Late developing astigmatism
 

Anyone like to comment as to why after years of 6/6 0r 6/5 in both eyes no previously commented on astigmatism and still no requirement for near vision correction at 50, one eye should wander off over a year or so to +0.5 Sphere -2.25 Cyl Axis 170 (Near) ? Giving between 6/9 and 6/12 in that eye.

Hanna

Unqualified opinion.

A nuclear cataract is often the reason for sudden myopia. Due to the fairly sudden onset, I wonder if such a problem might be causing such a swing in the CYL. I don’t know, but do have a detailed inspection for this problem.

The strange thing is, that with a nuclear cataract one can see very well with correction…for a while. Then the brain starts to look at various paths round the obstruction. i.e. multi-lensing. At this stage there is no option but to have the lens removed.

This next comment is really thinking ‘outside the box’, but I have just met someone with this problem. It was clearly observable to their family.

I expect you have had an initial checkup, but if there is no significant discomfort, have someone that knows you well, make a close inspection of the shape of your eye. By this, I mean the type of observation an artist might make rather than an eye doctor. Swelling due to chronic sinus infection in some swimmers for instance, has left some people with a pressure that distorts the entire eye. It might be very slight, but noticeable to a close relative for instance.

It’s strange, but people do not seem to feel more than a very slight pressure in some of these cases.

Thanks for the reply.

Cataract did occur to me as well. The opthalmologist who arrived those figures at the time said both eyes were very clear so I presumed that he could see no trace of a cataract. He just said "Well you're 50 now". The lateral thinking idea has drawn a blank as well. I'll see how it goes.... not necessarily for licensing - the best I can hope for nowadays is an NPPL grade solo/safety pilot!

Hanna.