WHAT IS ASTIGMATISM?

Astigmatism is one of the most common eye conditions that can affect one or both eyes. Astigmatism can result in blurred or distorted vision at all distances. It can affect people at any age and often people with astigmatism are short-sighted or long-sighted too. 

Your vision is blurry or distorted. Now what? Astigmatism can affect anyone — regardless of age. When your eye is curved unevenly, it has problems focusing light and that means blurry vision. Astigmatism is not a disease — it’s completely normal, and more common than you might think.

What Causes Astigmatism?

Astigmatism occurs when the surface of the eye (cornea)or the lens behind it is not a round shape, but oval like a rugby ball. This distorts the light entering the eye which does not focus correctly on the retina, and as a result the image is blurred.

Simply put: your eyeball is supposed to be shaped like a baseball, but astigmatism causes it to be more like a football. You can be born with astigmatism, or you may notice it over time. There are two types of astigmatism: regular and irregular.

What Are Common Symptoms of Astigmatism?

Astigmatism can cause blurred vision when you are trying to focus on objects at long distances, such as road signs or you have to reply to that text in brighter light. It can also affect your vision for close activities, such as reading or sewing. If left uncorrected, astigmatism can lead to more severe symptoms such as:

  • headaches 
  • fatigue
  • squinting 
  • eye-muscle pain
  • blurry vision

What Are The Types of Astigmatism?

Astigmatism can be of two types — regular or irregular.

  1. Regular Astigmatism — is when the cornea is curved more in one direction than the other. This is the most common form of astigmatism and can easily be treated or corrected with glasses or toric contact lenses.
  2. Irregular Astigmatism — is fairly uncommon and occurs when the curvature of the cornea is uneven. It may be the result of an eye injury and related damage to the cornea, or a condition such as keratoconus, a progressive eye condition where the central cornea thins and becomes irregular in shape. Irregular astigmatism cannot always be corrected with glasses, however, it may be possible to correct the condition with specialist contact lenses.

Contact Lenses For Astigmatism

For clear vision with astigmatism, your corrective contact lenses need to remain in place and not rotate or move out of position even with active lifestyles. ACUVUE® Brand Contact Lenses for astigmatism feature unique Eyelid Stabilised Design – a technology that helps ensure your vision stays stable, crisp and clear as you go about your day.

Diagnosing Astigmatism

If you suspect you have astigmatism, use the “Find An Eye Care Professional” tool to find an Eye Care Professional near you and schedule an eye examination.

Test for Astigmatism Online Using our Astigmatism Screener

In the meantime, why not see whether there’s a possibility of you having astigmatism? Simply follow the steps below and answer all the questions provided.

ACUVUE® BRAND CONTACT LENSES FOR ASTIGMATISM

For clear vision with astigmatism, your corrective contact lenses need to remain in place and not rotate or move out of position even with active lifestyles. ACUVUE® Brand Contact Lenses for astigmatism feature unique Eyelid Stabilised Design – a technology that helps ensure your vision stays stable, crisp and clear as you go about your day.

Frequently Asked Questions About Astigmatism

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