Which condition is characterized by blurred vision due to an irregularly shaped cornea?

Astigmatism is characterized by blurred or distorted vision due to an irregularly shaped cornea. In a healthy eye, the cornea is perfectly curved, allowing light to focus evenly on the retina. However, in astigmatism, the cornea is shaped more like a football than a basketball, meaning that light rays are refracted at different angles. This results in a lack of clear vision at various distances, manifesting as blurred vision.

Understanding astigmatism is crucial for recognizing how it affects visual acuity and why corrective lenses or other treatments may be necessary to achieve clearer vision. The condition is often diagnosed during routine eye examinations and can be treated effectively, making awareness and understanding of it particularly important in neuro-sensory studies.