What is Astigmatism?

Have you ever been told you have astigmatism?  Even the mention of the word makes some people feel self conscious.  The problem is, most people don't even know what it means.

In general astigmatism is a term used to describe how a single point of light is blurred into two separate points of light.  Unlike true "double vision," astigmatism creates an effect similar to a shadow or secondary image around the image you are looking at.  For those of you with astigmatism you will struggle more with night vision, vision on rainy days/nights, computer work, and really distinguishing between letters like P and F, or B and 8 as from afar they look very similar.

In most instances, astigmatism is caused by the front part of your eye (cornea) being slightly more football shaped than basketball shaped.  This irregular or non-spherical cornea forces light that enters into the eye to focus in two spots in the back of the eye, thus giving you the almost double vision effect around whatever you are looking at.

If you have astigmatism, there is no need to worry or feel like you need to hide this fact from friends.  Its extremely common.  With a simple pair of glasses, or a toric contact lens, we can make your vision sharp and clear.  When you come to visit me for your next exam, we will work together to see if you do have any astigmatism, and to correct it as perfectly as we possibly can!

The image below shows what text can look like with different levels/types of astigmatism. Check it out!

Downtown Chicago Location Moving!

Just wanted to get the word out....our Chicago location will be moving at the end of this month.  We have outgrown our space at 207 W Superior and will be moving on to bigger and better things right around the corner at 750 N Franklin.  Currently we are putting the finishing touches on the buildout at our new space.  We are sure that you will all love our new location when it is completed and we hope to see you more as you make your daily stop at our new neighbor, Starbucks!


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Wear Eyewear of Orland Park on Facebook!

Our Orland Park location is now on Facebook!  Become a Fan and see what is going on down in our Orland location.

We are on Facebook as:     Wear Eyewear of Orland Park

If you aren't already a fan of our Chicago location, check that out too:   Wear Eyewear



Jordan Jones, O.D.

What is 20/20 Vision?

So you've been going to the eye doctor your entire life.  You've heard people say they have 20/20 vision.  Heck, there is even a television program named 20/20. But....what does that really mean?


Eye care professionals need a way to quantify how your vision stacks up to everybody else.  When you go to visit your eye doctor and he/she has you read the letters on the chart, this is exactly what is happening.  We are attempting to understand exactly how well you can see compared to the standard or "perfect eye."


The "perfect eye" has been determined over time to be able to distinguish a certain size letter or symbol at a distance of 20 feet.  If you are able to distinguish this same size letter accurately...you have 20/20 vision.  


In other words, think of it as a contest between you and someone with "perfect eyes"  You are standing right beside each other seeing who can read the smallest line of letters.  The "perfect eye" goes first and from 20 feet away can read all the way down to the bottom of the chart.  Now its your turn.  If you too can read all the way down to the bottom.....you both tie.... and your vision is considered 20/20.  The first number 20 is how far you were away from the chart, the second 20 was how far away the "perfect eye" was to read the same line. 


What if you can't read that bottom line though?  Well the bigger the letters, the farther away the "perfect eye" could stand away from the chart and read the letters accurately.  For example, let's say you can only see the "Big E" at the top of the chart.  Well, the "perfect eye" was able to read that letter from 400 feet away!!  However, you are only 20 feet away from it.  Remembering from our example above, your vision would then be 20/400.  (First number is your eye, second number is the "perfect eye")


Hopefully the next time you come in to visit me, you will have a better understanding of exactly what it means to be 20/20!


Jordan Jones, O.D.