, age 20. Watching this helped me understand the Rx page I was given. Thanks Doc!

[@ruben980]

I’m studying for my ABO and this definitely helps understand how astigmatism works and corrects vision. Thanks a lot! 😁

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Happy to help! Best of luck studying for the ABO1

[@RemyRAD]

This was extremely helpful. Thank you. I have had my vision problems, since my adolescent years. Noticed at 15 years of age. Partially detached retinas. I personally hadn't noticed any differences. I was accused of looking into the sun. Nope. I knew better. I never realized just how incredible my eyesight actually was. I wasn't just 2020. I had, Superman vision. But then I did start to lose my eyesight. I started losing centralized acuity and brightness overall. I was diagnosed with, multiple sclerosis. And my Outlook was dim. I was now virtually blind. One morning I awoke. Things were not right. I thought I had a stroke in my sleep. They got me to the emergency ward. MRI revealed, not a stroke. A bad case of hydrocephalus. I wasn't supposed to be talking or feeding myself, or nothing. Generally nothing. And required emergency brain surgery. When I awoke, in the dimly lit, recovery room. It was as bright as the sun at the beach. Oh my God. My vision has returned. After my brain surgery. When I was able to look into the mirror. I was horrified. I had these little pig eyes. What happened to my eyes? I was told my eyeballs settled back into their sockets. Since the pressure was relieved from my hydrocephalus. And I asked, so I don't have multiple sclerosis? They said they still believed I have multiple sclerosis. But now in remission. But the brain surgery doesn't fix that. I'm the luckiest person in the world. My last vision test at, 64 years of age, indicated I was, 20/30. But on the big LCD displays. At home. At the bar. I'm still able to read the small type. From across the room. My friends can't. And I complain about my vision not being as good as it once was. Now I know why the ophthalmologist, looked at me cross eyed. When I said, I was having trouble focusing, on the street name sign. From one block away. He told me to get out. RemyRAD

[@GoHomeKamala]

I appreciate that story of yours and hope your still clear of ms.

[@Genuinely_Vague]

Thank you so much for making this video. I’m 27, I’ve had glasses since I was 14 and had no clue about almost any of this. They process you through, but never really inform you or teach you anything.

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Glad I could help!

[@sidvicious9744]

They do that in med school.

[@benjamindkadoch8993]

We just can’t have enough of you, Doc. The best channel with all mertits.

[@chavale2]

He talked about Laser eye surgeries Suicidals or people...No F good; STOP LASER EYES surgeries topics...then you are Hero DR

[@HaramainExperience]

Astigmatism is so crazy, I thought my vision was normal and fine but when I went to get my checkup I did horrible but when I was looking through the lens it was like I saw the world in high Def, I get my glasses soon and can't wait to experience the world!!

[@Trusty_Shellback]

Haha same for me way back in HS. I got glasses to see the white board from the back of the class room. And it was like going 720p to 4k. I was fascinated by the amount of detail I could see in tree branches from a distance.

[@HaramainExperience]

@@Trusty_Shellback Wow its been a while since I posted this. Ive had my glasses for almost 2 yrs and yeah just amazing, nothing really to say.

[@laceyl.3823]

This was so helpful! I just called an optical center at Costco and they honestly made me feel really dumb when they asked for my prescription and types of lenses, etc. bc I didn't know how to read it. I've never gotten any of this explained to me before. Thank you!

[@SuperManning11]

I have never really understood this before. Your explanation, along with the visuals, made perfect sense. Thank you! I'm sure I bug the crap out of my optometrist with all the questions I ask, so I'd better subscribe to your channel to try to learn some stuff on my own! :) Thanks for posting great material. It is appreciated!

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Hey Stephen thanks for the great feedback! Always happy to try and answer any questions you may have. -Joe

[@aboclab6524]

@@DoctorEyeHealth so, i only see the lines when i squirt my eyes, IS that good?

[@emmicah7720]

So funny story: I saw one of your old vids (the Halloween one for contacts) a few months back when I was almost done finishing school for medical assisting. I found what you talked about really interesting. Flash forward to now and I've graduated school and now work for an Ophthalmologist and am working on getting certified as an Ophthalmic Assistant! Thank you so much for inspiring that in me with your videos!!!

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

This makes me so happy! Good for you!

[@emmicah7720]

@@DoctorEyeHealth thank you sir! I find it truly fascinating!! The eyes are so much more amazing than we give them credit for

[@KeepLearing]

I've been in the eye industry for so long - though I am not an optometrist - so I know a lot about eyes and if anyone wish to understand the stigma then I'd say this is the best video for understanding how astigmatism work. 10/10 - hit the nail on the head

[@tinpony9424]

After reading some of the comments here, it saddens me to see how many people feel uninformed, after leaving their doctor or optician's office. I spent 6 years in lens labs, and 11 years as a dispensing optician in ophthalmology offices. Many doctors are so heavily scheduled with exams, treatments and surgeries, they don't take the time to explain conditions and options to their patients, unless asked specific questions. The same holds true for many opticians/sales associates, but usually because they either haven't been taught, or aren't able to communicate clearly and in simple terms. Thank you for taking the time to make these videos. A patient that knows the pros and cons of their options, is an informed customer, and likely to be a repeat customer.

[@Scribblescrabbly]

Thank you! I just had an eye exam and was curious as to what the numbers meant. This presentation was masterful and fun to watch.

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Yeah what numbers? Your glasses prescription?

[@tanyamelnichuk2652]

This is so helpful

[@bsboy773]

TIL astigmatism is one word, not like "I have a stigmatism."

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

😂🤣💯

[@noahmarlee]

bsboy773 me too LMAO

[@LovingAtlanta]

bsboy773 - 😆😂🤣👍

[@dmandman9]

Some people with astigmatism may have good vision when simply reading an eye chart, but could still benefit greatly from corrective lenses . I think the symptoms vary depending on how severe our astigmatism is. My sister failed her vision test for her drivers license and had chronic headaches. Once she got glasses to fix her vision, her headaches disappeared (unless she wasn’t wearing her glasses). In my case, I was always able to pass my vision test. But my eyes got “tired” easily especially when driving at night. I attributed it to needing more sleep. As I noted in another comment, it wasn’t until I needed reading glasses that I found out about my astigmatism. The optometrist asked me if I squinted a lot. I told her I think I did, especially at night when driving. After I got my glasses, in retrospect I realized that I squinted some even during the day because it helped me focus better . Now my eyes are open wider when I’m wearing glasses. So if a person has unexplained headaches, eye strain after driving only a short time, or finds themselves squinting a lot. They may want to get their eyes checked even if they have “good” vision when reading an eye chart.

[@JonatasAdoM]

People don't believe I have poor eyesight because ironically I can see and perceive things really well. I did notice my eyes do not seem to be wide open and I thought maybe my eyelids were tired or something. It just sucks that my Rxs do not seem to stop worsening. It was just annoying but now it is affecting me directly.

[@dmandman9]

@@JonatasAdoM I remember the optometrist saying that I probably had astigmatism most of my life but when I was young I could compensate without noticing. But as I got older I was unable to compensate as well. My eyes gradually got worse as well because when I first got glasses I could still read without them and could still easily pass my driver's license test. But over time it became almost impossible to read without glasses. But that's to be expected even with normal vision. But the last time I got my driver's license renewed in 2020, I had to put on my glasses in order to read the line. A little over a year ago, I lost my glasses and had to use my glasses from I believe my second prescription. They will useless for reading, and nearly useless for driving, especially at night. But the last two prescriptions were Not very different from each other, so I guess that age 58 the changes have slowed down. I hope so anyway. 😅

[@naidaellaga8251]

Me too, my head aches everyday which made me think I have a serious illness in the brain. The ophthalmologist says my astigmatism is high

[@resheeljanayan3749]

@@dmandman9 Y all I'm curious do I have astigmatism? But my vision is clear but I see glare and halo lights at night and I am squinting a lot this days but my vision is clear .. I don't know guys pls help😭

[@dmandman9]

@@resheeljanayan3749 of course I can’t say for certain. But when i was first diagnosed, I still fairly good daytime vision . And I didn’t know that things were somewhat blurry until I got my first set of glasses. I only thought I needed reading glasses. But the person who examined my eyes told me that I probably had astigmatism for most of my life. But when I was younger i could compensate and not really notice.

[@hutchyyy6444]

Thank you for those examples of vision with astigmatism, they were very accurate and I can finally show my boyfriend what I see without glasses

[@MotoringAdventures_KE7SAI]

I have had astigmatism all my life until last year when I had lasik, and I still feel I learned more about astigmatism. Very informative and easy to understand. The part where you show how the vision looks under the different diopters, looks almost exact how it did when I had an astigmatism. Thank you for putting this together!

[@familyguyclips-4026]

hey, how are your eyes now one year later?

[@MotoringAdventures_KE7SAI]

@@familyguyclips-4026 they’re good! Been over two years now.

[@LizetteC45]

I’m terrified of eye surgery. I have astigmatism and my eyesight is pretty bad. I wish I was brave enough to get surgery.

[@OptPrimeshorts]

when i fous on something up close my distant vision goes wierd like I see double edges of objects like the way he showed diopters i see that kind of vision only when i focus on something up close or if i am watching a show or something when in the show the persons face is clear but the outside vision is like the diopters is this astigmatism

[@MotoringAdventures_KE7SAI]

@@LizetteC45 I wouldn't even consider Lasik or PRK (it's close cousin) to being actual eye "surgery". They don't really get further than the upper layer of skin. The entire procedure takes like 30 minutes and you're in and out. I was afraid like you for many years and I finally had it done right before my 40th birthday. What threw me over to getting it done was my 8 year old daughter at the time needed actual eye surgery to correct a lazy eye she had and I was like, well if she was brave enough to go through that, when that's actual cutting of the eye type of surgery, then why am I so afraid of Lasik, which basically just peels back the upper layer of skin, corrects the skin underneath, and then closes it back up. In other words, lasik type of eye surgery really isn't that bad and only scary because of the word "surgery". I have been so happy since having it done. It's so nice to just wake up and be able to see! It does have it's quirks. Especially if you get sick or have allergies, and at night you see "halos" around lights. But it's still a million times better vision than I had before. Do yourself a favor, if you have the money or the means to do it, don't cheat yourself. Just get it done! I wish I had done it sooner in life. With that said, it's not for everyone and there are times (like when I'm sick or have bad alleries) that I start to think maybe I shouldn't have done it. But they usually clear up once that's gone and I hardly even remember it.

[@simobonev4511]

Thank you very much for creating this video. I have had astigmatism my whole life and wanted to understand what it is and how it works for so long. You explained the phenomenon and the prescriptions so well. Your content is so valuable.

[@loralove182]

watching this w my mam and I said aw look my eye is curved and 'not perfect' and she said 'youre perfect in my eye' little legend

[@jackhammer1021]

20th like

[@internaldoom10]

You explained it so perfectly and in much simpler terms! I am 100% grateful for this video 🙏🙏🙏

[@trishpaquette2592]

Thank you so much for such a descriptive yet clear explanation of astigmatism!! I knew I had an astigmatism in my left eye, and that my eye is sort of football shaped, and not round. However doctors have not taken the time to explain it in such detail as you have done here, nor used the visuals you have here to support what you're saying -- nor taken the time to explain the format of a prescription for eyes or the explanations of the different parts of it!! Now I understand much better about the astigmatism in my left eye!! You know, you fear what you don't know, and there are so many things in health and medicine that are so, well, scary when you don't know the details and explanations. When you are educated a little more, like you have done for us here, you can relax a bit better knowing a little more about what's wrong, but that it's not catastrophic!! Again, thanks so very much for this video!! You ROCK!! :)

[@emill2119]

As someone studying ophthalmology, I am so grateful for your uploads!

[@lordplatinum2846]

Your shirt is already an astigmatism test ;-) I am still trying to correct myopia and astigmatism, they can't figure out my correct grades

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

💖💖🤣💯

[@MrPAULONEAL]

Have you been to Lenscrafters?

[@MadMax-us9ih]

I have that exact same thing too! I got my eye sight checked and I had really bad myopia and astigmatism and my eye doctor said I would see much clearer with my contacts but because my eyesight is so bad, some letters were still gona be blurry just not as much as if I didn't have contacts or glasses that's only for one eye though so I only use one contact

[@melonmd7056]

Mad Max what’s your eye grade?

[@RandomNorwegianGuy.]

I have had a lasik operation. It was quite the pain to get used to for the first 5-8 months. But after that, it has been great and I have in no way regretted getting the operation. My eye seight was very bad before, and I needed to change glasses every 2-3 years, and the glasses I needed cost somewhere in the range of 8 000 - 10 000 Kroner (800 - 1000 ish-dollars). The operation cost 40 000 Kroner (4000 ish-Dollars). Now, almost 6 years after the operation I have already saved about 20 000 Kroner (2000 ish-dollars) in glasses alone. Despite the high price, it was definitely worth it. It took about 1 year before I was basically 100% used to glass free life

[@suzunekaiser]

at which age should you get surgery? my mom got astigmatism at 47 (2024), do we have to wait some few years, as power changes every 2 years or is it better to get surgery now? can you please help?

[@DarkAurora90]

Thank you for this video. My 2 year old, almost 3, has glasses. She’s been wearing them for a year now. She was diagnosed with astigmatism last year and I never really understood what she saw. I knew she would tilt her head to the sides or to the back or forward. I also knew she kept bumping into things. This makes so much sense!

[@shamila009]

WOW! I am wearing glasses for around 2 decades now and have astigmatism. Never was I soooooo clear on the idea before watching this video! So easily explained, yet so precise!

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Glad it was helpful!

[@joyatakung1232]

Thank you so much for the explanation it really helped me cuz I've had astigmatism for four years now and none has explained it this much 🙏

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

So glad you found this helpful :)

[@Kurazaybo]

First time I hear aabout astigmatism rotating as we age. Thank you!

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Yeah that is an interesting phenomenon. A couple of different theories to why. Surprisingly I have always had against the rule astigmatism.

[@haneen9445]

This video is so helpful for me as a medical student studying refractive errors and as an astigmatism patient ❤️ THANK YOU

[@rosieleaverton]

After learning about astigmatism in my Anatomy class in school, I began researching it on my own because I was curious. I've known for several years that I am near-sighted and I wear glasses to help me see better, but after researching astigmatism and its symptoms, I began to suspect I might have that too. I never knew for sure because my doctor hasn't outright told me and I didn't know what most of the numbers on my prescription meant (also I never really looked at the sheet the doctor gave my mom because she always just put it in a file cabinet and I didn't know where it was). But after my suspicion, she helped me find one of my previous prescription sheets (we sadly couldn't find the most recent one), and I found out that I indeed do have moderate astigmatism in both my eyes. I'm actually going in for an eye appointment in two days because my near-sightedness has been worsening, and I'm curious to see if the astigmatism has gotten worse as well. (Edit) The astigmatism did get slightly worse in my right eye, and the "positioning" of where it was in each eye changed a bit too.

[@muhammadaqil5993]

Had the same issue of worsening. Though I'm engineer, not a doctor. However I was curious like you. My doctor recommended me to not rub the eyes. Either wise it may play a role in worsening astigmatism

[@rosieleaverton]

@@muhammadaqil5993 Yeah, my eye doctor told me that too. But for me, some of it just comes from aging. I'm in my upper teens, so my eyes are still changing, but my doctor told me they should stabilize after i hit my twenties.

[@muhammadaqil5993]

@@rosieleaverton My doctor told me too. However, I'm still struggling at my 25th.

[@thoang101]

I didn't really know the correct term "Astigmatism". The first time I hear my doctor said that I have "Stigmatism" I was very confused. Thanks, Docs, for a very clear information.

[@sidhartha4397]

this doctor is a brilliant teacher. this is one of the best health-related videos i have ever seen.

[@jlbeeen]

That's what the D means on my contacts package! Before I got glasses, I had no idea that a straight line existed, and my first day back at school, I was looking at a math worksheet, and just admiring how beautiful the printer made the lines look! I always thought the printer was just bad and would make smudges or uneven lines, but it was my eyes. I can definitely see what I have now, and that also explains why contacts have to be weighted. It takes me about 10 minutes to get used to them and get them right side up, but hopefully that improves with practice. I always use glasses for computer use because I have a coating on them that helps a lot, and one eye is too weak to get a contact, but I like the options.

[@rachelv4032]

i had an eye appointment today and they told me i have astigmatism in my right eye and i was nervous to ask what it was! it was the first time i’d ever heard the word and you did a great job explaining it

[@gwendolyntorres978]

Thanks for the information. Unfortunately my eye dr never thought to be this thorough.

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

👍😁

[@karimglover4217]

"Doctor Eye Health" Your channel is the first channel that I have ever subscribed to! I have watched a few of your video and recommended them to others, I have been working in the optical industry for 20+ years and I'm often tasked with educating new associates to the industry. I find you explanations simple & sweet but very accurate. Thanks (I will definitely refer people to your channel in the future)

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Wow that means so so much! Thank you for all the support! Maybe we will run into each other at a trade show some day!

[@karlmbomeyo8589]

I was diagnosed with astigmatism, more so in my left eye. I was prescribed glasses with bifocal lines at the bottom. I find the bifocal lines helpful when I’m looking at my phone and reading smaller print. As for the top part of the glasses, it varies. There is a slight difference. But I feel like I can see better without the glasses.

[@paultowarnicki5359]

I'd like a video explaining how the lenses are made and how they work to correct the vision.

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

That would be a great idea!

[@vinayendley]

I agree

[@australium7374]

well this is a short explanation: there are 2 types of lenses that bend and refract to adjust to your eye that’s why some are thin and some are thick because they have to make the light reach your eye accurately

[@jamesgormley9440]

Thank you so much, this really helped me get to grips with astigmatism. I am a first year optometry student from Ireland :-)

[@carlose5751]

This isn't a video, this is SOCIAL SERVICE. Muchísimas gracias, Doctor.

[@Jake-u2o]

Fascinating My Brother !!! Two (2) way thumbs up on this dissertation :) I'm 69 now and going thru the research for my custom fit of contacts paired with my slight astigmatism...

[@rosemariekury9186]

I’m 78 and this is such a good video. I had astigmatism and as a child hated wearing glasses. Then as an adult I wore contact lenses which was much better. However we moved to Utah which as a dry climate and irritated my eyes so I went back to wearing glasses. Then in my late 50s developed cataracts. I had cataract surgery, and voila what a difference. I only need reading glasses now. I wear sunglasses while I’m driving because I’m so much more sensitive to light now. I bet the LASIK surgery is similar, but never could’ve afforded it. I wasn’t diagnosed with astigmatism until I was in the second grade! The optician told my mother that my right eye was so bad if it got damaged I’d be blind. Later on my optometrist debunked that statement, maybe because of more modern optical instruments.

[@NolanAronson08]

Just got an eye appointment, getting glasses Monday, turns out my mom said I have an astigmatism I don’t know what it is so thank you

[@leidenjun]

his very blue eyes looking straight into mine get me hypnotized like @_@

[@jillbean1969]

You do a great job at explaining everything and your videos are quality. You're organized, get right to the point, and speak well at a good speed. A++👍

[@michaeljohn8165]

Agree like the Superman of Communication

[@IamGroot786]

Yours is one of the better channels I've come across on KZbin!!!

[@sanjayfernando6587]

My 5 yr old was diagnosed with it and I was freaking out. Thank you for your explanation and visuals to help me understand what it is and what he actually sees.

[@madisonwillis9591]

I was diagnosed at 7, best of luck to him and hope that it doesn't get much worse for him than it is now. 👌🏻

[@ruthiek5340]

Thank you SO much for making this video. I just came across it today and you do an amazing job at explaining things in clear layman's terms so anyone can understand. I learned so much from you! Thank you again!!!

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Thank you! Happy to help. Glad you found the channel! Please let me know if there's ever a topic you would like me to cover!

[@ruthiek5340]

@@DoctorEyeHealth there is actually a topic I'm interested in hearing about. I haven't looked back to see if you've covered it or not, but it's wet macular degeneration. My mother is 80 and suffers from it and is rapidly losing her sight :( It would be nice to hear your take on it so that maybe I can explain to my mom easier to help her cope. She is having a hard time accepting that she's losing her sight. It's really hard to watch her go through it. I do what I can to help her, but she just gets incredibly frustrated sometimes.

[@thatalchemistlady]

You are amazing, man! Your videos are very friendly and professionally explained. I'm a glass wearer myself and a biochem student, and also very interested in all your eye-health related info x)

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Hey thank you! Hows the biochem going this semester?

[@thatalchemistlady]

@@DoctorEyeHealth I'm a bit exhausted, but I'm trying to do my best! Thank you for asking!

[@burnedstriker1366]

Wow, this was so easy to understand. Very informative and precise. I understood much better than reading or trying to understand it by myself. Thank you for the amazing video.

[@ronr6951]

Great info. I've been wearing glasses since kindergarten, 23 years and I just learned all of this for the first time thanks!

[@MicheleLeeMD]

I LOVE this explanation. I have the hardest time explaining astigmatism to patients. I try using the football and basketball analogy but it doesn't really click sometimes. Thanks for this video!!!

[@Kayle1373]

Thank you for these videos, I'm a receptionist for an ocular doctor's office and I've never been in this field so I'm trying to do some homework. Beautifully explained

[@miaridavis]

I wish I could find a doctor like your where I live. I’ve been told once I don’t have it but I can’t drive at night because the light bothers me so bad it’s blinding. Even during the day time if the sun light is too damn bright it’s blinding. So I know I have always been right. Contacts never really worked for me but now I know I was wearing the wrong kind.

[@bryandogoc2122]

“Let’s take a look” lol

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Yey Catch phrase!

[@Jacob_._Roberts]

Your illustrations and simulations make your explanations crystal clear. 🏆

[@FarazMazhar]

Finally a good video where numbers of the prescription are explained properly.

[@lg8019]

Wow, you really explain the material in such a way that is easy to understand and very interesting to listen to!! So I thank you for the great astigmatism lesson!! 😀👀👁

[@melodyrodriguez3155]

This is the best lesson I've ever had!!

[@brandytoupard1682]

You did a great job on this video. Thanks!

[@JoeR203]

I was born in December 1966. Developed cataracts and had my first surgery before I was 2 years old. They didn't have a laser back then so the cataracts had to be cut off the eye with a scalpel. The cataracts kept coming back. One year, they operated on the left eye. The next year, the right eye. Next year, back to the left eye. I've had 9 surgeries by the time I was 10. One year they did both eyes at the same time. I think that was when the laser was approved for use on people. Still needed one more surgery on the left eye. The vision in the right eye never got better so it was considered "Legally blind". It became a lazy eye as well. Fast forward to 1996 and the retina in my left eye detached. Doctor figured it was scar tissue contracting and pulled at the retina. Weak blood vessels from prior surgeries turned a 2 hour surgery into 6. They put the "buckle" on the retina a little too tight and that creased the retina, distorting my vision. They didn't want to operate to loosen it, for fear I'd bleed again and make things worse. The gas they use to pressurize the eye was supposed to be gone in a few weeks. It took 11 months. So for 11 month I had to use my weak right eye. So now the lazy eye is starting to center itself from being used more. Only it never got to the center and that gave me double vision. The gas finally cleared and I was able to see well enough to drive again and return to my job. But I discovered I was a little color blind in the left eye now. Doc said it was due to the retina surgery. He could have warned me on what to expect. Fast forward to 2016 and I get a grey spot in the center of my left eye's vision. I think it was a Macular Edema. It eventually went away. I was also getting blurry vision which I attributed to working outside in the cold all day. The blurry vision always seemed to happen during winter months. 2018 I get the grey spot again, only a little bigger this time and also developed light sensitivity in the left eye. I go see a retina specialist and he says the pressure in the eye is up. He gives me injections in the eye every month for about 5 months. The swelling goes down enough and he zaps the bleeding vessels with a laser. Now I have a bunch of spots that resemble floaters, but they're not "floating". They are in the center of my vision field and have a white ring around them, and they constantly shimmer in the light. The doc says it's due to my diabetes. But why would diabetes only affect one eye, and not both? I think the laser caused these spots. Not that he'd admit to it. I can't sue because in the state of Connecticut, there's a 2 year limitation and the doctor kept telling me the spots will go away if I get my blood sugar under control. My primary care physician tells me my numbers are good. The retina specialist also tells me "Your brain will learn to ignore the spots." I can, and have ignored floaters. But there's no way in hell I can ignore these shimmering spots and greyish "smudge" I see in the center of my vision. I even see the spots when I close my eye. I've been using my right eye again and, just like last time, am getting double vision because it's trying to center itself. So now I'm legally blind in both eyes. Left my job in Nov. 2019 because I didn't want to drive a delivery truck in this condition. Can't collect unemployment because I voluntarily left my job. Applied for disability with Social Security in Aug. 2020. They said it would take about 5 months to make a decision about getting benefits. Here it is, Sept. 2021 and I still haven't heard from them. There goes my savings account.

[@PureBavarian]

35 yrs of life, and today was the first time my doc mentioned it to me. Wasn't sure if this was a scam that he was trying to up-sale me on

[@PureBavarian]

@@BeeLZBeeb This was said to me while I was getting my eyes examed for an updated prescription. He just recommended special contacts that's supposedly helps with this condition

[@BeeLZBeeb]

@@PureBavarian oh I see, glad it helped

[@LaloRacer1]

Good evening! I actually have a small scar in my right eye that while to me it doesn't seem to interfere with my vision, it can definitely be seen by somebody else who is looking at my eye carefully. Nonetheless, glasses do seem to have an impact as far as the clearness on my vision in both eyes, even the one that does not have a scar. I know that this is definitely not enough information, but what are the chances that I could have my scar corrected with a medical procedure? If possible, how could this affect my vision? Regards!

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Hey Thanks for the great comment/question! Corneal scars, if located in the central cornea...can interfere with peoples vision. Otherwise peripheral scars may only cause slight glare or decreased contrast sensitivity. Oftentimes there is no treatment for small scars, but large scarring can require corneal transplants, which can provide good vision, but transplants only last on avg about 15 years. If your vision isnt affected...then I wouldn't worry about it.

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

What did you get the scar from?

[@LaloRacer1]

@@DoctorEyeHealth I'm not sure that I have an answer to that. I've had it for as long as I can remember. I'm not sure that it was congenital either. It indeed doesn't interfere with my vision in any of the mentioned ways. It has not progressively gotten worse or anything. I will definitely keep an eye out for any changes and disregard it as of right now as it does not present any major implications in my vision. Thank you so much for the insights!

[@intergalactic8569]

Same dude basically my lil sis stabed my right eye so thats why my eye has a scar but its healing had a talk whit my doc and he gave me some eye drops

[@ferguson8143]

@@DoctorEyeHealth I have multiple scars on my eyes to where I have had 2 different eye doctors refuse to treat me for contacts and I have had a lot of different eye infections throughout my life

[@orepurifier]

Watched the entirety of this through my astigmatic eye

[@edenschannel101]

I found out yesterday I had this really bad in my left eye. I ignored it because my right eyesight is perfect. But recently I've I've getting headaches due to eye strain and had to get my first ever pair of glasses at 16. I'm really embarrassed and nervous about what everyone at school is gonna think of me so wish me luck.

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

I bet they will be jealous of how cool you look!

[@gottluvNat]

I went to the eye doctor today and I have Astigmatism and I’m getting my glasses at the end of the month

[@NeferLioness]

I love the info on how to read my prescription! Now I understand what is going on with my vision.

[@xkaosxvpx8165]

I should be studying for my bio/chem quiz in like 2 hours but instead I’m learning about astigmatism

[@leotafaulkner8385]

"It is actually more common for the prescription when we are young to have an axis closer to the 180 line " me a 24 year old with one of my axis at 180 the other is 5

[@cwill2127]

24 is young though. Past adolescence, but nonetheless young. I’m 23 and have 180/140 axes

[@muzafferiqbal7113]

5 is actually only 5 degrees from 180, 180 is almost like zero as it’s the most horizontal. 90 is the opposite/furthest away from 180.

[@LegendaryVorZe]

They thing is, astigmatism itself isn’t annoying, its the money that you have to pour into making it better that makes it annoying -guy with permanent astigmatism

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Glasses, contact lenses, refractive surgery…yup

[@roddelfernando]

Good explanation doc. I have astigmatism on both eyes. Been wearing glasses for 9 yrs now.

[@staticluminenx]

I just got an eye test yesterday and im curious about it. This really helped me, thanks!

[@paradiseentertainment166]

Wow Ure really passionate about your job n such a great presentation

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Thank you for noticing! I'm just trying to be the doctor I would want to see.

[@theMNswede]

Thank you for this! It helps me understand my eyes better. It was nice meeting you yesterday. Good news, I don't have pneumonia!... Yet. Still sick though. I'll see you at my next checkup, and I'll keep sharing your videos!

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

😁😁😁😁

[@randyharrison4065]

I really apreciated your explanation. I has Lasic about 15 yrs ago. I am farsighted so still had to wear readers but it was still worth it. Anyway, the Dr. corrected my astigmatism back then but I now have mild astigmatism in my right eye (+1.75/-1.75/80/add 2.25) so I can get by without glasses, but sometimes the distortion is annoying. I've thought about wearing contacts for distance and just having to rely on readers again because I've not heard many good things about multifocal contacts. Could you do a video on Multifocals?

[@ellajane1039]

Thanks for the info I never know after 10 years of having it

[@robertcaro5062]

I agree with everyone who loves your explanations. Great combination of professionalism and personality. Most eye docs in my experience simply hand you a prescription at the end of the exam and remind you to come back in a year or two. I wonder what you consider the minimal amount of astigmatism calling for correction.

[@DoctorEyeHealth]

Hey thanks Robert! I appreciate your kind words. Assuming the patient has no other correction needed, and let's say they are an adult (as kids are still developing), I would say if the patient's vision is reduced, and having a problem. I would say at least (0.50-0.75 cycl) would be the cut off. That is where most vision plans will start to cover the rx. That little bit of astigmatism can sharpen things up and reduce eye strain for sure.