What is a stigmatism in the eye and how does it affect your vision?

Astigmatism is a common refractive error caused by an irregular shape of the cornea or lens, leading to blurred or distorted vision at any distance. Instead of being perfectly spherical, the cornea is more oval-shaped, which prevents light from focusing evenly on the retina. This condition can cause difficulty in seeing fine details, as well as symptoms like eye strain or headaches. Corrective lenses or surgery can help to improve vision for those with astigmatism.