Astigmatism is:

Astigmatism It is that condition of refraction wherein a point focus of light cannot be formed' upon the retina. It includes those anomalies in the optical system wherein an appreciable error is caused by the unequal refraction of light in different meridians. Hence it may be an error either of curvature, of centering or of refractive index. There fore this question is controversial as both the options are given. But since the commonest form of astigmatism is due to curvature defect, this will be the answer.