An optical instrument used to detect or visualize astigmatism and measure its characteristics.
From astigmatism plus -scope (Greek 'to view, see'). This specialized eye examination tool emerged in the late 19th century as optometry became more sophisticated.
An astigmatoscope is literally 'an astigmatism viewer'—it lets eye doctors see the exact pattern of how light is being bent wrong in your eye, making diagnosis almost like looking at the actual problem instead of guessing.
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