Astigmatism is a form of eye disorder that causes the eye to focus at different lengths based on which direction the light is hitting the eye. Astigmatism is not the same as near sightedness or far sightedness, although very often they go together.

Astigmatism is caused by a change in the shape of the cornea of the eye. The cornea is the clear film that covers the outside of the visible portion of the eye ball. When light strikes the cornea, it gets refracted first before it strikes the lens. The lens finally focuses the light on the retina. The retina is what converts light signals into electrical impulses that are carried to the brain. In astigmatism, the cornea is not smoothly convex. Certain portions of the cornea bulge at a different curvature from the rest of the cornea. The result of this is that when light strikes those portions of the cornea that are normally convex, vision is perfect. When light strikes those portions of the cornea that bulge differently, the focal point moves a little forward of the retina, resulting in improper vision.

Mild cases of astigmatism may not cause any ocular defects, the brain is able to correct any discrepancy in the vision. When astigmatism is more serious, it needs to be corrected so that the person can regain normal vision.

Treatments
Astigmatism is a very common eye defect and has been treated since generations with spectacles. The spectacles will refract the light before it hits the cornea, correcting the error caused by the bulge.

Another astigmatism treatment method is the use of contact lenses. Contact lenses cover the eye entirely and are therefore a much better solution than spectacles. Not only are they able to rectify frontal vision, but even peripheral vision is corrected with contact lenses.

Corrective eye surgery is also possible, although this is a last resort. There have been many cases where astigmatism has been caused as a result of eye surgery and doctors therefore, do not recommend surgery as a treatment option.