Astigmatism Center - Lowell, MA
Lowell Eye Doctor Doctors for AstigmatismType of Physician: Eye Doctor What is a Eye Doctor? A certification by the Board of Ophthalmology; practitioners provide comprehensive eye and vision care. They are trained to diagnose, monitor and medically or surgically treat all eyelid and orbital problems affecting the eye and visual pathways, and to diagnose, monitor and treat all eye and visual disorders. They often prescribe vision services (glasses and contact lenses) as well as serve as a consultant to physicians and other professionals. Specialty: Ophthalmology Common Name: Eye Doctor Eye Doctor Doctors in Lowell * Massachusetts Eye Associates  Massachusetts Eye Associates  Massachusetts Eye Associates  Merrimack Eye Clinic  Massachusetts Eye Associates  Stephen J Poor III MD PC  Massachusetts Eye Associates  Family Eye Care Center  Lexington Eye Associates  Lexington Eye Associates  Lexington Eye Associates  Lexington Eye Associates  Lexington Eye Associates  Lexington Eye Associates  Arrigg Eye & Ear Associates  Arrigg Eye & Ear Associates  Arrigg Eye & Ear Associates  Arrigg Eye & Ear Associates  Arrigg Eye & Ear Associates  Robert E Kellan MD  Macoul Eye Associates  Tallman Eye Associates  Tallman Eye Associates  Tallman Eye Associates  Tallman Eye Associates  Tallman Eye Associates  Tallman Eye Associates  Andover Eye Associates  Andover Eye Associates  Eye Associates PC  Eye Associates PC  Andover Eye Associates  Andover Eye Associates  Andover Eye Associates  Eye Associates PC  Andover Eye Associates  Eye Associates PC  Children's Hospital Boston Ophthalmology  Children's Hospital Boston Ophthalmology  Eye Associates PC  Eye Associates PC  Eye Associates PC  Lahey Clinic Medical Center Ophthalmology  Lahey Clinic Medical Center Ophthalmology  Lahey Clinic Medical Center Ophthalmology  Lahey Clinic Medical Center Ophthalmology  Lahey Clinic Medical Center Ophthalmology  Lexington Eye Associates  Lexington Eye Associates  Lexington Eye Associates  Lexington Eye Associates  Lexington Eye Associates  Lexington Eye Associates  Lexington Eye Associates  Martin E Cutler MD  Martin E Cutler MD  D'Ambrosio Eye Care  D'Ambrosio Eye Care  D'Ambrosio Eye Care  Talamo Laser Eye Consultants  North Suburban Eye Associates  North Shore Ophthalmology  North Suburban Eye Associates  North Suburban Eye Associates  Cornea Consultants  Ophthalmic Consultants Of Boston  Ophthalmic Consultants Of Boston  Ophthalmic Consultants Of Boston  Ophthalmic Consultants Of Boston  American Vision Association  Valley Eye Physicians & Surgeons  Valley Eye Physicians & Surgeons  Valley Eye Physicians & Surgeons  Valley Eye Physicians & Surgeons  Glenn P Kimball Jr. MD  Children's Hospital Boston Ophthalmology  Children's Hospital Boston Ophthalmology  Dornfeld Eye Center  Putnoi Putnoi & Richler MDs  Putnoi Putnoi & Richler MDs  Putnoi Putnoi & Richler MDs  Miriam Dougherty MD  Ernst Meyer MD  Robert G Alexander MD  Horsley Eye Center  Ophthalmic Consultants Of Boston  Lahey Clinic Medical Center Ophthalmology  Lahey Clinic Medical Center Ophthalmology  Paul Barsam MD  Charles A Barsam MD  Stephen Youngwirth MD  Michael Olstein MD  Jason N Gilbert MD  Retina Specialists of Boston Inc  Retina Specialists of Boston Inc  North Shore Ophthalmology  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates Somerville  Retina Specialists of Boston Inc  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates Somerville  Larry Roth MD Lowell, MassachusettsUpcoming Local Events2012-05-26
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AstigmatismRead the Astigmatism article » What Is Astigmatism?Astigmatism is a common eye condition that's easily corrected by eyeglasses, contact lenses or surgery. Astigmatism is characterized by an irregular curvature of the cornea. This is one type of refractive error. Astigmatism occurs in nearly everybody to some degree. For significant curvature, treatment is required. A person's eye is naturally spherical in shape. Under normal circumstances, when light enters the eye, it refracts evenly, creating a clear view of the object. However, the eye of a person with astigmatism is shaped more like a football or the back of a spoon. For this person, when light enters the eye it is refracted more in one direction than the other, allowing only part of the object to be in focus at one time. Objects at any distance can appear blurry and wavy.
What Causes Astigmatism?Astigmatism can be hereditary and is often present at birth. It can also result from pressure from the eyelids on the cornea, incorrect posture or an increased use of the eyes for close work.
What Are the Symptoms of Astigmatism?People with undetected astigmatism often experience headaches, fatigue, eyestrain and blurred vision at all distances. While these symptoms may not necessarily be the result of astigmatism, you should schedule an eye exam if you are experiencing one or more symptoms. How Are Astigmatisms Diagnosed?Your optometrist or ophthalmologist can diagnose astigmatism with a thorough eye exam. Astigmatism may occur with other refractive errors such as myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness). Unfortunately, astigmatism often goes undetected in school-age children. Because astigmatisms may increase slowly, you should visit your optometrist or ophthalmologist whenever you notice significant changes in your vision. Optometrists are tra... Recommended Reading Related to AstigmatismWhat is LASIK?LASIK stands for laser in situ keratomileusis, which means using a laser underneath a corneal flap (in situ) to reshape the cornea (keratomileusis). This procedure utilizes a highly specialized laser (excimer laser) designed to treat refractive errors, improve vision, and reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses. This laser procedure alters the shape of the cornea, which is the transparent front covering of the eye. Though the excimer laser had been used for many years before, the development of LASIK is generally credited to Ioannis Pallikaris from Greece around 1991.
How does LASIK work?During the LASIK procedure, a specially trained eye surgeon first creates a precise, thin hinged corneal flap using a microkeratome. The surgeon then pulls back the flap to expose the underlying corneal tissue, and then the excimer laser ablates (reshapes) the cornea in a unique pre-specified p... Other Related Astigmatism ArticlesEmergency Contact for Lowell
Nearby Lowell Hospitals *Saints Medical Center Lowell General Hospital HC Solomon Mental Health Center Tewksbury Hospital Isham Health Center Caritas Holy Family Hospital and Medical Center Lawrence General Hospital Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital Northeast Rehabilitation Health Network Southern New Hampshire Medical Center St Joseph Hospital Lahey Clinic Medical Center Emerson Hospital Nashoba Valley Medical Center HEALTHSOUTH New England Rehabilitation Hospital Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital Haverhill Merrimack Valley Hospital Winchester Hospital Baldpate Hospital Parkland Medical Center Hampstead Hospital Melrose Wakefield Hospital McLean Hospital Lawrence Memorial Hospital North Shore Medical Center Somerville Hospital Kindred Hospital Boston North Shore Mount Auburn Hospital Whidden Memorial Hospital Youville Hospital and Rehabilitation Center Cambridge Hospital Newton Wellesley Hospital Caritas St Elizabeth's Medical Center Franciscan Hospital for Children Lawrence F Quigley Memorial Hospital Kindred Hospital Boston Arbour HRI Hospital North Shore Children's Hospital Salem Hospital & the Birthplace Beverly Hospital M I T Medical Shaughnessy-Kaplan Rehabilitation Hospital Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Massachusetts General Hospital Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary Shriners Hospitals for Children Boston Burn Hospital UMass Memorial Marlborough Hospital Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Children's Hospital Boston Dana Farber Cancer Institute Brigham & Women's Hospital HealthAlliance Hospital Leominster Campus Tufts New England Medical Center Elliot Hospital New England Baptist Hospital VA Boston Healthcare System Jamaica Plain Campus Anna Jaques Hospital UMass Memorial Clinton Hospital Boston Medical Center Arbour Hospital Health Alliance Burbank Hospital Kindred Specialty Hospital Natick MetroWest Medical Center Leonard Morse Hospital Radius Specialty Hospital Boston Bournewood Hospital Catholic Medical Center MetroWest Medical Center Framingham Union Hospital Faulkner Hospital Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital Needham Hebrew Rehabilitation Center for the Aged Lemuel Shattuck Hospital Manchester VA Medical Center Massachusetts Mental Health Center VA Boston Healthcare System West Roxbury Campus Westborough State Hospital Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
Suggested Reading on Astigmatism by Our Doctors
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Related Diseases & Conditions
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Headache
- Headaches can be divided into two categories: primary headaches and secondary headaches. Migraine headaches, tension headaches, and cluster headaches are considered primary headaches. Secondary headaches are caused by disease. Headache symptoms vary with the headache type. Over-the-counter pain relievers provide short-term relief for most headaches.
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Fatigue
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Eye Strain
- Eye strain is a symptom caused by looking at something for a long time. Symptoms and signs include redness, light sensitivity, headaches, and blurred vision. Symptoms may be treated by closing the eyes and taking a break from the visual task.
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Myopia
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Contact Lenses: Colored, Soft, Hard, Toric and Bifocal
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Eyeglasses, Sunglasses, and Magnifying Glasses
- Nonprescription eyeglasses are available over the counter (OTC) and are typically used by people who can no longer read fine print. OTC trifocals are helpful for those who require multiple distances or focal lengths for near and intermediate tasks. OTC sunglasses should offer 100% protection from the sun's UVA and UVB rays. OTC magnifying glasses are useful for viewing tiny objects or fine print.
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Farsightedness
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