Astigmatism

Astigmatism is an optical defect in which the sight is blurred because of the incapacity of the optical system of the eye to focus the image of an object sharply to a point on the retina.

Astigmatism occurs when the cornea, or the eye lens, has an irregular curvature, and it is one of a group of eye conditions known as refractive errors.

There are two kinds of astigmatism; regular and irregular. Regular astigmatism is an alteration in the normal shape of the cornea, or lens. Irregular astigmatism is is caused by a corneal scar or scattering in the crystalline lens.

Astigmatism can be corrected with eyeglasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery.