One in Four Have 'Rugby Ball' Eyes

Instead of having eyes that are round like a football, an astonishing one-in-four of the people who need vision correction have eyes that are shaped more like a rugby ball.

This surprisingly common condition is called astigmatism. Because the cornea (the front of the eye) is not perfectly spherical light can be focused unevenly, leading to blurred, stretched or distorted vision. Some experts believe that almost everyone has a degree of astigmatism, often from birth, which may remain the same throughout life. In most cases a small degree of astigmatism presents no problems, but when it causes the image we see to be focused unevenly it can result in eyestrain and headaches.

One of the most common myths about astigmatism is that it can't be corrected using contact lenses. In fact, astigmatism is easily detected during a routine eye examination and the vision of people affected by it can be easily rectified with special 'toric' contact lenses or spectacles.

The advice from the Eyecare Trust is to have an eye examination at least every two years and more often as you get older. If you need vision correction for astigmatism, take your lifestyle into consideration and consider giving yourself the choice of spectacles or contact lenses for different situations.

Ask your optometrist for free copies of Eyecare Trust leaflets on the eye examination and contact lenses. Astigmatism is among the many subjects covered be a series of ET fact sheets which you can obtain from your optometrist or download from the ET website at www.eyecare-information-service.org.uk. Further information on contact lenses and where to have them fitted is available on the Johnson & Johnson Acuvue freephone help line, 0800 122 856.

Note for Editors
The Eyecare Trust is an independent, non-profit-making body that exists to raise awareness of the need for regular professional eyecare, as well as providing a source of accurate, unbiased information about all sight-related issues and corrective eyewear.