What is "astigmatism"?

What exactly is this condition
I went to the eye doctor who said I went from completely fine to severe astigmatism in 12 months. It was just a bunch of jibberish he said, and now I'm just worried. Right now, I wear Acuvue Colours contacts. So, the doctor gave me 11 pairs of trial astigmatism lenses, none of them fit properly (itchy, pokey) and then he gave me a 12th pair to try on. These fit perfectly... and then he told me these were the lenses I'd been wearing. The problem is that my vision hasn't worsened within the past year, I've just developed astigmatism. Wearing thick astigmatism lenses is so horribly uncomfortable, I'd rather just stick to the lenses I have. The doctor showed me how I should see with astigmatism lenses, but I don't see a huge difference. So, I want to keep the lenses I have, even though the doctor is opposed to it.
Will this make the astigmatism worse?
Why do people suddenly get astigmatism?
Will it ever go away? =(

differense in refrective powers between meridia of a refractive surface [ cornea ,lens ]

astigmatism is when the cornea isnt shaped correctly. i dont think u suddenly get it, i think ur born with it.

here is a website page you should definitely see.
http://www.medicinenet.com/astigmatism/a...

I will only answer one:
astigmatism
(ophthalmology) impaired eyesight resulting usually from irregular conformation of the cornea

"What is a stigmatism?" is a question that optometrists hear every day, but actually it's spelled "astigmatism." Astigmatism is the most common vision problem, but most people don't know what it is.

It may accompany nearsightedness or farsightedness. Usually it is caused by an irregularly shaped cornea (called corneal astigmatism). But sometimes it is the result of an irregularly shaped lens, which is located behind the cornea; this is called lenticular astigmatism. Either kind of astigmatism can usually be corrected with eyeglasses, contact lenses or refractive surgery.

sorry but no it doesn't go away cuz i have it too....urs doesn't seem to be bad though if you can't see the difference but don't avoid the lenses it just makes your eyes worse

1)Astigmatism is a mild and easily treatable imperfection in the curvature of your eye. The condition can cause blurred vision.
2)Astigmatism is common and affects most people to some degree. Often it's not pronounced enough to require corrective action. But when it is, treatments include corrective lenses and surgery.
3)The condition tends to remain constant, neither improving nor deteriorating much over time.

All of these answers were provided on the MayoClinic Website which is my reference.

no it will not go away(unless you under go risk expensive eye surgery.) and by not doing as your doctor says you will make it worse by making your eyes strain to bring things into clearer focus.
astigmatism is not like near or far sightness as in how far or close up you have to be for you to see them. it is how defined things are that you see meanging things may look not as clear/blurry.
check out this site that explains it and how to deal with it. http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions...

Astigmatism won't go away. It may even worsen. I have a severe astigmatism in my left eye, and have worn a Toric contact lens (made for astigmatism) for over 15 years. You will get used to the thicker lens with time. Mine don't bother me at all anymore. Sometimes I forget I'm wearing contacts. Your eye will adapt to the thickness, and they will feel more comfortable as you get used to them. Make sure you use as much of your contact lens drops as you need, because moist contacts are comfortable contacts. Keep wearing the correct lenses, because it is virtually impossible to correct astigmatism even close to 20/20 without a Toric lens.

Peoples who had dry eyes!
and they use acuvue

it's when you're eyes produce more water than needed. which makes it kind of blury for you to see when you have you're contacts on.