What Is Astigmatism?

-Astigmatism is a type of refractive error caused by the irregularities in the shape of a person’s cornea.
In this condition, the eye fails to focus the light equally on the retina leading to blurred or distorted
vision.

-is a condition that affects how light reaches the retina. That’s because the light bends or refracts, as it
passes through the clear outer covering of the eye (cornea) and the focusing part of the eye (lens).

Astigmatism occurs when either the front surface of your eye (cornea) or the lens, inside your eye, has
mismatched curves. Instead of having one curve like a round ball, the surface is egg shaped. This causes
blurred vision at all distances.

What causes Astigmatism?

 Hereditary: Astigmatism can also be the result of great genetic trait.

 Eye Trauma: Trauma to the eye, may alter the shape of the eye resulting in astigmatism.
 Eye Injuries: that caused scarring on the cornea.
 Eye Diseases: disease that causes a gradual thinning of the cornea.

Symptoms of Astigmatism

 Blurred Vision
 Sensitive to light
 Headaches
 Squinting
 Eye Discomfort: eye strain and fatigue.
 Types of Astigmatism

 Simple Hyperopic Astigmatism- where one focus is on the retina and the other is behind the
retina.
 Compound Hyperopic Astigmatism- where both foci are located behind the retina.
 Simple Myopic Astigmatism- where in one focus is on the retina and the other is in front of
the retina.
 Compound Myopic Astigmatism- where both foci are located in front of the retina.
 Mixed Astigmatism- where in one focus of the retina and the other is behind the retina.

Astigmatism Correction options

 Eyeglasses- Special cylindrical lens prescriptions can compensate astigmatism.

 Contact Lenses- Special “Toric” contact lenses are capable of compensating irregular shaped
corneas.
 Orthokeratology- Rigid contact lenses prescribed in varying curvatures to temporarily
reshape the cornea.
 Refractive Surgery- surgical procedures reshapes the cornea by removing tissue from its
middle layers to improve overall visual acuity.

How is astigmatism diagnosed?

 Visual Acuity- using a Snellen’s Chart

 Keratometry- using a Keratometer.
 Refraction- using a Phoropter.