What Does Astigmatism Look Like?

March 03, 2025

Do you experience blurry vision, headaches, or eye strain? These are just a few symptoms of astigmatism, an eye condition that affects every one in three Americans.

Keep reading, and we'll tell you what astigmatism looks like.

Key Takeaways

Astigmatism is a refractive error that occurs when the eye has an irregularly shaped cornea or lens.
Symptoms of astigmatism include blurred vision, headaches, squinting to see clearly, eye strain, eye fatigue, or seeing a glare or halo around lights.
There is no consensus on the cause of astigmatism, though it is believed to usually come from genetics or an eye injury.

What Is Astigmatism?

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, astigmatism is one of the most common refractive errors, affecting 33% of Americans. Astigmatism occurs when the cornea or lens isn't curved as it should be.

So, what exactly does that mean?

Think about it this way: Your eye is naturally curved, like a baseball or basketball. This curvature allows you to see, as it ensures light bends correctly as it enters the eye.

But when you have astigmatism, your eye is shaped like a football or egg, instead of a perfect sphere. This irregular shape causes the light rays entering your eye to irregularly bend. This results in vision problems such as blurriness or distortion.

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What Causes Astigmatism?

There is no consensus about what causes astigmatism. Most cases of astigmatism are believed to be caused by genetics or an eye injury, but other cases are congenital.

While we're on the topic, let's debunk this myth now: No, sitting too close to the TV can't cause astigmatism (though that can contribute to eye strain.)

Bonus: Why Do My Glasses Give Me a Headache? 3 Reasons Why

What Are the Symptoms of Astigmatism?

People with astigmatism generally have blurred vision. Other symptoms are common, including:

Headaches
Eye strain
Eye fatigue
Squinting to see clearly
Seeing halos or glare around lights

A case of mild astigmatism may only result in some minor symptoms and may not result in significant vision problems.

What do People With Astigmatism See?

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Image Source: Warby Parker

People with astigmatism generally can't see as clearly as people with normal vision. They may experience distorted or blurry vision. In some cases, they may also have double vision, fuzzy vision, or see streaky lights, halos, or glares at night (which can pose a challenge for night driving).

How Is Astigmatism Detected?

If you think you may have a refractive error or astigmatism, the next step is to schedule an eye exam. Your optometrist will check for signs of refractive errors, screen you for eye conditions, and go over your treatment options.

Remember that vision changes are normally very gradual, and you will likely not notice them creeping up on you. That's why having an annual eye exam is essential!

Keep Reading: What to Do with Old Glasses? 4 Creative & Sustainable Ideas

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People Also Ask

What does a person with astigmatism see?

A person with astigmatism will have blurry, double, or distorted vision. The severity of these symptoms will depend on the individual.

How do you know if you have astigmatism?

The most common symptoms include blurry vision, headaches, eye strain, trouble seeing at night, and feeling the need to squint to see clearly.

If you experience any of these symptoms, visit your optometrist to have a comprehensive eye exam.

What can be mistaken for astigmatism?

One thing that can be mistaken for astigmatism is keratoconus, a progressive eye condition that can cause blurry vision. However, keratoconus and astigmatism have different causes and treatments.

At your eye exam, your eye doctor will be able to screen you for signs of eye disease (early detection is an important part of eye health!)

Can you correct astigmatism?

Yes, you can correct astigmatism with glasses or contact lenses. Glasses and contact lenses are able to correct the uneven shape of the cornea or lens, which can help with nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.

In some cases, people turn to laser eye surgery or Lasik eye surgery to have their astigmatism corrected.

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Oculus Eyecare is Seattle’s premier optometry practice and optical boutique for those looking to see and be seen in a new way. Located in South Lake Union on Denny Way, Oculus Eyecare offers comprehensive eye care services and exams for individuals and families in Seattle. Click here to schedule an appointment or a personal styling session. To stay connected and learn more, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X/Twitter.