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Astigmatism is a common refractive eye condition that occurs when the cornea — the clear front surface of the eye — has an irregular shape. Instead of being perfectly round like a basketball, a cornea affected by astigmatism is more oval or spoon-shaped, similar to a football. This uneven curvature prevents light rays from focusing properly on the retina, leading to blurred or distorted vision at all distances.

In a healthy eye, the cornea and lens work together to focus light on a single point at the back of the eye. But with astigmatism, light is scattered across multiple points, making it difficult to see clearly. If you've ever looked through a wavy or warped pane of glass, that distorted view is similar to what someone with astigmatism may experience.

Astigmatism can occur on its own or along with other vision problems such as nearsightedness (myopia) or farsightedness (hyperopia). It often causes eye strain, headaches and difficulty seeing at night if left uncorrected.

Fortunately, astigmatism can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or laser eye surgery (such as LASIK), depending on your prescription and eye health.

Astigmatism is a common refractive error that can make your vision blurry or distorted. While some people may not notice symptoms, others experience noticeable vision problems that affect their daily life.

Common symptoms:

- Blurry or distorted vision

- Squinting to see clearly

- Frequent headaches

- Eye strain or fatigue

- Difficulty seeing at night (especially while driving)

In mild cases of astigmatism, symptoms may be so subtle you don’t even realize you have a vision problem. That’s why regular eye exams are essential—especially for children, who may not be able to express or recognize visual issues.

Pterygia are growths of tissue that appear on the conjunctiva, the thin membrane that covers the white part of the eye. Treatment for pterygia depends on the size, symptoms, and whether they are causing vision problems or discomfort.

Conservative Management:

Artificial Tears: Lubricating eye drops or ointments can help relieve dryness and irritation caused by pterygia.

Avoidance of Irritants: Protection from UV light and environmental irritants (such as wind, dust, and smoke) can help prevent pterygia from worsening.

Medications:

Steroid Eye Drops: These may be prescribed to reduce inflammation and swelling associated with pterygia, especially if they are causing significant discomfort.

Surgical Removal:

Excision: Surgical removal of the pterygium is often recommended if it causes persistent irritation, affects vision by encroaching on the cornea (astigmatism), or if it grows rapidly.

Simple Excision: This involves removing the pterygium and sometimes a small amount of healthy conjunctival tissue.

Conjunctival Autografting: After excision, a piece of healthy conjunctival tissue from another part of the eye is grafted onto the area to reduce the risk of recurrence.

Amniotic Membrane Grafting: In cases where the pterygium is large or recurrent, an amniotic membrane graft may be used to cover the area after excision to promote healing and reduce inflammation.

The choice of treatment depends on the severity of symptoms, the size and growth pattern of the pterygium, and the patient's overall eye health. Regular follow-up with an ophthalmologist is important to monitor for recurrence and ensure optimal eye health after treatment.

Pinguecula is a yellowish or whitish growth on the conjunctiva (the clear tissue covering the white part of the eye) that typically appears near the cornea. Treatment for pinguecula is focused on managing symptoms and preventing complications.

Your doctor will consider how severe the symptoms are before recommending a treatment.

If a pinguecula is mild, the doctor may prescribe lubricating eye drops. If significant swelling and inflammation are present, steroid eye drops or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug may be prescribed.

If the pinguecula interferes with vision, blinking, or wearing a contact lens, surgical removal may be recommended.