Location: Eye Health >> Eye Conditions & Diseases >> Astigmatism

Astigmatism

Cause
For many individuals, light entering the eye will focus in two different locations. This is usually due to variations in the curvature of the cornea. This condition is most often referred to as astigmatism and correction involves the use of spectacle lenses or special contact lenses that incorporate both powers needed to achieve a single clear image on the retina. Contact lenses ARE available for people with astigmatism. There is considerable time and skill involved in fitting patients with these lenses but it can be done for ALL astigmatisms if the patient is highly motivated to try.

Symptoms
People with astigmatism may be blurry at distance and near, whereas farsighted people are usually blurry at near and nearsighted people are usually blurry at far. Astigmatism also may cause certain letters or characters appear more blurry than others.

Treatment
Correction involves the use of spectacle lenses or special contact lenses that incorporate both powers needed to achieve a single clear image on the retina.

Astigmatism and contact lenses
Contact lenses ARE available for people with astigmatism. There is considerable time and skill involved in fitting patients with these lenses but it can be done for ALL astigmatisms if the patient is highly motivated to try.