Astigmatism is an eye condition with blurred vision as its main symptom. The front surface of the eye (cornea) of a person with astigmatism is not curved properly – the curve is irregular – usually one half is flatter than the other – sometimes one area is steeper than it should be.

When light rays enter the eye they do not focus correctly on the retina, resulting in a blurred image. Astigmatism may also be caused by an irregularly shaped lens, which is located behind the cornea.

Common types of astigmatism

The two most common types of astigmatism are:

• Corneal astigmatism – the cornea has an irregular shape
• Lenticular astigmatism – the lens has an irregular shape

Symptoms of astigmatism

The following are common symptoms of astigmatism:

• Blurred or distorted vision at all distances.
• Photophobia – sensitivity to light.
• Headaches.
• Excessive squinting.
• The person is constantly closing his/her eyes.
• Eye strain – occurs more often when the eye has to focus for long periods, as in reading from paper or a computer monitor.

Treatment

The goal of treating astigmatism is to address the uneven curvature that’s causing your blurred vision. Treatments include wearing corrective lenses and undergoing refractive surgery.