What visual condition results from unequal curvatures in the cornea?

Astigmatism is the visual condition that results from unequal curvatures in the cornea. This irregular curvature causes light rays to focus on multiple points in the eye rather than a single point, leading to blurred or distorted vision. In normal vision, light rays should converge at a single point on the retina. However, when the cornea is not uniformly curved, it disrupts this process.

Ametropia refers to any refractive error in the eye, which could include myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, but it does not specifically identify unequal curvatures of the cornea. Ectropion is a condition where the eyelid turns outward, and it does not relate to corneal curvature. Cycloplegia is the paralysis of the ciliary muscle of the eye, which impacts the ability to focus but is unrelated to the shape of the cornea.

Understanding astigmatism helps clarify how variations in the curvature of the cornea impact visual acuity, making it a key concept in the field of ophthalmology and optometry.