Dear Steven,
Subject: My opinion on *MY* vision, and "Astigmatism".
I think we FEAR words, when we truly do NOT understand them. Words like "hyperopia, myopia, nearsightedness, anisotropia, pesudo-myopia, exophoria, esophoria". The list is endless. I know you will have your own ideas on this subject.
For me, as an engineer, I concentrate on ONE THING, getting my Snellen to 20/40 - or better. I know that the above words, (including "Cyl." have profound distortions in them.) To avoid un-necessary conflict, I would concentrate on ONLY getting your 20/40 line clear. EVERYTHING ELSE IS AN UN-NECESSARY DISTRACTION. "Astigmatism" will never prevent you from getting to 20/20, and a positive refractive STATE. Once you get to 20/20, (pass all DMV and PILOT TESTS), you can "worry" about ANY residual "astigmatism" you might actually have.
I concentrate on OBJECTIVE REQUIREMENTS - that I MUST PASS. All normal eyes have SOME astigmatism. The FAA requires LESS THAN 1 diopters of astigmatism (As I recall.) It is NEVER a problem for professional pilots - so why are you concerned about it.
I am not critical of you - I just do not what you distracted about a subject that is not revalent to reaching an OBJECTIVE, PRACTICAL GOAL IN YOUR LIFE.
Solutions are TOTALLY PERSONAL. Therefore I just prevent OBJECTIVE FACTS, and HOPE the person understands them, and can achieve a reasonable personal goal.
Otis