Free Online Astigmatism Test

Astigmatism is a common refractive error of the eye that affects how light is focused, leading to blurred or distorted vision at all distances. As the leading eye Clinic in London, we wanted to help you with our free Astigmatism online test.

Test Steps

• The distance from your head to the phone/laptop/screen should feel natural. Not too close or far away.
• Place one hand gently over one eye and look at the centre of the circle
• Notice the black lines around the circle
• If some lines look thicker, darker or grey, you're likely to have Astigmatism
• Follow the same steps for the other eye.

The How's And Why's Of Astigmatism

Astigmatism occurs when the cornea or lens of the eye has an irregular shape, rather than being perfectly spherical. This irregularity causes light rays to focus unevenly on the retina, resulting in a combination of nearsightedness (myopia) and farsightedness (hyperopia) in different eye meridians.

The cornea and lens have a smooth curvature in a normal eye, allowing light to focus evenly onto the retina, producing clear vision. However, in astigmatism, the cornea or lens may be shaped more like a football or the back of a spoon, rather than a basketball. As a result, light entering the eye is not uniformly refracted, leading to distorted images.

Symptoms Of Astigmatism

1. Blurred or distorted vision, both near and far.
2. Eyestrain or discomfort, especially after prolonged visual tasks.
3. Difficulty seeing clearly at night or in low light conditions.
4. Headaches or eye fatigue.

Astigmatism can be diagnosed during a comprehensive eye examination by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. Treatment options for astigmatism may include corrective lenses (glasses or contact lenses), refractive surgery (such as LASIK), or orthokeratology (corneal reshaping therapy). The choice of treatment depends on the severity of astigmatism, the patient's lifestyle and preferences, and other factors determined during the eye exam.

FAQ's

1. Common Vision Condition: Astigmatism is a very common refractive error of the eye, affecting millions of people worldwide. It can occur in people of all ages, from children to older adults.
2. Irregular Corneal Shape: Astigmatism occurs when the cornea (the clear, front surface of the eye) or the lens inside the eye has an irregular shape, rather than being perfectly spherical. This irregularity causes light to be focused unevenly on the retina, resulting in blurred or distorted vision.
3. Types of Astigmatism: There are two main types of astigmatism: corneal astigmatism, which occurs due to irregularities in the shape of the cornea, and lenticular astigmatism, which occurs due to irregularities in the shape of the lens inside the eye.
4. Symptoms Vary: Symptoms of astigmatism can vary from person to person and may include blurred or distorted vision at all distances, eyestrain, headaches, squinting, and difficulty seeing clearly at night.
5. Associated with Other Conditions: Astigmatism can often coexist with other refractive errors such as nearsightedness (myopia) or farsightedness (hyperopia). This combination of refractive errors is known as compound astigmatism.
6. Diagnosis: Astigmatism is diagnosed during a comprehensive eye examination by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. This typically involves measuring the curvature of the cornea and assessing how light is focused by the eye.
7. Treatment Options: Treatment for astigmatism may include corrective lenses, such as glasses or contact lenses, which compensate for the irregular shape of the cornea or lens. Refractive surgery, such as LASIK or PRK, can also be an option for some patients.
8. Stable Condition: Astigmatism usually remains relatively stable over time, although it can change gradually, particularly during childhood and adolescence.
9. Hereditary Factor: Astigmatism can have a hereditary component, meaning that it can run in families. Children with parents who have astigmatism may be more likely to develop the condition themselves.
10. Regular Eye Exams: Regular eye examinations are important for detecting and monitoring astigmatism, as well as other vision conditions. Early detection and appropriate management can help prevent complications and ensure optimal vision health.