Is astigmatism temporary?

Rarely. Astigmatism is usually a permanent condition usually caused by an irregularity in the cornea of the eye. It can be found in myopic (nearsighted) forms, farsighted forms and even in mixed near- and far-sighted form. It is correctable surgically, though, in many cases.

Sometimes hard contact lenses can actually create astigmatism as an unwanted side-effect which will go away once the contacts are discontinued.

_Written by J. Trevor Woodhams, M.D. - Chief of Surgery, Woodhams Eye Clinic