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It enables us to avoid falling into holes and oncoming cars on the street. It allows us to contact and to avoid things we don’t want. According to we rely too so heavily upon vision that it is usually considered the dominant human sense. But unfortunately, many people are suffering from many kinds of eye disturbances which one of these is the astigmatism that may conjunct to near- sighted or farsighted. Even those very young kids and children who are going to school have this kind of problem (Kumar’, 2012); which can really have an effect on their learning, particularly in their school performance.
It can somehow be a hindrance and a disadvantage on their part, depending on its condition if it is severe or not. According to Kumara (2012) astigmatism is a condition of irregular curvature of the cornea or the lens of the eye where the light cannot focus on the retina, which leads to blurred vision. Astigmatism is a fairly common problem of the eye. Many times it goes undetected, even by the person who has an irregularly curved cornea or lens. It is also one of a group of eye conditions known as refractive errors which can cause a disturbance in the way that light rays are focused within the eye.
Astigmatism often occurs with near-sightedness and farsightedness, conditions that may result from refractive errors. Astigmatism is not a disease nor does it mean that you have “bad eyes. ” It simply meaner that you have a variation or disturbance in the shape of your cornea. Astigmatism is of two types – corneal astigmatism and alienating astigmatism. When the cornea has an irregular curvature on one side, it is known as corneal astigmatism, and when the lens has an irregular curvature, it is known as alienating astigmatism. No one really knows what causes astigmatism.
In a tenant with it, the cornea or sometimes the lens of the eye is curved abnormally. It can be usually present at birth, but sometimes is caused by disease. It can also be hereditary. Sometimes people develop the condition after cataract or cornea surgery. However, it might develop after a trauma, which results in scarring of the cornea, or injury to the eye. Many people also develop astigmatism as a side effect of eye surgery. In studying this certain problem, the researchers would like to know the effects of astigmatism (near-sighted and far-sighted) on the learning process of a hill.
And by knowing this, the researchers can help and guide those children who nave astigmatism on the right and proper way to dealing Witt this problem. The researchers can also help the parent’s with a child that’s patient of astigmatism on how they can assist and guide their child themselves; and also the researchers can give knowledge and help teachers whose students are with astigmatism on the right and proper way of dealing with them in their class especially in giving them a kind consideration and an excuse, if necessary.
The researchers also want to give tips for he people on how to take care of their vision; giving some advices, information, and the appropriate strategies to be applied regarding this kind of eye disturbance. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY Astigmatism is particularly difficult to diagnose in children, and parent’s should look out for signs and symptoms of this visual disorder and help their children on dealing with this eye disturbance. The main symptoms of astigmatism are blurred and distorted vision at any distance due to the eye’s inability to properly refract light.
According to Kumara (2012), it is one of the most common vision problems that affects nearly 20% of all children. When the signs are visible, it can be corrected with the help of glasses, contact lenses or surgery. The development of the eye in the womb is determined by several factors including the inherent genetic factors and the environment. A slight aberration in these may cause astigmatism. It can also be hereditary or caused due to improper posture. Symptoms may vary from headache, fatigue, eyestrain to different degree of blurred vision or squinting.
Some people with very high degrees of astigmatism may have cornea problems such as keratinous. Squinting the eyes to see objects both near and far is also one of the common homonyms of astigmatism. Squinting alters light refraction and can offer temporary and slight vision improvement. Eye strain can be painful and results from the eyes overworking to correct irregular light refraction. It may feel like the eyes ache and cannot be relaxed. On the case of an eye fatigue, it happens when the eyes overwork themselves to counteract astigmatism; they may become exhausted and may lead to fatigued.
It may feel relieving to keep the eyes shut. Blurry vision, eye strain and fatigue may lead to vision-related headaches. These headaches are usually recurring and in the same area. To help us understand more information about astigmatism, the following symptoms can help us: * Distortion or blurring of images at all distances * Headache and fatigue * Squinting and eye discomfort or irritation * Distorted or blurred image. * Discomfort or irritation in eyes. * Difficulty focusing on printed words or lines. * Headache * Fatigue in eyes * Children may tilt or turn their head to get clearer image. Inability to see objects, both near and far, without squinting. One of the earliest signs of astigmatism is difficulty in seeing words and alphabets written on the blackboard. If the child narrows his eyes to look at distant objects or holds a book too close to his eyes to read, then en might be guttering trot astigmatism. The child might also have difficulty in reading and might suffer from poor concentration levels. The child may also complain of headaches and blurry vision. It is best to consult an eye specialist, who can help in diagnosing the problem, if any.
It will be hard on the part of the child with astigmatism to encounter all of these difficulties, especially when one has to go to school and study. It can somehow be a big hindrance on their part to cope up with the different activities in their school, most especially the reading and the writing part. But there are many newly- discovered treatments and aids which are still increasing in numbers nowadays; it’s also because of the increasing opportunity that the technology can have for us in this generation. Astigmatism can be corrected with the use of eyeglasses, lenses and eye surgery.
Prescribing corrective lenses is the most common treatment. Corrective lenses compensate for the irregular curve of the cornea, such that the image from the lens is properly focused on the retina. Both type of corrective lenses, eyeglasses and contact lenses, can be used for treating astigmatism. However, corrective lenses are not required if a person has minor astigmatism and does not suffer from any other form of refractive errors like nearsightedness or farsightedness. Corrective lenses for astigmatism are called Doric lenses that have greater light bending properties.
The correct lens for vision correction for astigmatism is decided after the eye doctor (ophthalmologists) or the optometrist, one who is an expert on testing the vision and prescribing eyeglasses to correct eye defects; performing a couple of diagnostic tests on the patient. He can also give better advice on you to which type of restrictive lenses will be suitable for your child. Contact lenses are generally prescribed to those children (or patients of any age) who often develop headache, eyestrain, or distortion of vision due to frequent tilting of their heads to see clearly.
The effect of astigmatism can also be produced by misalignment of the cornea lens. Astigmatic vision is corrected by meaner of lenses that refract the light rays to the proper degree in precisely the opposite direction of that produced by the defects in the refractive surfaces of the cornea or lens of the eye. If the degree of astigmatism is light and no other problems of refraction, such as nearsightedness or farsightedness, corrective lenses may not be needed. If the degree of astigmatism is great enough to cause eyestrain, headache, or distortion of vision, prescription lenses will be needed for clear and comfortable vision.
The other option to treat astigmatism is refractive surgery. The curvature of the cornea is corrected with the help of laser eye surgery. However in order to perform the surgery, the eye doctor has to make sure that the patient does not have any problem in the retina, scar on the corneal surface or any other eye problem. Surgical treatments include ALASKA or Putrefactive Crematory (PARK). ALASKA involves reshaping of the cornea by removing corneal tissue with the help of a laser beam. The removal of corneal tissue allows better refraction of light and hence formation of a clear image.
Putrefactive Crematory (PARK) surgical treatment involves removing tissue directly from the surface of eye so as to change the curvature of the eye. This brings the cornea back in shape, which allows appropriate refraction of light, and hence, vision correction. CONCLUSION Living a elite Witt difficulties and impairments is not easy; but one should learn now to ell with it and live with it in order for him to continue and enjoy life. No one really knows what causes astigmatism. Since there isn’t a sure and known cause for astigmatism, there isn’t a way to prevent it.
But in our time today, a person with astigmatism (even on child) is very common and because of that there are different kinds of tests and machines that were formed by the help of the technology and new eye care products have been popping up in the marketplace to help people with the condition. Since it is possible for very young kids to have astigmatism, it is very important that parent’s should learn to recognize the symptoms. And if there are persons who should support and monitor the situation of children with astigmatism is none other than their parent’s, themselves.
It is time for the parent’s to be responsible in meeting their children’s needs and help them with their vision disorder. It is the time that parent’s should show to their child their love. Most especially, astigmatism is difficult to diagnose when the patients are Just little ones because they cannot be able to explain their vision disorder. Mild astigmatism is common in young children and usually subsides with age. Therefore, it is always safe to take your child to an ophthalmologist and get their eyes checked for astigmatism.
These tests determine at what distances the child can clearly see and the curvature and shape of the child’s cornea. If severe astigmatism in children isn’t treated before the child is 8 years old, myopia, or “lazy eye” might develop. Several options exist for treating astigmatism in adults, but in children, the treatments are far more limited. When a case of childhood astigmatism is severe enough to affect the child’s vision, an eye doctor is most likely to prescribe glasses. This is because children and their eyes are still growing and maturing.
Surgical vision correction options are inappropriate for children because their eyes haven’t finished growing and changing. Special contact lenses might be appropriate for older children and teenagers able to learn how to safely insert lenses into their eyes without scratching the corneas. Prescription eyeglasses, however, are appropriate for children of all ages because of their ease of use and proven effectiveness. Children who have been prescribed with eyeglasses for astigmatism usually get used to them in less than a week.
If after two seeks of frequent wear, a child is still complaining of headaches or dizziness, the parent should consult once more with the ophthalmologist. If the transition to glasses goes smoothly, children should still visit the eye doctor once a year to monitor any further changes in vision. Astigmatism is very common. Some experts believe that almost everyone has a degree of astigmatism, often from birth, which may remain the same throughout life. The exact reason for differences in corneal shape remains unknown, but the tendency to develop astigmatism is inherited.
For that reason, some people are more prone to develop astigmatism than others. For contact and corrective lens wearers, dealing with astigmatism can be a real challenge. But, thankfully, it doesn’t have to be. With the proper care of your contact lenses and continued and regular monitoring of the astigmatism by an optometrist, you can improve your eyesight over time. But there are ways of treating and living with astigmatism. According to E (Executive Optical) Clinic, one of the Philippines best, the patient with astigmatism should: * Use contact or corrective lenses properly.
Do not overuse contact lenses and tallow all instructions carefully and properly . Adhere to al cleaning and storage instructions and report any concerns to your optometrist. * Consider Alaska eye surgery. Only a doctor can authorize a patient for treatment; however patients with astigmatism are ideal candidates for the procedure. Talk to you doctor about using the treatment to improve your astigmatism. * Avoid eye strain. When working on a computer, rest your eyes every twenty minutes by looking to a distant location and blinking the eyes several times. * Always use an adequate light source when reading.
At the onset of a headache or strain in the pupil, take a ten to fifteen minute break. Research and investigate available and appropriate options for your medical case. Speak with an optometrist to learn about a contact or corrective lens that is most appropriate for your astigmatism. This may require the use of a Doric lens for contact wearers. However, only a licensed optometrist can determine the best lens available to reduce the refractive impairments necessary for clear, focused vision. * Receive a yearly eye examination to make necessary adjustments.
An optometrist will note these improvements and issue a new prescription that will work to further stabilize and or improve the current condition of our astigmatism. By establishing a yearly routine for the care of your astigmatism, you allow the optometrist more options when treating, diagnosing and monitoring medication or changes in your prescription. In addressing the astigmatic child in the classroom, teachers should otherwise, know the conditions of their students. They should be aware of the telltale signs associated with visual impairments. In this way, the teacher-parent relationship should be developed.
The teacher should communicate to the parent’s and the two should become partners in finding and helping the child’s condition. If a child frequently has to squint to see something, his parent’s should be notified immediately. Once the child has received the diagnosis and astigmatism is positive, the child has a visual distance deficiency; the student can take advantage of whatever disability services and programs provided by his school or school district. The department these accommodations fall under is often called the Office of Disability Services.
There are some important tips for the teacher in handling those children with astigmatism inside the classroom: * Build relationships with your students – it is an important aspect of the social classroom yeoman. Make the effort to establish direct communication with your astigmatic student. For the sake of comforting the student, discretely ask him how much their astigmatism affects his vision. Before you even plan the accommodations for that student, ask him for any suggestions or strategies he has found successful in the past. Read the student’s accommodation list to find techniques or suggestions from the caseworker or the student’s physician. Factor this information into every lesson you plan for your class, especially any activities focused around lectures or interactive media. Make arrangements for large print versions of all texts and a note- taker if the student requests one. * Make copies of every lecture and any required elements with large fonts for your astigmatic student. Provide enlarged versions of all maps, timeliness, homework, study guides, and overhead transparencies.
Make reading assignments accessible through audio files. * Prepare a seating chart according to accommodations lists, affording each impaired student a seat in the front row, as close to the center of the room as possible without drawing any attention to the student. At the beginning to the year, otter to walk the student through the empty classroom so they can build up a physical memory of their surroundings. * Proactively ask the student if they need clarification on a specific issue, however, patiently wait until they accept the help so as to not draw unnecessary attention.
Practice with non-visual cues. Enhance your lesson plans to include more verbal description and less prior visual knowledge. We should give importance to our vision. We should visit the eye doctor regularly. Because a routine eye exam can determine if you have astigmatism. And many special instruments that’s available may be used to determine eye diseases; hence, treating astigmatism earlier can be somehow an advantage so that it will not be too hard for us to handle this eye disturbance.
If astigmatism is positive, get a treatment ahead. If slight astigmatism is detected, nothing is needed for treatment, not even glasses. For greater degrees of astigmatism, glasses or contact lenses may be prescribed by your doctor. Signing up for surgery is needed if the condition is really severe. There are three procedures that can be done to reshape the cornea; astigmatic servomotor (AK), weatherization crematory (PARK) and laser in situ seriousness (ALASKA).
AK is when the surgeon flattens the cornea by cutting small slits in it. PARK is when the surgeon removes the thin layers of the cornea with a laser. ALASKA is where the surgeon reshapes the cornea with a laser and a precise tool. There are many risks when having one of these surgical procedures. One is the scarring, which can cause glare. Nearsightedness or farsightedness can be worse. The astigmatism can get worse or the eye can become infected. So surgery should never be your first choice when diagnosed with astigmatism.
However, there have been many people who have had great success with surgery in choosing the ALASKA procedure In conclusion, no one can best prevent any eye diseases or disturbances and no one can give the best care of all our senses, not Just our vision; except you, yourself. If there’s one part who cannot function well, then all will be affected, and we will surely experience difficulties. Having knowledge and acquiring some information is very important because it will somehow become the basis of our action. So let us take care of that special gift God had given unto us, our vision.