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What is astigmatism? Can I wear contacts if I have astigmatism?

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Astigmatism – it’s a term often heard in the world of eye care, yet many individuals may find themselves uncertain about what it truly means and how it affects vision. Fear not, for we’re here to shed light on this common refractive error and explore how our dedicated eye doctors, Dr. Mason Williams and Dr. Angela Harris, can help.

Astigmatism is a type of refractive error that occurs when the cornea or lens of the eye has an irregular shape, causing light to focus unevenly onto the retina. This irregular focusing results in blurred or distorted vision at all distances, making it difficult to see clearly without corrective measures.

Unlike nearsightedness (myopia) or farsightedness (hyperopia), which affect either distance or near vision, astigmatism can impact both, leading to visual discomfort and difficulty focusing on objects at any distance. Common symptoms of astigmatism include blurry vision, eyestrain, headaches, and difficulty driving at night.

How Our Eye Doctors Can Help

  1. Comprehensive Eye Examinations: The first step in addressing astigmatism is a comprehensive eye examination conducted by our experienced eye doctors at Lake Norman Eye Care in Mooresville, NC. During this examination, we will assess your visual acuity, refractive error, and corneal curvature to diagnose astigmatism accurately.
  2. Customized Prescription Lenses: Once diagnosed, our eye doctors will prescribe customized corrective lenses tailored to your unique vision needs.
  3. Contact Lens Fitting: If you prefer contact lenses over glasses, our eye doctors can perform a contact lens fitting to determine the best type and fit of contact lenses for your astigmatism. Toric contact lenses are specifically designed to correct astigmatism and are available in various materials and modalities to suit your lifestyle and preferences.
  4. Refractive Surgery Consultation: In some cases, refractive surgery may be considered as a permanent solution for correcting astigmatism. Our eye doctors can provide referrals and consultations for various surgical options, such as LASIK or PRK, to determine if you are a suitable candidate for vision correction surgery.

Embracing Clearer Vision, One Step at a Time

At Lake Norman Eye Care, we want to empower you to achieve and maintain optimal vision and eye health. Whether you’re struggling with astigmatism or other vision challenges, our compassionate eye doctors is here to provide personalized care and innovative solutions to help you see the world with clarity and confidence.

Written by Dr. Mason Williams

Dr. Mason Williams is a passionate, full-scope Optometrist who enjoys seeing patients of all ages. He takes great pride in listening to patients to provide comprehensive eye-care that best meets their visual needs. His special interests include RGP/scleral contact lens fittings and the treatment and management of ocular disease.

After obtaining his B.S. in Mathematics from Benedictine University in Lisle, IL, he went on to earn his Doctor of Optometry from Southern College of Optometry (SCO) in Memphis, TN. He completed extern rotations at Eye Specialist Associates in Memphis, TN and the James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in Greatlakes, IL. During his rotations, he received extensive training to best help patients with a variety of their eye-care needs including pediatrics, geriatrics, cataract surgery co-management, Pre-LASIK consultations, ocular disease, as well as strabismus and amblyopia. While at SCO, Dr. Williams served as president of the Illinois State club and was a member of the Beta Sigma Kappa International Honor society.

Since graduating SCO, Dr. Williams has practiced alongside multiple Ophthalmology subspecialties to co-manage a variety of acute and chronic ocular disease cases. He hopes to be your trusted healthcare provider for whatever eye care problems you need addressed.

Originally from the Chicago suburbs, Dr. Williams and his wife (Heather) have enjoyed living in multiple parts of the U.S. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with their 2 children, traveling, and eating out.

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