What is it?

Astigmatism happens when the front section of the eye, known as cornea, isn’t a uniform symmetric moonlike shape. Instead, its configuration is rather like that of the back of a spoon - longer in one style than another. Due to the fact that the cornea is an unpredictable form, the eye can’t focus light passing through it sharply on to the back of the eye or retina. So vision is smudged at all distances.

What causes it?

As the eye develops in the womb, various factors influence the configuration of it, including familial genetic factors and environment. It turns out that these factors can result in an wavy curvature of the cornea, although the exact cause isn’t known.

Who’s affected?

Actually most of us have an astigmatism - but generally it is very mild

Astigmatism is not unusual and is usually present from birth. Most people have a slender astigmatism - it is unusual for the cornea to have developed in a perfectly symmetrical fashion. But in mild cases, the eye can adjust to focus light adequately.

In many examples of astigmatism the person also has different visual problems like short-sightedness or long-sightedness. Two-thirds of people with short-sightedness also have significant astigmatism.

What are the symptoms?

In severe astigmatism, vision is smudged or distorted whether the individual is reading close up or looking further into the distance.

In milder cases the individual may complain their vision is fuzzy at certain distances, that they’ve tired or dry eyes, that it’s a struggle to focus or read, or that they’ve headaches, especially when trying to focus.
How is it diagnosed?

Astigmatism should be diagnosed by a qualified optometrist, ophthalmic surgeon or eye specialist. A complete optometric examination should be done to assess the degree and extent of the problem.

Tiny children, who may not be able to deal with the optometrist’s interrogations about what they can see, can be assessed using a test called retinoscopy that involves reflected light.

What’s the treatment?

Most of the time, astigmatism can be corrected by wearing properly fitted eyeglasses or contact lenses.

Milder astigmatism may not need treatment unless the individual is doing a job that puts intensive demands on the eyes, for example, computer work.

In some cases, astigmatism can be corrected by an operation called refractive surgery, which reshapes the cornea.

Some may choose laser surgery. If you are considering this form of therapy, ensure that you speak to your surgeon about the good and bad points before you make your decision.