Astigmatism

If you have astigmatism, some parts of your vision may be more blurred than others. Whether you’re looking at something close or something distant won’t make a difference.

Diagnosis

Astigmatism is easily diagnosed by a standard eye check by an optometrist or ophthalmologist (eye doctor).

Treatment

Prescription glasses, contact lenses or refractive laser surgery can correct astigmatism. A very low degree of astigmatism might not need any correction.

Cause

Astigmatism is caused when your cornea (the transparent layer that covers the front of your eye) is not a symmetrical round shape but is oval like a rugby ball.

The cornea bends light rays to focus light onto the retina at the back of your eye. Astigmatism causes light to be focused at multiple points instead of one precise point on the retina, which causes blurred vision.

This topic sheet was provided by Healthline.

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