AstigmatismSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Astigmatism
Astigmatism is a type of refractive error of the eye. Refractive errors cause blurred vision. They are the most common reason why a person goes to see an eye professional.
Other types of refractive errors are:
- Farsightedness
- Nearsightedness
People are able to see because the front part of the eye bends (refracts) light and focuses it on the retina. This is the inside of the back surface of the eye.
If the light rays are not clearly focused on the retina, the images you see may be blurry.
With astigmatism, the cornea is abnormally curved. This curve causes vision to be out of focus.
The cause of astigmatism is unknown. It is most often present from birth. Astigmatism often occurs together with nearsightedness or farsightedness. If astigmatism gets worse, it may be a sign of keratoconus.
Astigmatism is very common. It sometimes occurs after certain types of eye surgery, such as cataract surgery.
Astigmatism makes it hard to see fine details, either close up or from a distance.
Mild astigmatism may not need to be corrected.
Glasses or contact lenses will correct astigmatism, but do not cure it.
Laser surgery can help change the shape of the cornea surface to eliminate astigmatism, along with nearsightedness or farsightedness.
Baylor College Of Medicine - Ophthalmology
Douglas Koch is an Ophthalmologist practicing medicine in Houston, Texas. Dr. Koch is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Astigmatism. He is also highly rated in 5 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Astigmatism, Cataract, Keratoconus, Cataract Removal, and Corneal Transplant. Dr. Koch is currently accepting new patients.
Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
James Randleman is an Ophthalmologist practicing medicine in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Randleman is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Astigmatism. He is also highly rated in 7 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Keratoconus, Astigmatism, Nearsightedness, Cataract Removal, and Vitrectomy. Dr. Randleman is board certified in American Board Of Ophthalmology, 2005. Dr. Randleman is currently accepting new patients.
Sonia Yoo is an Ophthalmologist practicing medicine in Miami, Florida. Dr. Yoo is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Astigmatism. She is also highly rated in 15 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Cataract, Keratoconus, Astigmatism, Cataract Removal, and Corneal Transplant. Dr. Yoo is currently accepting new patients.
Astigmatism may change with time, requiring new glasses or contact lenses. Laser vision correction can most often eliminate, or greatly reduce astigmatism.
In children, uncorrected astigmatism in only one eye may cause amblyopia.
Contact your health care provider or ophthalmologist if vision problems worsen, or do not improve with glasses or contact lenses.
Summary: The aim of this clinical study is to evaluate a toric add-on intraocular lens (IOL) for the correction of high astigmatism in patients who have undergone keratoplasty and cataract surgery. As this patient group often suffers from significant preoperative residual astigmatism, there is a relevant clinical need for effective and safe refractive treatment options. The implantation of a toric add-on I...
Summary: To provide comprehensive evaluation of WaveLight® Plus technology by assessing impact on both functional low-light vision and patient reported outcomes
Published Date: July 09, 2024
Published By: Audrey Tai, DO, MS, Athena Eye Care, Mission Viejo, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Le NT, Mamalis C, Weikert MP, Al-Mohtaseb Z. Excimer laser surface ablation: photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), laser subepithelial keratomileusis (LASEK), and Epi-LASIK. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, eds. Ophthalmology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 3.3.
Olitsky SE, Marsh JD. Abnormalities of refraction and accommodation. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 660.
Stevens DV, Young JA. Correction of refractive errors. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, eds. Ophthalmology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 2.4.