Last Update: 12/10/2000

Welcome to my Astigmatism Simulation page.  Astigmatism occurs when the front surface of the eye (cornea) or the lens inside the eye is irregular in shape, resulting in vision being blurred at all distances.  Astigmatism is not a disease, but is actually a vision condition that is quite common.  Astigmatism is caused when the front of your eye or the lens inside the eye is more oval than round.  The light does not focus properly on the back of the eye (retina).  Most people have some degree of astigmatism.  People with sever astigmatism will have blurred or distorted vision.  Those with mild astigmatism may experience headaches, eye strain, fatigue and/or blurred vision.

A person with Astigmatism will have a number in the “Cylinder” and “Axis” columns on their prescription.  The Cylinder is the power of the astigmatism and can be expressed in a “Plus (+)” power or a “Minus (-)” power.  The Axis is the offset for the astigmatism.   If the Axis is at 180, the power specified will be on the vertical axis.  If the Axis is at 90, the power specified will be on the horizontal axis.  So if a person has a prescription with -6.00 Cylinder, Axis 180, all of the power (-6.00) is at 180 (vertical).  The power at Axis 90 would be 0.00.  When you looked through this lens, the width of objects would be normal, but the height of objects would be smaller.  I think the pictures will help clarify the explanation.

Astigmatism Test

Astigmatism - Near

Astigmatism - Far

Astigmatism - Split View

Astigmatism Xtreme - Far

Astigmatism Xtreme - Near