Eye Health More Eye Issues & Safety Symptoms of Astigmatism By Luana Ferreira Luana Ferreira is a journalist with an international background and over a decade of experience covering the most different areas, including science and health Learn about our editorial process Luana Ferreira Published on January 20, 2021 Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Frequent Symptoms Complications When to See a Doctor Astigmatism is a common vision problem caused by an irregularly shaped cornea that prevents light from focusing properly on the retina, the light-sensitive surface at the back of the eye. The most common symptom is blurred or distorted vision at any distance. People with astigmatism may also have eye strain, headaches, squinting to try to see clearly, or eye discomfort. People with a mild form of astigmatism may not notice any symptoms. It's important to note that some symptoms of astigmatism can be related to other eye problems. It is therefore essential to receive regular eye exams. This is especially true for children, who may not realize anything is wrong with their vision. Important Facts Parents Should Know About Kids' Eye Exams Frequent Symptoms Blurred Vision The most common symptom of astigmatism is blurred vision. Astigmatism occurs because the eye has a different shape than normal. A normal eye has a round shape, while one with astigmatism is shaped like a football, which makes light rays unable to focus at a single point. This results in blurred vision at any distance. Sometimes the blurry vision is mild and goes unnoticed in people with astigmatism. Refractive Errors Astigmatism is a form of refractive error, which affects how the eyes bend or refract light. Other types of conditions that are also refractive errors include myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness). Double Vision When the eyes are not aligned, the same object will appear doubled. Many problems can lead to double vision, including cataracts, strabismus and astigmatism. People with more severe cases of astigmatism will often have double vision. It often happens in just one eye in this population. What Causes Double Vision? Eye Strain Eye strain is a common symptom of astigmatism. People with astigmatism often feel that their eyes are tired or sensitive to light. The problem can appear when they read a book or look at a screen, for example, and go away when the activity stops. Eye strain can last from a few minutes to several hours, and can be followed by other symptoms, including: Eye painDry eyesItching or burning eyesSquintingHeadaches, especially around your eyes and foreheadBlurred or doubled visionPoor concentrationEye twitchingPhotophobia (light sensitivity) What Causes Eye Strain or Tired Eyes? Headaches Astigmatism is a refractive problem that forces the eye muscles to try to focus images properly. The excessive straining and squinting can trigger headaches, but they can also be linked to other vision problems. Although headaches are a common problem, when people notice they are combined with sudden changes in the vision, they should schedule a doctor as soon as possible. Low Night Vision The irregular shape of the eye with astigmatism prevents light from focusing correctly on the retina, causing blurry and distorted vision. People with astigmatism will struggle to see images clearly, especially in a dark environment. At night, vision declines even more since the eye needs to dilate to let more light in. As the pupil dilates, or gets larger, more peripheral light rays enter the eye, causing even more blur. This can make driving at night more difficult. How to Minimize Unpleasant Symptoms of My Astigmatism? Excessive Squinting People with astigmatism squint a lot because the eye muscles are constantly trying to solve the focusing problem. Complications Astigmatism is a common problem, occurring in about one in three people in the United States and may occur in combination with near- or farsightedness. It can lead to severe complications if left untreated, including: Keratoconus: This condition happens when astigmatism gets steadily worse over time. In keratoconus, the cornea gets progressively thinner in one area and begins to bulge. If it progresses, it can result in corneal scarring, which can lead to vision loss. Some people with keratoconus report vision fluctuating frequently. In some cases, it may take years for people to notice any change in vision. People with this condition also report that their vision doesn't improve much with corrective glassesAmblyopia: Blur induced by uncorrected astigmatism during early development can result in amblyopia. It can happen if one eye is affected by astigmatism or both eyes are affected unequally. People born with astigmatism may have this problem, which is also known as lazy eye because the brain doesn't respond to the signs it receives from the affected eye. When it is diagnosed in the early stage, it can be fixed with wearing eye patches. Some cases may require surgery, which is often performed at a young age When to See a Doctor The symptoms of astigmatism are often mild and can go unnoticed. However, when the symptoms are constant and make daily activities like driving or reading more difficult, it is important to get a comprehensive eye exam. Usually, you can correct mild to moderate astigmatism with eyeglasses or contact lenses. Eyeglasses contain a special cylindrical lens prescription that compensates for astigmatism and provides additional power in specific parts of the lens. Generally, a single-vision lens is prescribed to provide clear vision at all distances. It is crucial to have your eyes checked every two years to detect astigmatism and any other problem early. For people who are 60 years old or older, they should receive an exam once a year. People should schedule a visit with their optometrist or ophthalmologist if they notice any sudden changes in their vision. Maintaining Your Eye Health With Regular Exams A Word From Verywell Astigmatism is a common vision problem that is caused by an abnormality in the eye anatomy, so there is no way to prevent this problem. You can, however, catch astigmatism early and avoid letting it cause additional complications by getting your eyes checked regularly. A wide range of options are available to help you cope with and even correct your astigmatism. Consult your doctor to learn more about the best treatment for you. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. American Optometric Association. Astigmatism. American Academy of Ophthalmology. What Is Astigmatism? Updated August 31, 2018 Harvard Health Publishing. Astigmatism. Updated March, 2019 American Optometric Association. Astigmatism Stanford Health Care. Eye Strain Symptoms American Academy of Ophthalmology. Eye Health Statistics. Harvey EM. Development and treatment of astigmatism-related amblyopia. Optom Vis Sci. 2009;86(6):634-639. doi: 10.1097/OPX.0b013e3181a6165f American Association of Ophthalmology. Astigmatism Diagnosis and Treatment. Updated August 31, 2018 Additional Reading American Academy of Ophthalmology. What Is Astigmatism? Updated August 31, 2018Harvard Health Publishing. Astigmatism. Updated March, 2019Stanford Health Care. Eye Strain SymptomsAmerican Optometric Association. AstigmatismAmerican Academy of Ophthalmology. Eye Health Statistics. Updated on 2015Harvey EM. Development and treatment of astigmatism-related amblyopia. Optom Vis Sci. 2009;86(6):634-639. doi: 10.1097/OPX.0b013e3181a6165fAmerican Association of Ophthalmology. Astigmatism Diagnosis and Treatment. Updated August 31, 2018