Astigmatism

Astigmatism is a common eye condition that affects the cornea or lens, causing blurred or distorted vision. It occurs when the surface of the eye is not perfectly round but shaped more like a football, leading to uneven focusing of light on the retina. This condition primarily involves the visual system and can cause symptoms such as eye strain, headaches, and difficulty seeing fine details. People with astigmatism may notice that both near and far objects appear blurry or stretched. It is a refractive error that can affect anyone and often occurs alongside nearsightedness or farsightedness.

Astigmatism is a refractive error characterized by an irregular curvature of the cornea or less commonly the lens, resulting in multiple focal points on the retina rather than a single point. The core pathology involves asymmetric refraction of light rays due to the toric shape of the cornea or lens, which disrupts normal visual acuity. It is usually caused by developmental variations in corneal shape or acquired corneal changes such as scarring or keratoconus. Clinically, astigmatism leads to blurred vision, distorted images, and visual discomfort. It is significant because it can impair daily activities and quality of life if uncorrected. Diagnosis and correction are essential to prevent amblyopia in children and reduce visual fatigue in adults.