Astigmatism is best described as which statement?

• A. An irregular eye focusing due to corneal curvature leading to blurred vision at all distances.
• B. A temporary refractive error caused by glare.
• C. A defect in color vision.
• D. A movement disorder of the eye.

Answer: (C)

Astigmatism happens when the eye’s surface isn’t perfectly curved. The cornea (or sometimes the lens) has different curvature in different directions, so light rays don’t focus to a single point on the retina. Instead, they focus at multiple points, causing blurred or distorted vision at all distances. This confusion in focus is what people notice as unclear vision, often requiring glasses or contact lenses that correct the uneven focusing (usually with cylindrical power to balance the meridians). The other descriptions point to unrelated issues—temporary glare-related changes, a color vision defect, or an involuntary eye movement disorder—so they don’t fit the basic mechanism of astigmatism.