Why do things look blurry?
Astigmatism is a very common focusing error of the eyes which causes blur. It is
caused by the shape of the eye, usually due to the cornea’s surface or occasionally due
to the eyes lens being tilted. Sometimes astigmatism can be inherited but it often
happens as a normal characteristic of growth.

Blur from astigmatism is not like that from myopia where all of an image is equally
blurred, because some parts of the image are more out of focus than others.
The blur of astigmatism makes things uncomfortable to look at, difficult to focus and
may cause headaches, tiredness and poor concentration.

What about tired eyes?
Astigmatism can also result in fatigued eyes, especially if you are concentrating on
anything for a long period of time, whether looking up close (for example, studying or
computer use) or in the distance (for example, driving). This is because astigmatism
affects objects seen at all distances, from close reading through to desk and computer
use, to television and driving. The eyes tire if they focus back and forth between two
slightly different images, trying to find the best compromise. Fatigue also occurs if
the person tries to “screw up” their eyes to see better as the muscles of the eyelids and
face become uncomfortable.

How can glasses help?
Even if a person sees quite well, eye comfort, visual efficiency and ease of seeing is
improved with the astigmatism corrected. Spectacles or contact lenses can correct for
the difference in focus in various parts of the image – sometimes they need to be worn
all the time and sometimes only when concentrating on a specific task. A new
prescription correcting astigmatism can sometimes be uncomfortable to wear initially,
because it alters the distorted blur that you have become used to. Some people notice
that walls or tables slope, or that objects can appear to be odd shapes (a round plate
might look oval, for example). Most people adjust well and are very comfortable in a
few days, but some people need to trade off clarity for comfort. Your Optometrist
will be able to discuss this with you.

What should I do?
To sum up, astigmatism is a common condition of eye shape, not a disease. It can be
detected and treated with an eye examination and compensated for by spectacles or
contact lenses. If left untreated, astigmatism can cause blurred vision or eye fatigue
or headaches, giving considerable discomfort and stress.