Astigmatism

People are able to see because the front part of the eye (cornea) is able to bend (refract) light and focus it onto the back surface of the eye, called the retina.

If the light rays are not clearly focused on the retina, the images you see may be blurry.

With astigmatism, the cornea is abnormally curved. This curve causes vision to be out of focus.

The cause of astigmatism is unknown. It is usually present from birth. Astigmatism often occurs together with nearsightedness or farsightedness. If astigmatism gets worse, it may be a sign of keratoconus.

Astigmatism is very common. It sometimes occurs after certain types of eye surgery, such as cataract surgery.

Astigmatism makes it difficult to see fine details, either close up or from a distance.

Astigmatism is easily diagnosed by a standard eye exam with refraction test. Special tests are not usually required.

Children or adults who cannot respond to a normal refraction test can have their refraction measured by a test that uses reflected light (retinoscopy).

Mild astigmatism may not need to be corrected.

Glasses or contact lenses will correct astigmatism, but do not cure it.

Laser surgery can help change the shape of the cornea surface to eliminate astigmatism, along with nearsightedness or farsightedness.

Astigmatism may change with time, requiring new glasses or contact lenses. Laser vision correction can usually eliminate, or greatly reduce, astigmatism.

In children, uncorrected astigmatism in only one eye may cause amblyopia.

Call for an appointment with your health care provider or ophthalmologist if vision problems worsen, or do not improve with glasses or contact lenses.