Astigmatism
Astigmatism is an eye condition that affects the curvature of the cornea or the lens, causing blurred vision. It is a quite common condition and it can co-occur with myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness). Typically, astigmatism is present ever since birth, but it’s only diagnosed later in life since kids don’t usually realize the vision impairment. While sometimes it’s not a serious condition, if it becomes pronounced lenses or surgery can help with the symptoms.
First, let’s briefly tackle the anatomy of the eye and how it works in order to better understand what astigmatism is and what are its consequences.