Is astigmatism congenital?
Nov 17, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Wang Shuai
Introduction
In general, astigmatism is not entirely congenital; it can result from both hereditary factors and acquired conditions. Congenital astigmatism is associated with eye development, while acquired astigmatism is often caused by poor visual habits or ocular diseases. It is important to develop good eye-use habits in daily life, maintain proper reading and writing posture, and avoid prolonged near-vision tasks.
In general, astigmatism is not entirely congenital. It can arise from both先天 factors and acquired causes. Congenital astigmatism is related to eye development, while acquired astigmatism is often caused by poor visual habits or eye diseases. A detailed analysis is as follows:
Congenital astigmatism is the most common type, primarily resulting from abnormal eye development during the fetal stage, leading to irregular curvature of the cornea or lens, which disrupts the proper refraction of light. This type is usually detected in childhood and tends to have a relatively stable degree. It can be corrected with eyeglasses or orthokeratology lenses to achieve clear vision.
Acquired astigmatism has various triggers. Prolonged use of mobile phones while looking down, poor reading or writing posture, and uneven pressure on the eyeball may lead to astigmatism. Eye trauma, ocular surgeries, or conditions such as keratitis and keratoconus can also alter the shape of the eye and result in astigmatism. The severity of this type may fluctuate depending on the underlying cause, so addressing the root cause is essential before correction.
In daily life, it's important to develop good eye-use habits, maintain proper reading and writing postures, and avoid prolonged near-work. Regular eye examinations—especially for children and adolescents—are recommended to detect astigmatism early and allow timely intervention.
