Myopia and astigmatism: what you should know

19 February 2026

Myopia and astigmatism are two of the most common vision problems. Many people have them without fully understanding what they mean or how they affect daily life.

Knowing the differences and treatment options is key to protecting your eye health.

What is myopia?

Myopia (nearsightedness) occurs when you can see clearly up close, but distant objects appear blurry.

It happens because the eye focuses images in front of the retina instead of directly on it.

Most common symptoms:

• Difficulty seeing road signs or the board in class

• Squinting to focus

• Frequent headaches

• Eye strain

It is very common in children and teenagers and may progress as they grow.

What is astigmatism?

Astigmatism occurs when the cornea is not perfectly round but more oval-shaped. This causes light to focus on multiple points instead of just one.

The result: blurred or distorted vision both up close and at a distance.

Most common symptoms:

• Constant blurry vision

• Difficulty seeing fine details

• Eye discomfort

• Eye strain when reading or using screens

Many people have both myopia and astigmatism at the same time.

Can they be corrected?

Yes. Both conditions can be corrected with:

• Prescription glasses

• Contact lenses

• Laser refractive surgery, such as SMILE PRO and FemtoLASIK

Today, technological advances allow for more precise and personalized procedures to reduce or even eliminate dependence on glasses.

Schedule your evaluation appointment here.