Astigmatism is a frequent eye condition in which the corneal and lens curvatures shift as a result of the eye’s transformation from a round to an oval shape. As light rays from an object strike the lens, the lens distributes these rays across several focal points of the retina rather than just one, creating a blurred image of the item.

Some common symptoms noticed in the patient with astigmatism are,

• Blurred vision both near and distant
• Headache
• Irritation of eyes
• Redness of eyes
• Stress of eyes
• Squinting when trying to see the object.

• Healthy vision is measured in diopters which is a unit of the refractive power of the eye lens.
• A person with healthy eyes shows 0 D.
• People with a low degree of astigmatism can show 0.5 to 0.75 D of astigmatism, and any value above 1.5 D indicates a high degree of astigmatism, which may need the use of glasses, surgery, or other methods of treatment.

Astigmatism and Myopia: Astigmatism and myopia both are refractive disorders of the eye but in myopia or nearsightedness distance between the lens and retina increases and the image of the object form before the retina instead of the retina.

Astigmatism and Hyperopia: In hyperopia, the size of the eyeball reduces or the distance between the lens and retina decreases, and the image of the object forms behind the retina; therefore, any objects closer to the eye are not visible clearly.

Presbyopia: This refractive disorder is directly associated with aging, and in this state, people are not able to view objects farther than arm’s length without any aid.

Genes: Like myopia, astigmatism is also common in a person who is having a history of astigmatism in their family or near relatives.

Eye injury: Any impact on the eye results in a change in the shape of the eyeball.

Disease or infection: Disease or infection which results in change into the curvature of the eye and, or cornea causes astigmatism.

Screen time: All factors are unknown yet, but doctors also believe that too long exposure to television or computer screens can also result in astigmatism.