Astigmatism

Astigmatism is a focusing error that causes asymmetric blur with some directions in an image being more out of focus than others. 

Unlike both myopia and hyperopia where all directions in an image are blurred uniformly. Astigmatism is generally due to a misshapen cornea on the front surface of the eye. Normally the cornea’s curvature is completely spherical in all directions but with an astigmatism the curve is non-spherical or steeper in one direction than another.  In some cases, astigmatism may be due to irregularities in other components – such as the lens and the retina – of the eye. 

People with astigmatism usually have difficulty in seeing fine detail – and often suffer from eyestrain and headaches if the degree of astigmatism is high. Unlike Myopia or Hyperopia, the blur is at all distances. Astigmatism may also be combined with either of these conditions as well. The cause of astigmatism is thought to be genetic or merely natural variation.

Astigmatism can be corrected with glasses and some may be helped by contact lenses.

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