Astigmatism is a common refractive error, which occurs due to an irregular shaped cornea or lens that results in blurred/distorted vision. On a spherical shaped eye, light enters the light and is evenly focussed by the lens onto the retina. On an astigmatic eye, the corneal shape (like a rugby ball) or lens will determine how light bends in the eye & this leads to an uneven focus on the retina.

Typically this can lead to symptoms such as headaches, eye strain, blurred vision & glare/haloes with night vision. We can correct astigmatism through spectacle lenses & contact lenses.