Myopic Astigmatism: What It Is and How It Differs from Other Types

In an eye doctor's report you may see the phrases "myopic astigmatism," "compound," or "mixed"—and it's not immediately clear what is the diagnosis and what is a clarification. Astigmatism is a feature of the eye's shape: light does not focus at a single point but at several at once, so the image is blurred. The words "myopic," "hyperopic," and "mixed" add the second part of the picture—which refractive error it is combined with.

What astigmatism is and why it is divided into types

An analogy eye doctors like: a normal eye is closer in shape to a soccer ball, while an eye with astigmatism is closer to a rugby ball. Rays of light do not converge at one point but at several, and the image comes out blurry.

Astigmatism belongs to refractive errors—like nearsightedness and farsightedness. The cause of its appearance is unknown; most often it is present from birth and often goes together with nearsightedness or farsightedness. Sometimes it occurs after eye surgery, for example after cataract removal.

The types are needed to describe exactly how the eye is "out of focus." Blurred vision, headaches, and eye strain after prolonged concentration—for example, at a computer—usually help to notice the problem.

Myopic astigmatism

"Myopia" means nearsightedness. The entry "myopic astigmatism" means that astigmatism goes together with nearsightedness: distance vision is poor, and on top of that the image is distorted.

In some reports the words "simple" or "compound" appear nearby—these are clarifications from the form, and it is best to ask the doctor to explain their meaning.

Hyperopic and mixed astigmatism

When astigmatism goes together with farsightedness, the word "hyperopic" appears in the entry—colloquially it is called farsighted astigmatism. The meaning is the same: distortion plus a feature of refraction.

Mixed astigmatism is another designation from the report. The doctor at the appointment will explain what exactly it means in your case.

Where astigmatism comes from

With astigmatism, the cornea is curved unusually, and this curvature takes the image out of focus.

How the doctor determines the type of astigmatism and when an examination is needed

Astigmatism is clearly visible during a routine vision test with lens selection; special tests are not required in most cases. If a person cannot answer the test questions, for example a child, refraction is measured by reflected light—this is retinoscopy.

• blurred vision near or far, details slip away;
• headaches;
• eye strain after prolonged concentration, for example at a computer;
• in a child—difficulty with reading or concentration.

You should book a vision test if you or your child have such symptoms, and also if the eyes have not been checked for two years. A separate reason is worsening vision or no improvement with glasses and lenses: an increase in astigmatism can be associated with keratoconus. In children, uncorrected astigmatism in only one eye can lead to amblyopia, "lazy eye."

Astigmatism by itself is not a reason to call an ambulance. 103 or 112—if the condition is life-threatening: severe injury, signs of stroke or heart attack.

This text is for reference: it helps to make sense of the wording in a report, but it does not replace a doctor's consultation, where your own eyes will be examined.

This content is for reference and does not replace a doctor's consultation. Medical disclaimer