Astigmatism is a common eye condition, yet many people are unaware they have it or how it affects their vision. While astigmatism can be a complex topic, its basic cause is simple: it arises from an irregular shape of the eye.

I see many patients in the office that mention that they “have been told that I have astigmatism,” but most people don’t even know that they have astigmatism or how it affects their vision! You might have heard the comment, ‘the eye is shaped like a football’ but this is only partly the case. In a perfect world, with perfect vision, the front of the eye is perfectly round like a baseball. This keeps light focused to a single point, making everything clear. However, in individuals with astigmatism, the cornea (the front surface of the eye) is unevenly curved, either more steeply in one direction (horizontal or vertical) than in another. This irregular shape causes light to focus on two points instead of one, leading to blurry or distorted vision.

The most common symptom of astigmatism is blurred or distorted vision, especially in low-light conditions such as at night. People with astigmatism may also notice halos or streaks of light, often described as a “starburst” effect around lights, particularly in the evening or when driving at night. With the shorter days and increased night driving in the winter months, many individuals may find these symptoms more noticeable and disruptive.

Fortunately, several effective options exist for managing astigmatism and improving vision.