How do lenses help correct astigmatism?

Lenses correct astigmatism by compensating for the uneven curvature of the eye. Astigmatism is caused when the cornea or lens of the eye has an irregular shape, leading to different focal points for different meridians of light entering the eye. This results in blurred or distorted vision.

Specialized lenses, often referred to as toric lenses, are designed to have different optical powers in different orientations. These lenses help focus light more evenly onto the retina, counterbalancing the effects of the uneven curvature. By altering how light is refracted as it passes through the lens, they effectively align the focal points, allowing for clearer vision across various distances and orientations.

The other options, while related to optics, do not address the specific mechanism that deals with astigmatism. Reflecting light differently, changing color, or magnifying images does not resolve the fundamental issue of unequal curvature that leads to astigmatism-related vision problems.