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Oblique astigmatism results in worse distance visual acuity, reading performance
Eyes with oblique astigmatism have a lower distance visual acuity and reading performance than eyes with against-the-rule astigmatism and with-the-rule astigmatism, according to a study.
The prospective study enrolled 38 eyes of 38 subjects with no ophthalmic disease other than refractive errors. All subjects were almost emmetropic or had low myopia.
The study assessed distance visual acuity and reading performance. Astigmatism of 1 D, 2 D or 3 D was imposed with trial lenses.
Subjects with less astigmatism had significantly higher distance visual acuity (P < .001) and reading performance (P < .001).
More specifically, subjects with against-the-rule astigmatism and with-the-rule astigmatism had significantly higher visual acuity and reading performance than those with oblique astigmatism (P < .05).
Reading speed also significantly decreased with increased astigmatism (P < .001).
“Especially in eyes with uncorrected [oblique] astigmatism, it may be necessary to correct pre-existing astigmatism to obtain excellent visual outcomes,” the study authors said.