Have you ever noticed beams of light radiating from everyday objects, making them appear almost magical? If so, you might belong to a unique group of people with a common eye condition known as astigmatism. This condition doesn’t just alter your vision—it can transform the way you see the world, turning ordinary lights into something extraordinary.

Astigmatism affects roughly one-third of Americans, leading to visual discomforts such as squinting, headaches, difficulty seeing at night, and blurry vision. It’s this blurry vision that often causes the captivating beams of light that some people see. A viral image shared on Reddit perfectly captures this phenomenon, depicting light beams stretching from various sources in a room, almost like a scene from a science fiction movie.

But what exactly is astigmatism, and why does it cause these beams of light to appear?

Astigmatism occurs when the cornea or lens inside the eye has an irregular shape. In a normal eye, the cornea and lens are round, allowing light to enter the eye evenly and focus properly on the retina. However, in an eye with astigmatism, the cornea or lens is shaped more like an elongated oval or a football. This irregular shape bends light unevenly as it enters the eye, creating a refractive error that results in blurry vision and those distinctive beams of light that many people with astigmatism experience.

For those with astigmatism, everyday lights—like streetlights, car headlights, or even the glow of a computer screen—can appear to stretch into radiant beams, especially in low light or at night. While this visual effect can be fascinating, it can also be disorienting. One Reddit user shared their experience, saying, “I always thought this was normal… like when it rains at night, I would look at the street lights and they would look like big red and green stars stretching further because of the raindrops on the windshield. Then I found out I have astigmatism; crazy to think not everyone sees the glare.”

Astigmatism can present in various ways, with common symptoms including blurry vision, squinting, frequent headaches, eye strain, and difficulty seeing at night. For those with mild astigmatism, these symptoms may go unnoticed, making regular eye exams essential for maintaining clear vision. This is especially important for children, who may not realize their vision isn’t normal.

The only way to diagnose astigmatism definitively is through a comprehensive eye examination by a qualified optometrist or ophthalmologist. During the exam, the eye doctor may use several tests to assess your vision and the shape of your cornea, including reading from an eye chart, vision assessment with a phoropter, measuring corneal curvature with a keratometer, and assessing the eye’s refractive error with an autorefractor.

If you’re diagnosed with astigmatism, there’s no need to worry—it’s a manageable condition with several treatment options. Depending on the severity of your astigmatism and your personal preferences, your eye doctor may recommend eyeglasses, contact lenses specifically made for astigmatism, or even surgical options like LASIK.

However, if your astigmatism is mild and doesn’t significantly impact your quality of life, you might not need any treatment at all.

While astigmatism is a common and treatable condition, it offers a unique way of seeing the world. The beams of light you see—whether from a streetlamp on a rainy night or the glow of your phone screen—are directly related to how your eyes bend light. While it’s important to manage any symptoms that affect your vision, there’s something undeniably fascinating about experiencing the world in this way.

So, if you’ve ever marveled at the enchanting beams of light emanating from ordinary sources, you might be witnessing the world through the lens of astigmatism. While it’s essential to keep up with regular eye exams to ensure your vision stays clear, there’s no harm in appreciating the unique beauty that astigmatism can bring to your visual experience. Seeing the world differently can be a gift—one that adds a touch of magic to the everyday.

Astigmatism may be common, but it offers a truly unique visual experience. By understanding the science behind this condition and embracing the beauty it can bring, we can all learn to appreciate the diverse ways in which we see the world around us.