Astigmatism is a common vision problem in children and adults that affects the shape of the lens in the eye. The surface of an astigmatic lens is egg shaped. A normal lens has an even surface like a round ball. This aberration in curvature causes blurred vision at all distances.The good news is that astigmatism natural treatments are available to address and relieve astigmatism symptoms, including several astigmatism natural remedies that will also help. Let’s look at the symptoms of astigmatism and how to reduce astigmatism naturally.

Astigmatism is often present at birth and may occur in combination with nearsightedness or farsightedness, however, it is often not pronounced enough to require corrective action. 

 Astigmatism Symptoms

• Blurred or distorted vision
• Eyestrain or discomfort
• Headaches
• Difficulty with night vision
• Squinting

Astigmatism Natural Treatments

1. Early Detection

Children should undergo an eye exam and visual acuity test administered by their pediatrician or family doctor around age 3½. In addition, vision and eye alignment should be checked around age five. Those who fail either test should be examined by an eye doctor. After age five, routine screenings should be done at school and at the primary doctor’s office.

2. Corrective Lenses

The simplest and safest way to correct astigmatism symptoms is with prescription eyeglasses. Contact lenses also work by becoming the first refractive surface for light rays entering the eye, causing a more precise focus. 

3. Natural Remedies

Astigmatism natural remedies include practices that will help improve astigmatism symptoms, as well as overall eye health.

Maintain a healthy weight. Weight gain and obesity contribute to diabetes and other chronic health conditions that can lead to vision loss.

Wear protective eyewear. Wear protective eyewear when playing sports or doing activities around the home. Eye protection will protect your eyes from foreign objects.

Quit smoking or never start. Smoking is terrible for your eyes, not to mention the rest of your body.

Be cool and wear your shades. Look for sunglasses that block out 99 to 100 percent of both UV-A and UV-B radiation.

Give your eyes a rest. We sometimes forget to blink and our eyes can get fatigued if we spend a lot of time on the computer or focus too long on work. Try the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look away about 20 feet in front of you for 20 seconds. This can help reduce eyestrain.

Improve Your Diet

A diet rich in fruits and vegetables is an essential component in your toolkit of astigmatism natural remedies, particularly dark leafy greens such as spinach, kale, or collard greens. Thus, you should add nutrients to your daily diet, either through foods or supplements, to help preserve your vision and reduce the risk of certain eye diseases.

• Lutein and zeaxanthin are important nutrients found in green leafy vegetables. Studies show that lutein and zeaxanthin reduce the risk of chronic eye diseases.
• Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is an antioxidant found in fruits and vegetables. Scientific evidence suggests vitamin C, when taken in combination with other essential nutrients, can slow the progression of visual acuity loss.
• Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant found in nuts, fortified cereals and sweet potatoes; moreover, research indicates it protects cells in the eyes from unstable molecules called free radicals, which break down healthy tissue.
• Essential fatty acids are a necessary part of the human diet. They maintain the integrity of the nervous system, fuel cell growth and boost the immune system. Furthermore, research shows omega-3 fatty acids are important for proper visual development and retinal function.
• Zinc is an essential trace mineral or “helper molecule.” It plays a vital role in bringing vitamin A from the liver to the retina in order to produce melanin, a protective pigment in the eyes.

Conclusion

It is easy to control astigmatism with healthy life habits. Detection, prevention & treatment are the three steps needed to keep your eye health for your entire life. A healthy lifestyle coupled with proper nutrition, is not only important for overall health but also critical to eye health. If you suffer from any of the symptoms listed, have your vision checked. Who knows, you might look really good in glasses!