Astigmatism
in Singapore

What Is Astigmatism?
Astigmatism is a common refractive condition that can cause vision to appear blurred, distorted or less sharply defined.
It occurs when the optical system of the eye has different focusing powers in different meridians.
Instead of light being focused equally in all directions, different orientations of light may be focused differently.
Astigmatism can occur on its own or together with myopia (short-sightedness) or hyperopia (long-sightedness).
Depending on the amount and type of astigmatism, it may affect vision at distance, near or both.
At Eye Zen Optical in Singapore, we provide personalised vision assessments and spectacle solutions based on your prescription, symptoms and everyday visual requirements.
​
What Causes Astigmatism?
Astigmatism commonly occurs because the front surface of the eye — the cornea — does not have exactly the same curvature in every direction.
Astigmatism can also arise from the crystalline lens inside the eye.
This means the eye has different optical powers across different meridians.
As a result, light entering the eye does not form a single, equally focused image on the retina.
This can contribute to blurred or distorted vision.
​
Is an Astigmatic Eye Really Shaped Like a Rugby Ball?
Astigmatism is sometimes explained by saying:
“A normal eye is shaped like a football, while an astigmatic eye is shaped like a rugby ball.”
This can be useful as a very simple analogy, but it is not a complete description.
Astigmatism is fundamentally an optical focusing difference between different meridians of the eye.
The amount and orientation of this difference are what the cylinder components of a spectacle prescription describe.
​
What Does Astigmatism Look Like?
Astigmatism does not necessarily produce simple overall blur.
Some people describe their vision as:

• Blurry

• Distorted

• Stretched

• Shadowed

• Less defined

• Difficult to focus precisely

Fine details may appear less crisp, and letters or lights may sometimes appear to have shadows or extensions in particular directions.
The visual effect depends on the amount and orientation of the astigmatism as well as whether myopia or hyperopia is also present.
​
Common Signs and Symptoms of Astigmatism
Depending on the individual, astigmatism may be associated with:

• Blurred vision

• Distorted vision

• Difficulty seeing fine details

• Eye strain

• Visual fatigue

• Headaches associated with visual tasks

• Squinting to see more clearly

• Difficulty seeing clearly at night

• Difficulty reading small text

• Shadowing around letters

• Lights appearing less sharply defined

• Difficulty adapting to a new spectacle prescription

Some people with mild astigmatism experience few or no noticeable symptoms.
Eye strain and headaches can have many different causes and should not automatically be attributed to astigmatism.
​
Astigmatism at Distance and Near
Unlike the simple idea that myopia affects distance and hyperopia affects near, astigmatism can reduce visual clarity at multiple viewing distances.
Someone may notice difficulty with:

• Road signs

• Television subtitles

• Computer screens

• Mobile phones

• Reading

• Fine detail

• Night driving

The effect depends on the individual's complete refractive prescription.
​
Astigmatism, Myopia and Hyperopia
Astigmatism frequently occurs together with other refractive conditions.
You can have:
Myopia + Astigmatism
or
Hyperopia + Astigmatism
The spherical component of the prescription and the astigmatic component work together to determine the overall correction required.
This is why looking only at the “degree” or spherical number does not provide a complete picture of someone's spectacle prescription.
​
Can Astigmatism Be Different Between the Two Eyes?
Yes.
The amount of astigmatism can differ between the right and left eyes.
For example, one eye may have little astigmatism while the other has a considerably larger cylinder correction.
There can also be differences in myopia or hyperopia between the two eyes.
When there is a significant overall refractive difference between the eyes, this is known as anisometropia.
For more complex prescriptions, visual comfort may depend not only on correcting each eye individually but also on how comfortably the two eyes work together through the finished spectacles.
​
Why Can New Astigmatism Glasses Feel Strange?
Some people adapt to a new astigmatic prescription immediately.
Others may initially notice that their vision feels different.
Possible sensations can include:

• Objects appearing slightly tilted

• Floors or surfaces feeling different

• Changes in spatial perception

• A temporary “swimming” sensation

• Different peripheral vision

• Headaches or eye strain

• Difficulty adjusting to a changed cylinder 

These sensations may occur particularly when:

• Astigmatism is being corrected for the first time

• Cylinder power has changed significantly​

• There has been a large overall prescription change

• The new frame sits differently from the previous frame

Some adaptation may occur with a new prescription.
However, persistent or significant discomfort should be reviewed rather than automatically assumed to be normal adaptation.
​
Why Can the Frame Affect Astigmatism Correction?
The spectacle frame determines how the lenses are positioned in front of your eyes.
Changes in:

• Frame alignment

• Lens position

• Frame tilt

• Frame wrap

• Vertex distance

• Optical centration

can influence how a prescription is experienced.
This becomes particularly relevant with stronger or more complex prescriptions.
A correctly manufactured lens still needs to be appropriately positioned in front of the eye.
For this reason, frame fitting is part of the optical solution.
​
Can Glasses Correct Astigmatism?
Yes.
Astigmatism is commonly corrected using spectacle lenses containing the appropriate cylindrical correction.
The objective is to compensate for the different focusing powers of the eye so that light can be focused more appropriately on the retina.
The appropriate spectacle correction depends on the individual's complete prescription, including:

• Sphere

• Cylinder​

• Differences between the two eyes

• Visual requirements

• Previous spectacle prescription

• Adaptation history

For straightforward astigmatism, conventional spectacle lenses can provide clear and comfortable vision.
More complex prescriptions may require additional consideration of lens design, optical positioning and frame selection.
​
Astigmatism and Night Vision
Some people with uncorrected or under-corrected astigmatism notice greater difficulty at night.
Lights may appear:

• Blurred

• Stretched

• Shadowed

• Surrounded by glare

• Less sharply defined

Night-time visual difficulties can have many possible causes, so they should not automatically be attributed to astigmatism.
If night vision changes significantly or unexpectedly, an appropriate professional eye examination is recommended.
​
Astigmatism in Children
Children can also have astigmatism.
A child may not realise that their vision is blurred because they may assume that everyone sees the same way.
Possible signs can include:

• Squinting

• Difficulty seeing classroom boards

• Moving closer to objects

• Difficulty with detailed visual tasks

• Complaints of blurred vision

• Eye strain or headaches during visual activities

Significant uncorrected refractive error during childhood can affect visual development.
Children with suspected vision problems should therefore receive appropriate professional eye examinations.
​
Astigmatism and Presbyopia
Astigmatism and presbyopia are different conditions.
Astigmatism is a refractive condition involving different focusing powers across different meridians.
Presbyopia is the age-related reduction in the eye's ability to focus comfortably at near distances.
A person can have both conditions at the same time.
In this situation, the spectacle correction may need to address:
sphere + cylinder + near addition
Depending on the individual's requirements, this may involve reading glasses, occupational lenses, progressive lenses or other spectacle designs.
​
Astigmatism and Progressive Lenses
Astigmatism can also be incorporated into a progressive-lens prescription.
However, progressive lenses introduce additional considerations because the lens provides different powers for distance, intermediate and near vision.
For someone with significant astigmatism, accurate:

• Prescription

• Cylinder

• Pupillary measurements

• Fitting height

• Frame adjustment

• Lens positioning

can all contribute to the final visual experience.
If progressive lenses remain uncomfortable despite an apparently correct prescription, the complete spectacle system should be considered rather than looking at the prescription alone.
​
How Eye Zen Optical Approaches Astigmatism Prescriptions
At Eye Zen Optical, our approach is not simply to obtain a sphere, cylinder measurement.
We consider how the prescription will function in the finished pair of spectacles.
Depending on your situation, we may consider:
​
Your Symptoms
Are you experiencing blur, distortion, headaches, night-driving difficulty or visual fatigue?
Understanding what you are experiencing helps provide context for the prescription.
​
Your Current and Previous Prescriptions
Comparing prescriptions can be particularly useful when cylinder power has changed.
A change that appears small numerically can sometimes feel significant to an individual wearer.
​
Your Adaptation History
Have you previously struggled with new spectacles?
Did your old pair feel more comfortable than your new pair?
Understanding previous adaptation can be important when dealing with more complex prescriptions.
​
Lens Design
The appropriate lens design depends on your complete prescription and visual requirements.
​
Optical Centration
Accurate positioning of the lenses relative to your eyes is an important part of spectacle dispensing.
​
Frame Selection and Adjustment
The size, shape and position of the frame influence where the lenses sit in relation to your eyes.
For more complex prescriptions, frame selection should therefore be considered as part of the optical solution.
​
​

Allen — Founder & Optician at Eye Zen Optical

Allen has worked in opticianry since 2005 and founded Eye Zen Optical in Singapore in 2022. His work focuses on personalised spectacle solutions, including complex spectacle requirements, prism-related prescriptions and progressive-lens difficulties.

Learn more about Allen →

 

Frequently Asked Questions
Is astigmatism an eye disease?
No.
Astigmatism is usually a refractive condition affecting how light is focused by the eye.
​
Is astigmatism the same as short-sightedness?
No.
Astigmatism and myopia are different refractive conditions, although they commonly occur together.
​
Can I have hyperopia and astigmatism together?
Yes.
Astigmatism can occur together with either myopia or hyperopia.
​
Is a higher cylinder prescription harder to make?
Higher cylinder powers generally make accurate positioning and spectacle fitting increasingly important.
​
Why does my new astigmatism prescription make the floor look strange?
Changes in cylinder power can alter how shapes, angles and spatial relationships are perceived through the new lenses.
Some people adapt quickly, while others require more time.
Persistent or significant discomfort should be reviewed.
​
Can astigmatism cause headaches?
Astigmatism may contribute to eye strain or headaches in some individuals.
However, headaches have many possible causes and should not automatically be attributed to the eyes.
​
Can astigmatism change?
Yes.
Astigmatism can change over time.
Significant or unexpected changes should be appropriately assessed.
​
Can glasses correct astigmatism?
Yes.
Spectacle lenses can incorporate cylindrical power to compensate for astigmatic refractive error.
​
Personalised Astigmatism Spectacle Solutions in Singapore
If you experience blurred or distorted vision, difficulty adapting to new glasses, eye strain, night-driving discomfort or problems with a complex astigmatism prescription, the solution may involve more than simply checking whether the numbers on the prescription are correct.
​
At Eye Zen Optical, we consider:
your sphere + cylinder + both eyes + lens design + optical positioning + frame + visual requirements
as part of the complete spectacle solution.
​
For straightforward astigmatism, this means providing accurate and comfortable spectacle correction.
For more complex prescriptions, additional attention to lens design, measurements, frame selection and positioning may help achieve a better visual outcome.
​
​
​
 

Eye Zen Optical

71 Kallang Bahru #01-529D

Singapore 330071

WhatsApp / Call: +65 8048 8379

Book a consultation with Eye Zen Optical to discuss your visual concerns.