Astigmatism

Astigmatism occurs when the cornea is shaped like a football (more curved in one direction than the other) and often occurs in combination with myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness). This causes light to focus in more than one point on the retina, resulting in blurry and distorted vision.

Light focuses in more than one point on the
retina causing blurry and distorted vision at all distances
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Symptoms of astigmatism:

• Blurry, distorted vision at all distances

Causes of astigmatism:

• Heredity
• Lid swellings such as chalazia
• Corneal scars
• Keratoconus

Diagnosing astigmatism:

Your eye doctor can conduct a refractive evaluation to determine whether your eyes focus light rays exactly on the retina at distance and near. A visual acuity test will determine your ability to see sharply and clearly at all distances.

Treatment of astigmatism:

Glasses and contact lenses are used by many for the temporary treatment of astigmatism. However, there are a number of vision correction procedures that can surgically reduce or eliminate astigmatism.

Other types of refractive errors include: nearsightedness, farsightedness and presbyopia.