Astigmatism

Astigmatism is a common vision condition where the eye does not focus light evenly onto the retina, leading to blurred or distorted vision at all distances.

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What happens in astigmatism:

• The cornea (the clear front surface of the eye) or sometimes the lens has an irregular shape.
• Instead of being perfectly round like a basketball, it’s shaped more like a football—curved more in one direction than the other.
• This uneven curvature causes light rays to focus on multiple points on or in front/behind the retina.

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Symptoms:

• Blurred or distorted vision
• Eye strain or discomfort
• Headaches
• Difficulty seeing clearly at night

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Causes of Astigmatism:

1. Congenital (from birth):

   • Most people are born with some degree of astigmatism.

2. Eye injury or surgery:

   • Scars or changes to the cornea can lead to irregular curvature.

3. Keratoconus (less common):

   • A progressive eye disease where the cornea becomes thin and cone-shaped, causing severe astigmatism.

4. Lens-induced astigmatism:

   • The internal lens of the eye may also have an irregular shape, especially with aging.

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Correction:

• Toric lenses (special glasses or contact lenses)
• Laser eye surgery (like LASIK or PRK)
• Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) for temporary correction

Let me know if you’d like a simple sketch or animation-style visual to understand it better!