Malformations of the Eye

The human eye features several complex parts that must work together in order for a person to have proper vision. When an eye has a malformation, it can impair the person's vision. Eye malformations are any disorders that cause parts of the eye to take on an abnormal shape. These disorders can often be treated using glasses, contacts or corrective surgery.

Astigmatism

• One of the most common malformations of the eye is astigmatism. When an eye is afflicted by astigmatism, the cornea or the lens of the eye takes on a less spherical shape. This misshapen cornea or lens is usually present at birth and can cause headaches and dizziness. The Mayo Clinic notes that eyes with astigmatism can often have flat or steep corneas or lenses, as opposed to the usual smooth and even surface of the eye. People with astigmatism may have blurry vision and can also experience nearsightedness or farsightedness. Astigmatism, in most occurrences, doesn't require any kind of correction. In more pronounced instances, corrective lenses or surgery can be prescribed.

Keratoconus

• Keratoconus causes a person's cornea to thin and take on a different shape. Corneas are, under normal circumstances, round. Those affected by keratoconus have thin, bulging, cone-shaped corneas. This corneal defect causes light sensitivity and distorted vision. This distortion, according to All About Vision, begins when a person is in his teens or early 20s. As the cornea begins to change shape, a person can develop nearsightedness as well as astigmatism. For mild forms of keratoconus, optometrists often prescribe glasses or soft contacts. However, the disease can progress quickly, and glasses and soft lenses will not help. For more progressive keratoconus, treatments include gas-permeable contact lenses, hybrid contact lenses and corneal transplants.

Coloboma

• Coloboma causes a hole or other shape malformation to affect the iris. The pupil may appear to be an irregular shape. In some instances, the coloboma can give the pupil a keyhole shape, with a split from the pupil to the iris. Medline Plus states that coloboma can be caused by eye surgery or eye trauma, but usually is an inherited condition present at birth or shortly after birth. A coloboma may affect vision, causing a person to have blurred vision and ghost imaging. In most cases, a coloboma does not require any corrective treatment.