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Astigmatic Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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astigmatic

[รฆหˆstษชษกmษ™หŒtษชk ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

medical condition

Astigmatic refers to a vision condition where the cornea or lens is irregularly shaped, resulting in blurred or distorted vision. This optical defect occurs due to differences in the curvature of the eye's surface. People with astigmatism may struggle to see clearly at various distances and may experience visual discomfort. It's a common condition that can be diagnosed during an eye exam and can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or surgery.

Synonyms

blurred vision, irregular vision, optical distortion.

Examples of usage

  • He was diagnosed as astigmatic after his eye exam.
  • Astigmatic corrections in lenses help improve sight.
  • She noticed her astigmatic vision was impacting her reading.
  • Many people don't realize they are astigmatic.

Translations

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Interesting Facts

Science

  • Astigmatism occurs when the cornea (the front part of the eye) is unevenly curved, causing light to focus on multiple points instead of a single point on the retina.
  • The condition can vary, with some people experiencing mild difficulty while others see shapes and lines as distorted or blurry.
  • It is commonly found alongside nearsightedness or farsightedness, leading to a combination of visual impairments.

Psychology

  • People with this condition may experience headaches and eye strain, especially after prolonged periods of reading or using screens.
  • Studies show that visual clarity impacts overall mood and cognitive performance, emphasizing the psychological effects of vision problems.

Pop Culture

  • Characters in films often represent astigmatism by portraying exaggerated difficulty seeing, which adds a comedic or dramatic twist to the storyline.
  • An example includes the portrayal of a character struggling with glasses or a blurred vision theme to symbolize confusion or a lack of clarity in life.

Health and Treatments

  • Glasses or contact lenses are commonly prescribed to correct astigmatism, helping to refocus the light entering the eye.
  • Refractive surgery, like LASIK, can reshape the cornea and permanently reduce or eliminate the condition for many patients.

Origin of 'astigmatic'

Main points about word origin

  • The term originates from the Greek words 'a-' meaning 'not' and 'stigmatos' meaning 'point,' illustrating how it refers to not seeing points clearly.
  • It was first used in medical literature in the 19th century to describe specific vision impairments.

The term 'astigmatic' originates from the Greek word 'a-' meaning 'without' and 'stigma' meaning 'point' or 'mark'. The word initially referred to the absence of a point focus of light due to the irregular shape of the cornea or lens. First introduced in the early 19th century, it has since been used in the field of optometry to describe conditions affecting the clarity of vision. The understanding of astigmatism has evolved alongside advances in optics and eye care, and it has become a standard consideration in eye examinations and corrective procedures.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,322, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.