Astigmatism

Astigmatism

Astigmatism is a condition in which the cornea is shaped more like a spoon than a dome.  It is flatter in one direction and steeper in the other, or toric.  It causes distorted images much like the mirrors at an amusement park.

Above is shown a corneal topographic map of astigmatism.  It shows a "bowtie" pattern which is typical of an astigmatic cornea.

Astigmatism can usually be corrected with glasses or contacts.  Usually the contacts are either toric soft lenses or rigid gas permeable (RGP), or hard, contacts.