What is astigmatism?

Astigmatism is a common eye condition where the cornea or lens in your eye is not perfectly curved. Instead of being shaped like a soccer ball, it is curved like a rugby ball. This means that light entering the eye focuses at 2 places (rather than one) on the retina.

This can make your vision mildly or severely blurry. Your ability to see both close up (long-sightedness) and far away (short-sightedness) are affected.

There are 2 types of astigmatism:

• regular —the cornea is curved more in one direction (e.g. vertically) than the other (e.g. horizontally)
• irregular —the curvature of the cornea is uneven across the surface of the eye

What are the symptoms of astigmatism?

Symptoms of astigmatism may include:

• difficulty focusing
• blurred vision, both close up (long-sightedness or hyperopia) or far away (short-sightedness or myopia)
• headaches
• eyestrain and squinting
• difficulty seeing at night — you may see halos (spots of light) or glares
• fatigue
• ‘lazy eye’ in children

What causes astigmatism?

There are several potential causes of astigmatism, including:

• inherited or congenital causes (being born with astigmatism)
• eye injury
• a complication following eye surgery
• ageing
• other eye conditions such as keratoconus

When should I have an eye test?

You should have an eye test if you experience any trouble with your vision, for example:

• blurry vision
• trouble focusing
• difficulty seeing at night
• squinting
• headaches

See your optometrist if you suspect your child is having any issues with their sight, or before starting school, to identify any problems early for better vision outcomes.

How is astigmatism diagnosed?

Your optometrist or ophthalmologist (specialist eye doctor) can diagnose astigmatism with an eye examination.

Testing may include:

• vision testing to see how clearly you see (visual acuity test)
• measurement of the curve of your corneas
• measurement of how well your eyes focus light

If you have any concerns about your eyesight, see your optometrist or talk to your doctor.

How is astigmatism treated?

Your healthcare professional can treat your astigmatism with glasses or contact lenses. Most people have mild astigmatism, and this treatment is enough.

If you have severe astigmatism, you may need more extensive treatment with rigid contact lenses or laser eye surgery that can adjust your cornea’s shape.

Complications of astigmatism

Astigmatism can cause poor vision, eyestrain and headaches, which can affect your quality of life.

Resources and support

• Visit Vision Australia to learn about services and support if you or your loved one is living with low vision or blindness.
• Read more about astigmatism on the Good vision for life page.
• Vision 20/20 Australia provides a valuable Mental Wellbeing Resources Guide explaining services and support available for people with vision loss.