Astigmatism is a common eye condition that causes blurred vision. It occurs when the cornea (the clear front cover of the eye) is irregularly shaped or because of the curvature of the lens inside the eye. We explain this as the eye having a football shape instead of being round like a basketball. This irregularity can cause blurred vision at all distances and cause discomfort and headaches.

Most people have some degree of astigmatism. Slight astigmatism usually doesn’t affect vision or require treatment.  Astigmatism can be treated with glasses and/or toric contact lenses. Patients undergoing cataract surgery may want to correct their astigmatism by selecting toric intraocular lenses for implantation.