'astigmatism-corrective' is a modern compound formed from 'astigmatism' and 'corrective'. 'Astigmatism' originates from Greek elements 'a-' (meaning 'without') and 'stigmā' (meaning 'point, mark'), and 'corrective' originates ultimately from Latin 'corrigere' (to make straight, set right) via Old French/Latin-derived forms.

'astigmatism' entered English in the 19th century from New Latin 'astigmatismus', from Greek 'a-' + 'stigmā'. 'Corrective' comes from Middle English/Old French adaptations of Latin 'corrigere'. The compound 'astigmatism-corrective' is a recent English formation created by joining the medical noun with the adjective-forming element.

Individually, the roots originally referred to 'without a point' (astigmatism) and 'to make straight or set right' (corrective); combined in modern usage they mean 'serving to correct astigmatism.'