What is the name of the condition where the eye does not refract light equally in all directions?

The condition where the eye does not refract light equally in all directions is known as astigmatism. This occurs when the cornea or lens has an irregular shape, resulting in light being focused on multiple points in the eye rather than a single point on the retina. As a result, individuals with astigmatism often experience blurred or distorted vision at various distances because their eyes cannot form a clear image. This condition is distinct from other refractive errors such as myopia, where distant objects appear blurry, hyperopia, where nearby objects can be unclear, and presbyopia, which primarily affects the ability to focus on close objects as one ages. In astigmatism, the uneven curvature causes variability in light bending, leading to the characteristic visual disturbances associated with the condition.