my baby has astigmatism

dear dr. hagan

my daughter  (only 1 year and 10 mos.) was diagnosed to have astigmatism
pedia optha sd it is 150. is there a cure for it? the doctor advised me to be back in 6mos,
did'nt prescribed any medication or drops for her eye. can you please enlighten me about this
problem

thank you!

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Relax it usually is not that big of deal. Astigmatism is not a disease it refers to an aspherical cornea. It does cause some blur but the amount of astimatism is not large and if its present equally it both eyes it is less likely to cause "refractive amblyopia" than if only one eye had the problem.

Many infants and children have astigmatism and never need glasses, many as they grow the cornea "rounds out" and the astigmatism goes away.

JCH MD

[angie1009]

dr. hagan,

Myself and my 7 yr old daughter  wears lenses because we both are farsighted and have astigmatism. is astigmatism  hereditary? it she inherits it, is it possible that the cornea wont "rounds out" ? and if not inherits, can was the cause of it? i really  dont want her to experience the discomfort of wearing glasses.

thanks.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Astigmatism is common it is not very heredity. There are so many variables in the eye that can cause astigmatism it's luck everyone doesn't have it. Often the cornea doesn't round out, if it doesn't and its a problem she'll need glasses or contacts.

Remember in a child the glasses are to help the child see and vision develop. Any "discomfort" from glasses in not nearly as important as good vision.
JCH MD