If you wear glasses or contacts you have likely heard the term astigmatism before. If you have been diagnosed with this eye disorder you likely know how frustrating this condition can be and the limits it can present to finding comfortable glasses and contacts.
But what is astigmatism really and can you do anything to improve the condition?
What is Astigmatism?
Astigmatism is a condition of the eye in which the cornea has an irregular or odd shape. This makes light reflect through the eye and on to the retina in an uneven manner and causes focus problems, making your vision blurry.
While most people believe that astigmatism is a genetic condition, and that there is nothing that can be done to improve it other than wearing contacts, or having risky refractive surgery, this may not be the case.
There are actually indications that stress of the eye can cause, or more often worsen the condition, and that eliminating these stressors can improve astigmatism of the eye.
There are actually two different types of astigmatism: regular and irregular.
Regular astigmatism is the type most often referred to, and it is often described as an irregular shape of the eye, or football shaped eye that is often genetic.
Irregular astigmatism, on the other hand, is usually caused by damage to the eye usually requires surgery or contacts to improve. While both these types are caused by often unavoidable factors, ocular stress has been shown to aggravate both types.
Ocular Stress and How to Avoid it
Ocular stress can be caused by a number of stressors including:
- Extended hours of computer use: Many jobs now involve computers. Long hours of sitting in front of a computer screen can cause eye strain and stress. If you are required to do this kind of work make sure that you take the time to give your eyes a break. Added to the increased use of computers in the work place is the fact that many of us now have computers in our homes. Remember to take breaks from the computer, at least vision breaks.
- Reading: Reading books or newspapers was hard enough on our eyes. Now we also have to take into consideration electronic reading devices like Kindle, Nook, or tablets. This means that even after working with a computer during the day, you may be coming home and spending even more time in front of an electronic screen. This is just adding to the eye strain and stress.
- A job that requires a considerable amount of fine detailed work: Detailed work does not mean that you have to be a master craftsman to worry about this type of stress. Any work that you do fairly close to your face like reading, writing, sewing, or accounting could be considered to be detailed work. Our eyes were just not designed for too much close up work. They were designed to view things at more of a distance.
Ocular stress can also be aggravated by a variety of things including:
- working or watching television in low light
- not getting enough water
- lack of nutrients can also cause weakening of the eyes
Improving any of these stressors, or better yet all of them will possibly improve your astigmatism, or even more likely prevent the condition from getting any worse!
Let’s Look at What We Can Do to Avoid Ocular Stress
When you are working at a computer, reading, or doing other fine detailed work, make sure that you take the time to give your eyes a break. Look up and focus on something distant from you.
If you have a window handy look at a tree, flower, another building or even the clouds. Don’t just glance up and back take the time to focus on what you see outside the window for a few seconds.
If you’re not near a window focus on something in the room that is distant from where you are such as art work on the wall, filing cabinets, shelves, or even another workers face.
Blink. Seriously blinking is important and when we are focused on a computer screen or other detailed work we forget to blink. Blinking allows our eyes to lubricate themselves and relieve some of the stress and dryness.
Make sure that you have excellent lighting in the area where you are working. Even with an overhead light you should have task lighting that focuses on what your are doing. Straining to see when there is insufficient light causes strain and stress on your eyes.
Eat right. If you don’t have time for an eye healthy diet then make sure that you are taking an eye vitamin or eye supplement to ensure that your eyes have all the vitamins and nutrients that they need.
These may sound like they are too simple to actually make a difference in how your eyes function. They are simple, but because of that fact many people just don’t think about doing them. Instead of giving their eyes a break they will normally rub their eyes, or the bridge of their noses. This doesn’t relieve the strain and stress in fact it can damage the eye if they are already dry.
Air conditioning and heater also dry out the air, this leads to irritation and stress on our eyes. Try adding a humidifier to your home or ask your employer about adding one in the office.
Sometimes the simple things are the easiest to overlook. On the plus side, the simple things are also usually the easiest to correct.
This amazing course will teach you how to improve your vision naturally without glasses, contacts or laser surgery.
My son has an extremely strong astigmatism in one eye. We have done patching therapy and with glasses he is now able to see 20/25. 25 being in his bad eye. The eye doctor said there wasn’t anything that could be done for that eye. Do you think your program could help with his severe astigmatism?
Hi Amy,
The Rebuild Your Vision program can help to improve common vision problems such as astigmatism.
The exercises and techniques are designed to strengthen and relax your visual system just as you would any other weak part of your body, improving your vision and helping you to see clearly — naturally.
The catch is dedicating 25 minutes a day to the exercises and techniques. The program is very easy-to-follow and is laid out in a step-by-step, minute-by-minute format. Once you receive the package you can begin the exercises within 10-15 minutes. Most people see a marked improvement within the first few weeks, with significant improvements in the following 2-3 months.
To your vision — for life,
Orlin
Do you have any answers for eye floaters what can lessen them?
Hi,
I have a very high degree of astigmatism. I came to know about my problem when I was 18 years old. Now I am 30. I suffer a lot of this problem but can’t wear glasses. I never continue wearing glasses till now and living with a hope that there is something that could help me to cure it.
Orlin,
I have been using your rebuild your vision program for almost six months… and I have been seeing good results.
I haven’t done the exercises on a consistent basis though. That’s why I haven’t been able to get 20/20 fast. I’d do for 10 days, stop and then start 10 days later.
But now I’m doing the exercises religiously and I just did a check up with my doctor.
Here are my results:
Right Eye:
Sphere – 2.25
Cylinder – 0.25
Axis – 180 or 18(his handwriting isn’t clear)
Vision – 6/5
Left Eye:
Sphere – 2.50
Cylinder – 0.50
Axis – 180 or 18
Vision -6/5
I’d like to reduce this prescription by at least 0.5 but the doctor isn’t doing so.
I was at 3.5 when I started working on the program.(Myopia)
But now as you can see my eyesight has improved well.
Earlier, I just used to buy glasses with a reduced spherical prescription and it worked for me.
But I think the spherical also needs to be reduced in order for faster improvement and less eye strain.
My current glasses have the following power:
RE:
SPH:2.00
Cyl:0.50
Axis:180
Vision:6/5
LE:
SPH:2.00
Cyl:1.0
Axis:170
Vision:6/5
I haven’t messed around with the cylindrical prescription for my lenses. But I think excess cylindrical power also causes certain eye issues.
Right now, my eyes feel irritated whenever I wear glasses. It’s just not easy as it used to be to wear glasses at the current power.
I’d like to reduce it in a manner that will help me improve my vision fast.
Can you please assist me with this? I’d be so grateful if you could help me with this.
I do not have any idea what is cylindrical for and that’s why I’m worried about messing with it.
Thanks,
Harry
PS: To guys reading this, eye exercises do work and Orlin’s Rebuild Your Vision is the best eye exercise program available in the whole planet.
I have messed around with eye exercises from Ebooks and other video programs. None of it worked because they didn’t have the kit.
Orlin’s program works because of the kit and proper routines. You will get results if you start doing the exercises religiously.
25 minutes a day is an overstatement.
Actually, you need to spend about 40 minutes a day(max) doing the eye exercises until you learn them all.
But once we learn it, the exercises take about 25-30 mins a day.
But it’s well worth it in the long run.
Thank you, Orlin.
Hi Harry,
Thanks for sharing your story and congratulations on your successes so far. It sounds like you are progressing wonderfully!
Your doctor is the best person to prescribe a proper reduced prescription for you. It really varies from person to person and what the condition is.
Best of continued success and be sure to let us know if there’s anything we can do to help.
To your vision — for life,
Orlin
Hi Sandra,
We are currently doing research on eye floaters and will post a blog soon on this topic.
To your vision — for life,
Orlin
Dude, can anything done for healing keratoconus ?
Hi , i would like to know which method is the fastest to perfect vision? And how is it done? Thanks
Hi Vinayak,
Keratoconus is degeneration of the structure of the cornea. The cornea is the clear tissue covering the front of the eye. The shape of the cornea slowly changes from the normal round shape to a cone shape.
Since this is a medical condition I would recommend speaking to your eye doctor. To find the right eye doctor, please read the following post on “Knowing Your Eye Doctor”.
http://www.rebuildyourvision.com/blog/eye-doctors/knowing-your-eye-doctor/
To your vision — for life,
Orlin
Hi Christopher,
The fastest way is through Lasik Surgery.
I often get asked about how the results of my Rebuild Your Vision Program compare to the popular LASIK Eye Surgery option. While I certainly cannot guarantee that my program will offer the immediate results that LASIK surgery can, comparing the two is really like comparing apples and oranges.
To read more about the benefits and risks of Lasik Surgery please read the following post.
http://www.rebuildyourvision.com/blog/lasik/lasik-eye-surgery-risks-and-benefits/
To your vision — for life,
Orlin
Thank you!
Hi Orlin,
I have had Lasek surgery to reduce my Myopia from -6 (RE) and -6.50 (LE). The result 8 months after surgery is; -1.00 in both eyes.
Could you please let me know how much of a chance there is of improving my vision to 20/20?
If there is still room for improvement could you please let me know up to how much should I expect?
and how long would it take to achieve a better prescription and even 20/20 doing eye exercises only?
I look forward to your answer.
Thanks
H.
Hi Helene,
Lasik surgery helps to correct your vision by physically reshaping the cornea and adjusting the focal point of the light entering your eye. This has no bearing or effect on how our program works. The exercises and techniques are designed to strengthen and relax the muscles of your eye just as you would any other weak part of your body, improving your vision and helping you to see clearly — naturally.
The catch is dedicating 25 minutes a day to the exercises and techniques. The program is very easy-to-follow and is laid out in a step-by-step, minute-by-minute format. Once you receive the package you can begin the exercises within 10-15 minutes. Most people see a marked improvement within the first few weeks, with significant improvements in the following 2-3 months.
There’s a great testimonial from a woman with your same condition (prior Lasik) that I recently spoke with. Her name is “Pearl” and her story can be read at:
http://www.rebuildyourvision.com/testimonials
To your vision — for life,
Orlin
I just recently been told that I have astigmatism however, I have noticed that I can see perfectly fine at night and in low light. I also have the eyefloaters. I also cant wear glasses, I have never been able to wear them and I cant even wear sun glasses for more than 5 minutes without needing to take them off. I have normally had really great vision until about 8 months ago when I went into the store and all the lights started to hurt my eyes and make everything blurry and hard to focus. I was also told that the eye floaters and the astigmatism are not related. I am not sure what to do but I need to be able to see clearly since I work on the computer for at least 9 hrs a day.
Hi Mr. Orlin, your rebuild vision program is great. When I did not wear my eyeglass, my eyes improve. I just want to know if I bought new eyeglass if it is OK if I can use 1.25 in left side rather than 1.50 that my doctor prescribe to me and on my right side of my eye is the same 1.50 and I will use 1.50.
My latest eye vision is 1.50 on both eyes.
Thank you,
Lucy
Hi Lucy,
We recommend having multi level goals when using the Rebuild Your Vision Program. The first goal is to prevent further deterioration of your vision and reduce your dependency on glasses or contacts.
This can be done in the first few days with simple techniques and habits that are outlined in our program. The second goal is to improve your vision to a desired level. While your vision is improving you may need to obtain a new lens prescription so that your current prescription does not overcompensate for your vision improvement.
Many people are able to make this transition without doing so, but if required it is a small sacrifice for the benefits you will obtain.
To your vision — for life,
Orlin
hi, i have a nephew who has an eye problem called nastagmus. can you can you give me any information on it and how it can be managed.
Orlin, thank you so much for all the valuable information.
Is astigmatism the same as keratacornea?
Is there any natural help for advanced keratacornea?
The recommendation was a cornea transplant.
Also, a 31 year old guy has been told that his optic nerve was damaged beyond repair and his only recourse is to join the Blind Welfare Association. The eye pressure is sky high.
He was heavily into body building and he believes his vision was compromised as a result of the continuous use of concentrated high protein foods.
Is there any help for him?
Thanks for the response.
Hi
I have to increase degree of astigmatism in my eyes. i am 24 years old and number of one eye is 4 and other is 4.25 and i want increase 2 diopters. is it possible?
Hi Bobi,
The Rebuild Your Vision program can help to improve common vision problems such as astigmatism.
The exercises and techniques are designed to strengthen and relax your visual system just as you would any other weak part of your body, improving your vision and helping you to see clearly — naturally.
The catch is dedicating 25 minutes a day to the exercises and techniques. The program is very easy-to-follow and is laid out in a step-by-step, minute-by-minute format. Once you receive the package you can begin the exercises within 10-15 minutes. Most people see a marked improvement within the first few weeks, with significant improvements in the following 2-3 months.
Even higher degrees of correction can be helped with our program but it will likely take more time and dedication on your part. The exercises have been designed to be adjusted for all ranges of clarity.
All the best,
Orlin
Hi Dinah,
Unfortunately the Rebuild Your Vision Program will not help medical conditions like nastagmus. It was designed for normal refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, aging vision/presbyopia, astigmatism, and computer vision syndrome.
All the best,
Orlin
Hi,
My 5 year old son has severe astigmatism. Will this program help him to minimise his astigmatism. Unfortunately he does not do eye exercise for more than 5 mins in a day. So pls suggest me which exercises will be more beneficial for him and for how many mins he needs to do exercise per day.
Thanks
Hi Pallavi,
The Rebuild Your Vision Program can help to improve common vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. We recommend that your child be old enough to understand the basic ideas and principles of the Program (age 10-12).
In the meantime, this book may help you:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0892811307/103-8593280-0547851?v=glance
All the best,
Orlin
Hi, my name is Marcus and I have been told for years that I have a slight astigmatism. I was reading up that you can do eye excercises to help improve your eyesgight. I was wondering, are you suppouse to be wearing your glasses/contacts while doing these excercises? I know without my contacts, one eye is at 20/200 but i do not know the other. I am trying to enlist in the Air Force, but I’ve been told that the will not accept me if my eyesight is worse then that. I am hoping that I can improve my eyesight enough so I am allowed to Join.
Thanks for your help.
Hi Marcus,
Completing the exercises without corrective lenses or with a slightly reduced prescription is the goal.
Take a look at Pages 31-33, 40 and the chapter beginning on page 18 in the Rebuild Your Vision manual which describe the use of glasses and contacts in great detail.
Please let me know if you have any further questions!
All the best,
Orlin
i am suffering from myopia please help:( i hate glasses and lenses
Hi Orlin,
I’ve had lasik surgery 3 years ago. My vision was perfect then.
I have been using my laptop for at least 5 hours a day (my work requires it). I do not have myopia but have significant astigmatism now.
Is there anything I could do to improve it?
Lasik surgery helps to correct your vision by physically reshaping the cornea and adjusting the focal point of the light entering your eye. This has no bearing or effect on how our program works. The exercises and techniques are designed to strengthen and relax the muscles of your eye just as you would any other weak part of your body, improving your vision and helping you to see clearly — naturally.
The catch is dedicating 25 minutes a day to the exercises and techniques. The program is very easy-to-follow and is laid out in a step-by-step, minute-by-minute format. Once you receive the package you can begin the exercises within 10-15 minutes. Most people see a marked improvement within the first few weeks, with significant improvements in the following 2-3 months.
There’s a great testimonial from a woman with your same condition (prior Lasik) that I recently spoke with. Her name is “Pearl” and her story can be read at: http://www.rebuildyourvision.com/success_stories/
i have -0.5 cly astigmatism.if join rebuild your vision then should i take care of food(ex: Vegetable etc.).but i condition are such that i can not take care of food.
now in this condition will it work or not.