Astigmatism

Astigmatism, unlike normal vision, occurs when the cornea is shaped like a football (more curved in one direction than the other) and often occurs in combination with myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness). Astigmatism causes light to focus at two separate points of focus within the eye rather than at a single point of focus exactly on the retina, resulting in blurry and distorted vision.

Light focuses at more than one point within the 
eye causing blurry and distorted vision at all distances
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Symptoms of astigmatism:

• Blurry, distorted vision at all distances

Causes of astigmatism:

• Heredity
• Lid swellings such as styes or other lesions 
• Corneal scars
• Keratoconus

Diagnosing astigmatism:

Your eye doctor can conduct a refractive evaluation to determine whether your eyes focus light rays exactly on the retina at distance and near. A visual acuity test will determine your ability to see sharply and clearly at all distances. Your eye doctor will also check your eye coordination and muscle control, as well as your eyes' ability to change focus. All of these are important factors in how your eyes see                                                                              

Treatment of astigmatism:

Glasses and contact lenses have traditionally been used by many to clear up vision blurred by astigmatism. However, there are a number of vision correction procedures that can surgically reduce or eliminate astigmatism.

Other types of refractive errors (problems with focus requiring correction with glasses cntacts or surgery) include: nearsightedness, farsightedness and presbyopia.