You can suspect you have astigmatism if you experience symptoms such as:
- Blurred or distorted vision at all distances
- Eyestrain or discomfort
- Headaches
- Difficulty seeing clearly at night
- Squinting to see better
- Eye irritation
These symptoms occur because astigmatism causes the cornea or lens of your eye to have an irregular shape, which distorts how light enters your eye and affects your vision
. To know for sure if you have astigmatism, you need an eye exam by an eye care professional. During the exam, tests such as the visual acuity test (reading letters on a chart), keratometry (measuring corneal curvature), corneal topography (mapping the cornea surface), and autorefractor measurements are used to diagnose and measure the degree of astigmatism
. You can also do simple at-home checks like looking at an astigmatic dial chart (lines radiating from a center point). If some lines appear darker or clearer than others, it may indicate astigmatism. However, these home tests are not definitive and should be followed up with a professional exam
. In summary:
- Notice symptoms like blurry vision, headaches, or squinting
- Use at-home charts for a preliminary check
- Get a comprehensive eye exam for an accurate diagnosis and prescription if needed
Only an eye doctor can confirm astigmatism and recommend appropriate treatment such as glasses, contact lenses, or surgery
