Is a common and treatable eye condition that causes irregular focus. Normally, the front surface of an eye is rounded like a football, but in an eye with astigmatism, it is shaped like an oval rugby ball. This alters the path of light to the eye, so the image formed at the back of the eye is not sharply focused.
Astigmatism typically develops in early childhood or adolescence, which is why children should be examined by an ophthalmologist when they start school.
Symptoms of astigmatism include blurring and distortion of objects near or far away, headaches when trying to focus on the visual field, and "tired eyes”.
Correcting astigmatism is generally quite simple, using prescription glasses or contact lenses or surgical correction, such as LASIK laser eye surgery.