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Published on: 3/5/2025

Does Astigmatism Cause Light Sensitivity?

Astigmatism typically makes vision blurry, but it can sometimes cause light sensitivity.

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Explanation

Astigmatism happens when the eye’s cornea or lens isn’t perfectly round. Because of this, light does not focus correctly on the back of your eye, which makes things look fuzzy or warped. Even though astigmatism does not directly cause light sensitivity (the condition where your eyes hurt or feel too bright), many people with astigmatism have trouble with glare. Glare is when bright lights seem too harsh or overwhelming. So, while astigmatism itself causes blurred vision, it can also lead to discomfort in bright conditions because the glare makes it harder for your eyes to focus clearly. An eye doctor can help check if you have astigmatism and can tell you about options like glasses or contact lenses to improve your vision and reduce glare.

(References)

  • Gurnani B, Kaur K. Astigmatism. [Updated 2023 Jun 26]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing

  • Zhang J, Wu Y, Sharma B, Gupta R, Jawla S, Bullimore MA. Epidemiology and Burden of Astigmatism: A Systematic Literature Review. Optom Vis Sci. 2023 Mar 1;100(3):218-231. doi: 10.1097/OPX.0000000000001998. Epub 2023 Feb 7. PMID: 36749017; PMCID: PMC10045990.

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