Whilst you’re enjoying the festive season, taking a closer look at the decorations might make you aware of a common eye problem
Taking a good look at your tree’s Christmas lights could help you determine whether you need to see an optician. It could reveal a common problem that millions of people have.
Optometrist Bridget Zoellner, who goes by the username @Bridgettheeyedoctor on TikTok, put different lenses in front of the camera, pointed at her Christmas tree, and asked viewers to watch. With each change, the festive lights got progressively more blurry and streaky.
But this is an all too common condition that many people worldwide unknowingly have. It’s called astigmatism and is a medical condition that means your eyes are shaped differently.
According to the NHS, astigmatism normally occurs alongside short-sightedness or long-sightedness. Compared to a ‘normal’ rounded eyeball, someone with astigmatism has more curved eyes that are shaped like a rugby ball.
You could be dealing with astigmatism if you notice symptoms like blurred vision or headaches. Eye strain is often a common sign that people might notice more after long spells of concentration, such as when using a computer.
Astigmatism does not always need to be treated. But, in some cases, you can help ease any headaches or strain with the help of glasses, contact lenses and laser surgery.
There are several tests you can do at home that might point towards astigmatism as the cause of your eye troubles. But only a health expert can diagnose you and help you plan out your next steps properly, should you need to see an optician.
Many people remain unaware of this issue until it’s highlighted by a professional, often dismissing symptoms as mere side effects of daily stress. But, it’s very important to diagnose this condition as it could become much more serious.
The NHS reports that those with astigmatism can have a condition called keratoconus. This is an issue in which the normally round dome-shaped clear window of the eye (cornea) progressively thins, causing a cone-like bulge to develop.
It eventually impairs the ability of the eye to focus properly, potentially causing poor vision. This makes having regular eye checks important so this can be prevented.
