What is this mean?

Question

I took my kids to the eye doctor yesterday and they both have astigmatism? I don't wear glasses so I don't know what it exactly means. Is it bad? They don't need glasses though.

Answer 1

Basically the cornea(where the light comes in) is mishapped. Because of it's mishap it make the light coming in focus in two points instead of one. it's one of those not very abnormal conditions when a person has bad eyesight.

It might not be bad enough for the kids to need glasses. Plus when they are young then the eyes are still flexible enough reshape.(maybe?)

The following links had good visuals and last one has a little motion pic that walks you through the expiation.

Answer 2

astigmatism is basically the cornea is mishaped so the eye does not focus correctly.

In optics, astigmatism is when an optical system has different foci for rays that propagate in two perpendicular planes. If an optical system with astigmatism is used to form an image of a cross, the vertical and horizontal lines will be in sharp focus at two different distances. The term comes from the Greek α- (a-) meaning "without" and στίγμα (stigma), "a mark, spot, puncture".[1]

Answer 3

It means there eyes are not perfect spheres, but look more like a football (oblate).