Why do I see weird light flickers when I look at a computer screen very close?

[hei213]

When I remove my glasses and look at a computer screen very close (to a point where the pixels are visible) I see parts of the screen to appear brighter in a wave like pattern that flicker when I look around at the screen. It is very similar to the pattern that is apparent when someone takes a photo of a computer monitor.
With glasses on I still see it up close but it isn't that terrible.
Note that I have severe astigmatism (-2.5Dcyl and -3.5Dcyl), unsure if that plays a part.
I wonder if everyone sees this (so it is more attributed to the computer screen), or is it just me? What could be the cause of this?

[JohnHaganMD]

That is only a moderate amount of astigmatims. Don't worry about what it looks like without glasses. Astigmatism does that. Only what it looks like with glasses. If it only bother you when abnormally close to the computer than forget about it and just move back to the normal distance.

[hei213]

Sometimes I see that on bright / reflective surfaces with glasses at normal distances too but to a less extent. If it's really just the astigmatism (due to the irregular shape of the cornea?) that plays the part then I think this will get resolved once I have a refractive surgery. Until then I'll manage.

[JohnHaganMD]

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