If someone has astigmatism, the front of their eye has a slightly irregular shape, so they cannot see properly.
astigmatism in British English
(əˈstɪɡməˌtɪzəm) or astigmia (əˈstɪɡmɪə)
noun
1.
a defect of a lens resulting in the formation of distorted images; caused by the curvature of the lens being different in different planes
2.
faulty vision resulting from defective curvature of the cornea or lens of the eye
astigmatism in American English
(əˈstɪgməˌtɪzəm)
noun
1.
an irregularity in the curvature of a lens, including the lens of the eye, so that light rays from an object do not meet in a single focal point, resulting in an indistinct or distorted image
2.
distorted view or judgment, as because of bias
Word origin
< Gr a-, without + stigma (gen. stigmatos) a mark, puncture (see stick) + -ism
Examples of 'astigmatism' in a sentence
astigmatism
Perhaps it created a happy astigmatism by which she appeared attractive enough to be desired.