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Astigmatism is an imperfection in the normal curvature of your eye's cornea or lens. While a normal eye is evenly rounded, an eye with astigmatism is egg- or oval-shaped. This irregular shape causes both near and far vision to be blurry because light rays don't refract properly onto the retina.
read more about astigmatism ...Astigmatism is categorized in several ways, usually based on the shape of your eye (specifically, the direction of its curves) and where the light ultimately focuses within your eye.
Regular astigmatism is a common type of astigmatism where the eye curves more in one direction than the other, but the curves are more consistent across the eye. Your eye care professional would recommend glasses or toric contacts to fix it. And these are the types of regular astigmatism, depending on how the front of your eye curves in different directions.
The next type is irregular astigmatism, a less common type where the eye's shape is irregular, and the curves don't line up correctly. It can occur after an injury, surgery, or in conjunction with conditions such as keratoconus. For this type, you'll need special lenses or treatments to fix it.
Astigmatism affects a significant portion of the American population, with one-third of the population having some degree of the condition, according to the American Optometric Association. However, prevalence varies across different age groups.
Infants commonly develop astigmatism in their first few months due to the steepness of their cornea. In many cases, astigmatism typically disappears by age five as the cornea flattens and normally develops.
As children grow, astigmatism levels tend to increase before stabilizing around age 25. This condition is quite common among young people; more than 70% of children aged 5 to 17 have some degree of astigmatism.
In older adults, astigmatism becomes more common due to natural changes in the lens and cornea of the eye. Mild astigmatism can persist until around age 70, while moderate and severe forms tend to increase after that point. People over 70 are about 2.5 times more likely to have astigmatism than those in their 50s.
Most people thought that reading in low light or sitting very close to the television causes astigmatism or makes it worse. Yet, that is not true at all.
Astigmatism is primarily caused by an abnormally shaped cornea or lens, and the risk of developing it is inherited. While the exact reason for the varying shapes is unknown, it's a very common condition.
Other causes also include the following:
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Symptoms of astigmatism can include blurry or distorted vision, eyestrain, headaches, squinting, and eye discomfort. Regardless, these symptoms don't always indicate astigmatism, so a extensive eye exam is crucial for diagnosis.
A full eye exam is the only way to diagnose astigmatism accurately. During the visit, your eye care professional checks how well your eyes focus light and measures the curvature of your cornea and lens. Some common tests include refraction, keratometry, and corneal topography. These tests show the shape of your cornea and help determine the right glasses or contact lens prescription. Even children who don't report vision problems can have astigmatism, so regular exams matter for early detection.
Treatment depends on the type and severity of your astigmatism. Most people are corrected easily with glasses or toric contact lenses, which focus light properly onto the retina. People with irregular corneas or advanced conditions like keratoconus often need rigid gas permeable or scleral lenses for sharper vision.
For long-term correction, procedures such as LASIK, PRK, or other refractive surgeries reshape the cornea. If the lens is the cause, lens implants or replacements may be used. Your eye care professional will guide you based on your prescription, age, and overall eye health.
Cleveland Clinic. (2022). Astigmatism: Symptoms & tests & treatment. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8576-astigmatism
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2025). Astigmatism: Symptoms & causes. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/astigmatism/symptoms-causes/syc-20353835
National Eye Institute. (2024). Astigmatism. National Eye Institute. https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/astigmatism
MedlinePlus. (2024). Astigmatism. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001015.htm
National Library of Medicine. (2023). Astigmatism. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK582142/
ICR (Institut Català de Retina). (2025). Astigmatism. ICR. https://icrcat.com/en/eye-condition/astigmatism/