Overview
Astigmatism is a common, usually harmless focusing problem in which the front of the eye is shaped more like an oval than a round ball, so light focuses unevenly and vision is blurred or distorted at all distances. Many people have a small amount without noticing. Larger degrees cause blurring, eye strain and headaches. It often occurs together with short- or long-sightedness and is easily corrected with glasses (cylindrical power), contact lenses or laser surgery.
Symptoms
- Blurred or distorted vision at all distances
- Eye strain and discomfort
- Headaches, especially after visual tasks
- Difficulty seeing fine detail
- Squinting to try to see clearly
When to see a doctor
See an eye doctor for blurred or distorted vision, eye strain or headaches, or as part of a routine eye test.
Causes
An irregularly curved cornea or lens, usually present from birth and often running in families; occasionally after eye injury or surgery.