[Optometry Student Share] I have an astigmatism. What is that?

Astigmatism is a term utilized by optometrists to portray a prescription for one eye that needs two forces to carry it into centering. It is not an ailment or something that will make you go blind, however it can make things blurry at separation and at close.


Most individuals are acquainted with the expressions "partially blind" and "far-located." In the eye mind planet we utilize the expression "astigmatism" for myopia and "hyperopia" or "hypermetropia" for far-sightedness. These terms are utilized to depict the force (+ or -) of the lens required to make you see unmistakably.

Assuming that your prescription needs one and only power to carry your eye into center then you can consider it being basic. So if your prescription has a number like -4.00, then you have basic astigmatism. Thus, provided that you have a prescription of +2.25, then you have straightforward hyperopia.

In the event that you have an astigmatism in your eye, then you have two powers that need to be remedied for you to see plainly. Having an astigmatism in your eye is our method for portraying a compound prescription.


In place of only one straightforward power like we portrayed prior, there are two forces together. Contingent upon your prescription, you can have nearsightedness with astigmatism or hyperopia with astigmatism.

A regular illustration optometrists use to portray astigmatism to patients is the contrast between a basketball/b-ball and a (american) football. A ball is great and adjust, and has stand out bend for the whole ball. You can think about that bend as a lens force. A b-ball is a great case of a straightforward prescription. A football, then again, has two bends. This is similar to an eye that has two forces or an astigmatism.

Astigmatism is not an eye ailment, yet rather a term we optometrists use to portray a compound prescription in one eye. So don't be frightened if your optometrist lets you know that you have some astigmatism in your eyes. You are not alone – I have an astigmatism in both of my eyes and I see extremely well!