Astigmatism, A Brief Overview. Frequently Asked Questions Press Releases Links to other resources Fundraising Donations, shopping, books, Paypal Site Map List of all our web pages Back to our Medical Information page . Astigmatism is not a disease, but is actually a vision condition that is quite common. The causes of this irregular shape are unclear. In some cases, it may be hereditary or it may result from such factors as pressure of the eyelids on the cornea, incorrect posture or an increased use of the eyes for close work.
Most people have some degree of astigmatism.
However, only moderate to highly astigmatic eyes may need corrective lenses. People with severe astigmatism will usually have blurred or distorted vision. Those with mild astigmatism may experience headaches, eye strain, fatigue or blurred vision at certain distances. A comprehensive eye examination by an optometric physician will include tests for astigmatism. Almost all levels of astigmatism can be optically corrected with properly prescribed and fitted eyeglasses or contact lenses.