When Your Vision Feels Blurry, Both Near and Far
Astigmatism is a common refractive error that affects how light enters the eye. It can make both near and distant vision appear blurred or distorted, and may occur on its own or alongside other conditions like myopia (short-sightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness).
At London Eye & Retina, we help individuals of all ages manage astigmatism with tailored vision correction options, regular monitoring, and clear guidance on long-term eye care.
What Is Astigmatism?
Astigmatism occurs when the cornea (the clear front surface of the eye) or the lens inside the eye has an irregular shape, more like a rugby ball than a perfect sphere. This prevents light from focusing evenly on the retina, resulting in blurred or shadowed vision at multiple distances.
Astigmatism is not an eye disease, and in many cases, it’s present from birth.
What Causes It?
Astigmatism can be:
- Corneal – caused by an uneven curvature of the cornea
- Lenticular – due to irregularity in the eye’s internal lens
The exact cause is often genetic. However, astigmatism may also develop or change due to:
- Eye surgery or injury
- Keratoconus or other corneal conditions
- Eyelid pressure or long-term eye rubbing
In children, uncorrected astigmatism may affect visual development and should be addressed early.
What Are the Symptoms?
Mild astigmatism may go unnoticed, but moderate to high astigmatism can lead to:
- Blurred or distorted vision at all distances
- Difficulty seeing clearly at night
- Eye strain or fatigue after reading or screen time
- Headaches or squinting
- Trouble with fine detail or small print
If your vision never seems fully “in focus,” it’s worth having an eye exam.
How Is Astigmatism Diagnosed?
At London Eye & Retina, your eye exam includes:
- Visual acuity testing
- Autorefraction to estimate your prescription
- Manual refraction to fine-tune correction
- Corneal topography to map the shape of your cornea
- Slit-lamp and fundus exam to ensure eye health
In children, cycloplegic refraction may be used to relax the eye’s focusing muscles and provide accurate measurements.
Vision Correction for Astigmatism
Astigmatism can be effectively corrected through several options:
- Spectacles with cylindrical lenses – a simple and common solution
- Toric contact lenses – designed specifically to correct astigmatism
- Rigid gas-permeable or scleral lenses – for irregular astigmatism or corneal conditions
- Laser vision correction – including LASIK, SMILE, and TransPRK, for suitable adult candidates
- Intraocular lenses (IOLs) – for patients undergoing cataract surgery, toric IOLs can correct astigmatism at the same time
Our team will help you choose the option that best fits your lifestyle, vision needs, and long-term eye health.
Astigmatism in Children
Early detection is especially important in children, as uncorrected astigmatism can lead to amblyopia (lazy eye) or affect learning and reading development. Regular vision screening can help ensure your child sees clearly during their critical years of growth.
Is Astigmatism Permanent?
Astigmatism often remains stable but may change over time, especially if associated with eye rubbing, eyelid issues, or corneal conditions. Regular monitoring helps ensure your prescription stays up to date and that any other changes in eye health are detected early.
Blurred Vision Doesn’t Have to Be Your Norm
If you’ve never seen the world in sharp focus, or your current glasses never seem quite right, it could be due to astigmatism. The good news? It’s highly manageable with the right care.
Book a comprehensive eye exam at London Eye & Retina to assess your vision and explore personalised correction options.
Clearer Sight Starts with a Precise Diagnosis
