Astigmatism Overview
Learn About Astigmatism
Astigmatism is a type of refractive error of the eye. Refractive errors cause blurred vision. They are the most common reason why a person goes to see an eye professional.
Other types of refractive errors are:
- Farsightedness
- Nearsightedness
People are able to see because the front part of the eye bends (refracts) light and focuses it on the retina. This is the inside of the back surface of the eye.
If the light rays are not clearly focused on the retina, the images you see may be blurry.
With astigmatism, the cornea is abnormally curved. This curve causes vision to be out of focus.
The cause of astigmatism is unknown. It is most often present from birth. Astigmatism often occurs together with nearsightedness or farsightedness. If astigmatism gets worse, it may be a sign of keratoconus.
Astigmatism is very common. It sometimes occurs after certain types of eye surgery, such as cataract surgery.
Astigmatism makes it hard to see fine details, either close up or from a distance.
Mild astigmatism may not need to be corrected.
Glasses or contact lenses will correct astigmatism, but do not cure it.
Laser surgery can help change the shape of the cornea surface to eliminate astigmatism, along with nearsightedness or farsightedness.
Yale University
Brian Debroff is an Ophthalmologist in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Dr. Debroff and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Astigmatism. His top areas of expertise are Cataract, Presbyopia, Astigmatism, and Glaucoma.
Ophthalmic Surgeons Of Gr Bpt PC
Ian Gorovoy is an Ophthalmologist in Fairfield, Connecticut. Dr. Gorovoy and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Astigmatism. His top areas of expertise are Interstitial Keratitis, Chalazion, Cataract, Iridectomy, and Vitrectomy.
Doctor And Associates, PC
Leslie Doctor is an Ophthalmologist in Westport, Connecticut. Dr. Doctor and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Astigmatism. Her top areas of expertise are Presbyopia, Blepharitis, Interstitial Keratitis, and Chalazion.
Astigmatism may change with time, requiring new glasses or contact lenses. Laser vision correction can most often eliminate, or greatly reduce astigmatism.
In children, uncorrected astigmatism in only one eye may cause amblyopia.
Contact your health care provider or ophthalmologist if vision problems worsen, or do not improve with glasses or contact lenses.
Objective: To compare the efficacy and the residual refractive error of EYECRYLTM Phakic toric versus Visian® Toric ICL in moderate to high myopic patient with co-existing astigmatism. Secondary
Summary: This open-label study is of adults with astigmatism who have never worn contact lenses. Subjects will be fit into a one week planned-replacement contact lenses and will wear lenses for approximately 3 weeks. Subjects will return for vision and lens fit assessments and will complete surveys about their wear experience.
Published Date: July 09, 2024
Published By: Audrey Tai, DO, MS, Athena Eye Care, Mission Viejo, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Le NT, Mamalis C, Weikert MP, Al-Mohtaseb Z. Excimer laser surface ablation: photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), laser subepithelial keratomileusis (LASEK), and Epi-LASIK. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, eds. Ophthalmology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 3.3.
Olitsky SE, Marsh JD. Abnormalities of refraction and accommodation. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 660.
Stevens DV, Young JA. Correction of refractive errors. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, eds. Ophthalmology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 2.4.