Astigmatism Test at Home: Do You Have Astigmatism?
You can spot astigmatism with a simple astigmatism test using radiating lines. Here is how to do the test, what the result means and how doctors treat astigmatism.
To check for astigmatism at home, close one eye and look at a figure made of radiating lines. If all lines look equally dark, there is no problem. However, if lines in some directions look darker or sharper, you may have astigmatism. This test does not make a diagnosis. A doctor takes the exact measurement during an eye examination. Glasses, contact lenses, laser or toric lenses can correct astigmatism.
How to do the astigmatism test
- Hold your screen or phone about an arm’s length away.
- If you wear glasses, first try with them, then without them.
- Cover one eye with your hand, and cover it lightly without pressing.
- Look at the radiating lines in the figure below and check whether all lines have the same darkness.
- Then repeat the same steps for your other eye.
“Close one eye and look at these lines. If all the lines are not equally thick and black, you may have astigmatism, so see an eye doctor.”
— Prof. Dr. Fırat Helvacıoğlu, from the video
Astigmatism test: look at these lines with one eye
Close one eye and look at the radiating lines, holding the screen about an arm’s length away. If all lines look equally dark and sharp, there is no problem. However, if some lines look darker or sharper than others, you may have astigmatism.
- Normal viewAll lines look equally thick and equally black.
- View with astigmatismLines in one direction look darker, while the others look faint and blurry.
- Why does it happen?In astigmatism, the cornea is not shaped like a basketball but like a rugby ball, with a different curve in two directions.
Do you have astigmatism? Test yourself
Prof. Dr. Fırat Helvacıoğlu explains the home astigmatism test in one minute.
What is astigmatism?
A normal cornea has the same curve in every direction, like a basketball. In astigmatism, however, the cornea looks more like a rugby ball. It is steeper in one direction and flatter in the other. Therefore, light does not focus on a single point. Instead, it focuses on different points in different directions. As a result, lines in some directions look sharp and others look blurry. Less often, the lens of the eye also causes astigmatism.
Astigmatism is very common. According to a meta-analysis that combined studies from around the world, it is a more frequent refractive error than myopia and hyperopia, in both children and adults. Mild astigmatism often causes no complaints.
Symptoms of astigmatism
- Blurry or shadowy vision, both far and near
- Mixing up letters, especially certain letters
- Night lights that look spread out or streaked
- Eye strain, squinting and headaches
- Getting tired quickly when reading for a long time or using screens
Astigmatism test results: when to be careful
Astigmatism is often present from birth, and it stays the same for years. However, if astigmatism increases in adulthood or its axis changes, this may be a sign of keratoconus, in which the cornea thins and becomes cone-shaped. In this case, you need a corneal map (topography). I explained the details in the article “Does your glasses prescription change often?”.
Children cannot notice astigmatism or tell you about it. High astigmatism can cause lazy eye in children, so an eye examination in the preschool years is important.
How is astigmatism corrected?
| Method | Who is it for? |
|---|---|
| Glasses (cylindrical lenses) | All ages; the simplest solution |
| Toric contact lenses | People who do not want glasses and can wear lenses |
| Laser treatment | Adults with a stable prescription and a suitable cornea |
| Toric implantable lens (ICL) | Young people with a high prescription whose cornea is not suitable for laser |
| Toric smart lens | People who will have cataract or smart lens surgery |
You can find all treatment options for astigmatism on the astigmatism treatment page.
Frequently asked questions
Close one eye and look at a figure made of radiating lines. If some lines look darker or sharper than others, you may have astigmatism. However, you need an eye examination for a definite diagnosis.
In adults, astigmatism usually does not go away on its own. In babies, however, astigmatism may decrease as they grow.
Most astigmatism stays stable for years. However, astigmatism that increases in adulthood can be a sign of corneal diseases such as keratoconus, so it needs investigation.
Yes, laser can correct astigmatism if the cornea is suitable. In high astigmatism, toric implantable lenses are also an option.
Uncorrected astigmatism can cause eye strain. It can also cause headaches, especially after reading for a long time or using screens.
Related pages
References
- Hashemi H, Fotouhi A, Yekta A, Pakzad R, Ostadimoghaddam H, Khabazkhoob M. Global and regional estimates of prevalence of refractive errors: systematic review and meta-analysis. J Curr Ophthalmol. 2018;30(1):3-22. doi:10.1016/j.joco.2017.08.009
- Read SA, Collins MJ, Carney LG. A review of astigmatism and its possible genesis. Clin Exp Optom. 2007;90(1):5-19. doi:10.1111/j.1444-0938.2007.00112.x
- Gomes JAP, Tan D, Rapuano CJ, et al. Global consensus on keratoconus and ectatic diseases. Cornea. 2015;34(4):359-369. doi:10.1097/ICO.0000000000000408
This article is for patient information only. It does not replace an examination or medical assessment. Your doctor chooses the treatment that suits you after the eye examination and measurements. Publication date: 25 September 2026.
Contact Prof. Dr. Fırat Helvacıoğlu with your questions
Prof. Dr. Fırat Helvacıoğlu · Veni Vidi Eye Clinic, Bağdat Cad. No: 257, Caddebostan – Kadıköy / Istanbul