Can Astimgatism go away come back?

[Queen2PrincessG]

A few years ago I was diagnosed with astigmatism. I was never told it went away but my last two sets of prescriptions haven't been for astigmatism, but they felt fine no problems. Now this new one (about 2 weeks) seems to be uncomfortable and i'm having a hard time focusing in light outside. Everything seems foggy and not sharp. I'm calling the optometrist in the am but just looking to see if this happened to anyone else.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Astigmatism generally isn't self-correcting. It sounds like either you have the wrong prescription, or a different problem with your vision, or (if you're talking about contact lenses) maybe you have them in the wrong eyes?

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

My astigmatism went away. I was really happy when the eye doctor told me that, since it saved me money on both my eye exam and my contacts. I don't know about it coming back but I would assume if they can go away, they can always come back.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

I don't know if mine went away or what. Years ago I was told that I had that... but it hasn't been mentioned again. Different doctors. Either it went away, he didn't notice it, or it went away. Doesn't make any difference to me I guess, I still need contacts/glasses even if that is gone, I am still nearsighted.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

A few years ago I was diagnosed with astigmatism. I was never told it went away but my last two sets of prescriptions haven't been for astigmatism, but they felt fine no problems. Now this new one (about 2 weeks) seems to be uncomfortable and i'm having a hard time focusing in light outside. Everything seems foggy and not sharp. I'm calling the optometrist in the am but just looking to see if this happened to anyone else.

I want to say that I have heard that they can change. (I don't know if they can go away though)

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

Thanks everyone. It's so weird. I'm really good at keeping them in the right eye even though it's the same -1.75 in each. Hopefully it's just astigmatism!! Fingers crossed.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

I've been told that your diagnoses for your eyes can change - and not always for the worse, over the course of your lifetime. Your eyeballs and the lenses in your eyes both continue to change shape over the course of your lifetime and its that combination of both factors that determines the acuity of your vision. Makes sense to me when I think about the cow eyeballs I dissected in school.

 

[North of Mouse]

A few years ago I was diagnosed with astigmatism. I was never told it went away but my last two sets of prescriptions haven't been for astigmatism, but they felt fine no problems. Now this new one (about 2 weeks) seems to be uncomfortable and i'm having a hard time focusing in light outside. Everything seems foggy and not sharp. I'm calling the optometrist in the am but just looking to see if this happened to anyone else.

Yes, it definitely can! My DH had severe astigmatism as a child and young adult, then went to contacts for several years.
He now wears glasses only to read or for computer and no astigmatism! I, on the other hand have had it for most of my adult life!
His actually came and went a couple of times since it first corrected itself. The Dr. says that is normal for some people.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

I've been told that your diagnoses for your eyes can change - and not always for the worse, over the course of your lifetime. Your eyeballs and the lenses in your eyes both continue to change shape over the course of your lifetime and its that combination of both factors that determines the acuity of your vision. Makes sense to me when I think about the cow eyeballs I dissected in school.

That is true about the diagnoses changing. I know for me, I thought I was being smart and stocked up on contacts. I bought all I possibly could upfront. I wore them a lot longer than I should. I also didn't wear them full-time. I managed to stretch a year supply of contacts out for about 4 years.

By the time I finally ran out of contacts, it was like I was having trouble seeing anyway. Come to find out my vision had improved and the prescription I had was too strong...that's why I wasn't seeing very well. I was told it had something to do with my age... it is not uncommon if you are nearsighted when you hit your late 30s, it starts to go the other way on you. They told me there was a chance I could find that perfect balance where I would no longer require corrective lenses if the trend continues like it has been.

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

Wow!! Yes one eye was better this last visit. I'm going in tomorrow for a recheck so hopefully they can figure it out.

 

[tvguy]

No, it does not go away.

http://www.allaboutvision.com/askdoc/astigmatism.htm
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080114033529AAsqZpi
http://www.eyespecialists.org/astigmatism.htm

 

[Tinijocaro]

A few years ago I was diagnosed with astigmatism. I was never told it went away but my last two sets of prescriptions haven't been for astigmatism, but they felt fine no problems. Now this new one (about 2 weeks) seems to be uncomfortable and i'm having a hard time focusing in light outside. Everything seems foggy and not sharp. I'm calling the optometrist in the am but just looking to see if this happened to anyone else.

It could be that your script is wrong. I went around for an entire week not seeing well and getting headaches. Turns out the guy wrote down the wrong numbers and was surprised I wasn't back the next day with how far off the script was.

I have severe astigmatism and no, I don't believe they can get better on their own.

ETA:Just now reading some people said theirs got better-maybe there's hope for me!

 

[Coconut36]

I've been told that your diagnoses for your eyes can change - and not always for the worse, over the course of your lifetime. Your eyeballs and the lenses in your eyes both continue to change shape over the course of your lifetime and its that combination of both factors that determines the acuity of your vision. Makes sense to me when I think about the cow eyeballs I dissected in school.

I agree.

Also the severity of your astigmatism can vary over time as well. I have one..my Rx rarely corrects it because it is so minor and doesn't seem to need it but that could change over time..with age and so on. So yes it is entirely possible that you need correction now for it when in the past you didn't.

ETA-Just to clarify..I don't think it "goes away" but the need for correction in your Rx can vary I believe and it likely depends on the severity and nature of the type you have (my DH has some really uncommon one that requires correct and his Rx always includes it..mine is a simpler one that they don't correct).

 

[PollyannaMom]

I have borderline astigmatism, and whether it needs to be corrected at any given time depends on which type of contacts I have - like different brands or daily vs. extended wear. Some are more comfortable with it corrected, some without.