Can People With Astigmatism Also Wear Lenses?

If you have astigmatism and you think you can’t wear contacts, you’re mistaken. Contact lenses are actually a method of correcting the condition. The cornea of a normally sighted person is spherical, but when you have astigmatism, it’s more oval-shaped, sort of like a football. This ostensibly minor feature actually changes how light enters the eye, and as a result, vision is blurred.
 

Contact lenses that correct this condition, known as toric contact lenses, are manufactured from the same material as regular spherical contact lenses. The most stark difference between these and common lenses is the design. As opposed to typical lenses, which have one power throughout the lens, toric lenses have two different powers; one for astigmatism, and one to fix myopia or hyperopia. Due to their particular design, these lenses need to stay in place on your eye in order to correct your vision, unlike normal contact lenses, where lens movement due to actions like blinking have no effect on your vision. Contact lenses for astigmatism are actually weighted on the bottom, and this prevents them from moving around on your eye.
 

There are multiple scheduling options for toric contact lens users, including soft disposable contact lenses, daily disposable lenses, and frequent replacement lenses. Toric lenses are also available as color contact lenses, and as multifocal lenses. Rigid gas permeable lenses (RGP, or hard contact lenses) are made from a harder material that remains in shape even when you blink, and might give even better vision than other lenses. But the disadvantage is that they are usually not as comfortable. Rest assured, there’s a contact lens which perfectly suits your needs, and we’ll find it for you.
 

When it’s time for your toric lens fitting, it’s going to take some time, due to the complexity of the product. Still, with constant growth in eyewear technology, those with astigmatism can take advantage of the benefits of contact lenses, with many options to choose from.