Astigmatism is a common eye condition that affects the way light focuses on the retina, causing blurred or distorted vision. It occurs when the cornea (the clear front surface of the eye) or the lens inside the eye is not perfectly round, but instead has a more oval or cylindrical shape. This causes different amounts of light refraction in different meridians of the eye, resulting in blurred or distorted images at all distances.
Symptoms of astigmatism can include blurred or distorted vision, eye strain, headaches and difficulty seeing at night. The condition can occur alone or in combination with other refractive errors such as nearsightedness (myopia) or farsightedness (hyperopia).
Astigmatism can be diagnosed with a comprehensive eye examination, including a visual acuity test, a refraction test and a keratometry test to measure the curvature of the cornea. Treatment options for astigmatism include corrective lenses such as glasses or contact lenses and refractive surgery such as LASIKLASIK – Laser Eye Surgery or PRK.
In conclusion, astigmatism is a common eye condition that affects the way light is focused on the retina, leading to blurred or distorted vision. It can be diagnosed with a comprehensive eye examination and treated with corrective lenses or refractive surgery. If you are experiencing symptoms of astigmatism, it is important to consult an eye health professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.