Astigmatism

Astigmatism occurs when light focusses unevenly due to the shape of the optical elements of the eye.  While an eye without astigmatism would be shaped like a sphere (e.g. a round ball- soccer or basketball) an eye with astigmatism is shaped more like an Australian rules or rugby ball.  This means that the light bends more in one direction than another, causing blurry or distorted vision over all distances.  Most of us have some astigmatism and it also occurs with short or long-sightedness.