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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Can Astigmatism Be Treated?

Hi my son is just 21 months old and we recently found out he has astigmatism with RE +0.76, -4.25, 180° and LE +0.25, -4.25, 180°. He was very normal and could see far away as well as near things quite clearly. This came as a big shock when we went for his routine eye check up. Does he requires glasses, and what if he doesnt wear glasses ?
posted on Fri, 23 Jun 2017
Twitter Sun, 2 Jul 2017 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 3 Jul 2017 Last reviewed on
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Ophthalmologist,  's  Response
Hello,
Although your son has significant astigmatism, the fact that he's young can compensate his vision up to a certain point, as the lens we all have inside the eye is more flexible in children. That's why he can see near and far apparently very well.
That being said, a bilateral astigmatism greater than 2.50 Diopters is a cause of isoametropic amblyopia. A more common name for amblyopia is "lazy eye". This means that if he doesn't wear glasses, although he can partially compensate the astigmatism now, a normal visual acuity would not be reachable once he is older, with the consequences that an impairment in vision would bring. I would strongly suggest an examination by a Pediatric Ophthalmologist, as the result for treating refractive amblyopia is better, the sooner it is treated.
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How Can Astigmatism Be Treated?

Hello, Although your son has significant astigmatism, the fact that he s young can compensate his vision up to a certain point, as the lens we all have inside the eye is more flexible in children. That s why he can see near and far apparently very well. That being said, a bilateral astigmatism greater than 2.50 Diopters is a cause of isoametropic amblyopia. A more common name for amblyopia is lazy eye . This means that if he doesn t wear glasses, although he can partially compensate the astigmatism now, a normal visual acuity would not be reachable once he is older, with the consequences that an impairment in vision would bring. I would strongly suggest an examination by a Pediatric Ophthalmologist, as the result for treating refractive amblyopia is better, the sooner it is treated.