The relationship of astigmatism to reading and the possible detrimental effects it might have on reading were investigated. The greatest incidence of astigmatism was for the with-the-rule type ranging from .50 to 1.00 diopter. This type of astigmatism was induced in 35 seniors from the Los Angeles College of Optometry by placing cylindrical lenses in front of each subject's eyes. The participants were given the Otis Mental Ability Gamma Tests. The results were as follows: (1) 62.9 percent had blurred or distorted vision, (2) 68.6 percent had adverse psychological effects, the most frequent of which was a desire to retreat from the test situation, (3) 68.6 percent had headaches, (4) clinical observations that astigmatism was the major cause of ocular asthenopia were confirmed, (5) similar letters and words were often confused as a result of blurring and distortion, and (6) minor astigmatic disturbances could induce symptoms which markedly reduced reading ability. References are given. (WSL)