Have you ever looked at streetlights, car headlights, or neon signs at night and noticed that they look streaky, stretched, or blurry?

This may be a sign of astigmatism, a common type of refractive error that can affect how clearly you see due to an irregularly shaped cornea.

What is Astigmatism?

Imagine the front surface of your eye, also known as the cornea, as a smooth, round football. When the surface is evenly curved, light enters the eye and focuses clearly on the retina, helping you see a sharp image. 

With astigmatism, the cornea surface is shaped more like a rugby ball, with mismatched curves in different directions. Because of this uneven curvature, light does not focus neatly at one single point. Instead, it may focus at multiple points, causing blurred or distorted vision. 

Astigmatism can occur on its own, but is also often found together with nearsightedness, commonly known as myopia, or farsightedness, also known as hyperopia. 

Signs and Symptoms of Astigmatism

• Blurred or distorted vision 
• Streaky lights, halos, or star-like patterns, especially at night
• Eye strain or tired eyes after near work 
• Frequent squinting to see clearly
• Headaches after long hours of near work 
• Difficulty seeing clearly when driving at night 

Causes of Astigmatism

Astigmatism is often hereditary. However, it can develop or worsen later in life due to changes in the shape of the cornea. Some factors include: 

• Frequent eye rubbing as it places repeated physical pressure on the cornea, weakening and altering its curvature over time. 
• Eye injuries or surgeries 
• Keratoconus, a condition where the cornea gradually thins and becomes more cone-shaped.

What should I do if I have Astigmatism? 

If you suspect that you may have astigmatism, the best thing to do is to visit an optometrist for a comprehensive eye examination. An optometrist can check your prescription, assess your eye health, and determine whether you have astigmatism. 

Common options for correcting astigmatism includes: 

• Spectacles
• Toric contact lenses 
• Refractive surgery (eg. LASIK)

At TWOOAK, our Halo Toric lenses are designed for wearers with astigmatism to provide clear and stable vision throughout the day.

Unlike regular spherical contact lens, toric contact lens are specially designed with different powers in different directions to help correct the uneven focusing caused by astigmatism. They are also designed to sit in a stable position so that it consistently aligns with the part of the cornea that requires correction. 

However, it is important to note that such corrective options and surgeries do not cure astigmatism itself but only corrects them to give you better vision.