Certified Ophthalmic Assistant Practice Exam

What property does astigmatism affect in vision?

1. Color perception

2. Visual clarity

3. Brightness

4. Depth perception

The correct answer is: Visual clarity

Astigmatism primarily affects visual clarity due to the irregular shape of the cornea or lens in the eye. This irregularity leads to distorted or blurred vision at all distances, as light rays entering the eye do not converge at a single focal point. Instead, they spread out over a larger area, resulting in a lack of sharpness in the images perceived. The other aspects of vision, such as color perception, brightness, and depth perception, may not be directly impacted by astigmatism. While individuals with astigmatism can experience challenges in these areas, the core issue lies in the clarity of the vision itself. Therefore, visual clarity is the fundamental property affected by astigmatism.