Dear Prevention-minded friends,

I personally would avoid the use of an astigmatism
"cut", provided I pass the DMV 20/40 line.

After you get the astigmatism "prescription" you
often find your vision like a "fun house" mirror.
You are then told to "get used to it".

I object.

Anything less that -1.5 diopters astigmatism can
probably be ignored. The two eyes working together
tend to "reduce" the effect.

But here is a statement for your interest.

Otis

_________________

Phil> When does astigmatism cause visual disturbance? I've heard
people say that even 0.75 is nothing really so when does it interfere
in a significant way?

+++++++++++++++


Judy> Even -0.25 will have an effect upon acuity. If astigmatism is
the only
problem, then small amount are more troublesome, ie a person with 5D
of
myopia and 0.50 astigmatism will be better able to tolerate not
correcting the astigmatism than someone with only the astigmatism.
The
axis of the astigmatism matters too, oblique or vertical axis is
less
well tolerated than horizontal axis.

Finally, people vary greatly in their tolerance of blur. One person
may wear 0.50 full time and feel very blurred without it, another
person will never wear 1.50 and feel fine.


Dr Judy