A measuring method for determining an astigmatism of an eye with a confocal refractometer providing a measurement beam path, in which an optical arrangement having an adaptive optical component with a variable cylinder power and a variable cylindrical axis position is arranged to compensate for an astigmatism of the eye in the wavefront of the measurement beam path. In a first measurement, the cylinder power of the adaptive optical component for a first fixed cylindrical axis position of the adaptive optical component is varied until the measured intensity becomes maximal. In a second measurement, the cylinder power of the adaptive optical component for a second fixed axis position—；different than the first—；of the adaptive optical component is varied until the measured intensity is maximal. The power and axis position of the astigmatism of the eye are determined from first and second measurement values.
