Astigmatism
Astigmatism: sharper vision at every distance.
Astigmatism is a common focusing problem caused by a cornea shaped more like a football than a basketball. It blurs and distorts vision at all distances and can cause double images or shadows.
All distances
Blur near and far, not just one
Often combined
Frequently occurs with nearsightedness or farsightedness
Treatable
Glasses, toric lenses, laser or lens replacement
Symptoms and causes
When light can’t find a single focus.
In a normal eye, the cornea and lens focus light on one point on the retina. With astigmatism, an uneven curve focuses light at different points, so images look stretched or blurry.
Astigmatism above about 0.5 diopters usually needs correction. Early diagnosis helps limit its effect on daily life.
Common causes
Astigmatism can come from:
- Heredity, including conditions like keratoconus
- Previous eye surgery, such as cataract surgery
- Corneal scarring or thinning
- High nearsightedness or farsightedness
Laser vision correction
Reshaping the cornea into a rounder curve.
LASIK uses an excimer laser to create a smoother, more even curve, customized to your prescription. Both eyes take about 15 to 20 minutes, and most people are back to daily activities within a day.
Treatment options
Ways to correct astigmatism.
The best choice depends on your age, prescription, corneal health and lifestyle.
I
Glasses and toric contacts
The simplest correction. Toric contacts can rotate on the eye, which blurs vision for some people.
II
LASIK, PRK or LASEK
Laser treatment reshapes the cornea. PRK and LASEK suit thinner corneas, with a few extra days of recovery.
III
Toric lens replacement
For more mature eyes, a toric implant corrects astigmatism during lens replacement or cataract surgery.
Your next step
Find the right fix for your eyes.
A thorough consultation measures your astigmatism and compares every option with you.
Your best vision starts here.
Call us
Visit US
1211 W La Palma Ave, Ste 201
Anaheim, CA 9280
Anaheim, CA 9280
Office hours
Monday–Friday, 8 am–5 pm
Saturday–Sunday closed
Saturday–Sunday closed