Astigmatism is a refractive error. The curvature of the cornea and/or lens prevents light rays from focusing on a single point on the retina, resulting in a blurred image.

Visual acuity is poor for near and far objects.

• Astigmatism is an overall inability of the eye to focus clearly at any distance, usually because of uneven curvatures of the cornea. Essentially, the cornea is oval, having a surface shaped more like a football or the back of a spoon, rather than being rounded like a basketball.




• Virtually all corneas have at least a mild degree of astigmatism. For many, the resulting distortion is not discernible. But as the curvature of the cornea becomes more uneven, image distortion increases.




• Astigmatism often is inherited.