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Wearing Contacts With Astigmatism: What You Should Know Being told you have an astigmatism in one or both of your eyes is nothing to fear. After all, most people have some degree of astigmatism, and many are actually born with the condition. An astigmatism usually means the cornea of your eye has an irregular shape that causes your vision to be blurry at any distance. A minor astigmatism may not cause any vision problems at all, but a significant astigmatism needs to be corrected. Having an astigmatism may complicate your prescription just a bit, but it won’t prevent you from getting the type of corrective lens that fits your lifestyle. At Smart Eye Care in Brooklyn, New York City, we’ve helped countless patients with a moderate amount of astigmatism find the right corrective lenses — including custom-fit contact lenses specifically designed to correct astigmatism. What is an astigmatism?Your cornea is a clear, round dome that covers the iris and pupil of your eye. A normal, healthy cornea is smooth and curves equally in all directions, allowing light to focus properly onto the retina at the back of your eye. This is what allows you to see clearly. When your cornea isn’t evenly curved, its irregular shape causes light to refract incorrectly, leading to blurry vision. A misshapen cornea is called a corneal astigmatism. An astigmatism can also occur in the lens of your eye, which sits just behind your cornea. If you’re diagnosed with a lenticular astigmatism, it means you have a misshapen lens. No matter what type of astigmatism you have — corneal or lenticular — objects both near and far may appear blurry and distorted. A moderate or severe astigmatism may also cause eye strain, squinting, chronic headaches, and poor night vision. Because astigmatism is often inherited, most people who have the problem were born with it. It can also occur following an eye injury, eye disease, or surgery. How is an astigmatism corrected?Most forms of astigmatism are easily treatable. Many people opt for eyeglasses, which are made with a special cylindrical lens prescription that offsets the astigmatism. Most people who choose glasses to correct an astigmatism only need a single-vision lens that provides clear vision at all distances. People who are past the
age of 40 are more likely to require a bifocal or progressive vision lens. Contact lenses are another excellent option for many people with a moderate amount of astigmatism. In fact, some people with an astigmatism do better with contact lenses than with eyeglasses, because the contacts may provide clear vision and an unobstructed, wider range of view than glasses. Standard soft contact lenses aren’t effective for correcting an astigmatism, but rigid gas-permeable contact
lenses can be a viable option for people with a mild astigmatism. Rigid gas-permeable contact lenses maintain their regular shape when they’re over your cornea, allowing them to make up for the cornea’s irregular shape and make your vision sharper. What are the benefits of toric contact lenses?Toric contact lenses are often the best choice for contact lens wearers with an astigmatism, because they’re specifically designed to address the problem. The special shape of a toric lens creates different refractive, or focusing, powers that can help correct either a corneal or a lenticular astigmatism. Toric contacts have a thicker zone that keeps them from rotating when they’re in your eyes. It also helps you orient the lenses the same way every time, so you can count on consistent visual acuity. Because toric contact lenses must be placed on your eye in a specific way, achieving an exact fit is extremely important. Toric lenses have a middle axis,
much like the equator that circles the middle of the earth, to keep your line of vision clear. If your lenses don’t fit well, they’ll do little to improve your vision. If you need contact lenses to help correct an astigmatism, we can help. Smart Eye Care offers toric fittings and can help you choose the right type of toric lens for your lifestyle. Toric lenses are available as soft or hard lenses, and come in every wear schedule, ranging from dailies to disposables and beyond. To learn more, call our Brooklyn office today, or make an appointment using our convenient online booking tool.
Astigmatism is a common condition that affects how your cornea directs light to your retina. It’s a refractive error that occurs due to an abnormal or uneven curvature of your cornea. The irregular curve limits your eye’s ability to properly focus light on the retina. This causes blurry or distorted vision, making it difficult to identify shapes and details at any distance. It can also cause eye strain, fatigue, and headaches. Often, astigmatism is present at birth, but it can develop at any age. It may be due to genetics or an eye injury, disease, or surgery. Minor cases may not require treatment, but moderate to severe cases require correction with contact lenses, glasses, or surgery. Read on to learn more about the types of contact lenses for astigmatism, the best products, and what to expect from your eye exam. Contacts are an affordable and convenient option if you have moderate astigmatism. Contacts may improve vision clarity, reduce distortions, and offer a wide visual field. They don’t obstruct your vision or interfere with physical activities in the way that eyeglass frames may. You’ll need toric contact lenses that are specifically designed to correct astigmatism. Toric contacts may be thicker, larger, and more stable than non-toric contacts. They have two powers since they also correct nearsightedness or farsightedness. Instead of a standard spherical surface, toric lenses have a shape similar to the side of a beach ball to create different focusing powers on the vertical and horizontal planes. They must fit your eye properly to retain their specific orientation. To improve visual clarity and prevent rotation, some toric lenses have a weighted bottom and are thicker and heavier in certain areas. These features prevent rotation and help the lenses maintain their position when you blink or move your head. Research from 2015 suggests that using toric lenses to correct low to moderate astigmatism may have a positive effect on driving performance. There are three main types of toric contact lenses: Soft contact lensesSoft contact lenses are good for mild to moderate astigmatism. Their softness and flexibility offer comfort, plus they’re easy to use and usually don’t fall out. However, it may be more difficult to get the correct fit, and they don’t provide as much clear vision as other types. They may become misaligned, which could require adjustments. RGP contact lensesRigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses allow for oxygen flow and breathability. At first, they may be less comfortable than soft contacts since they retain their shape on your eye. Over time, you’ll adapt to RGP lenses and they’ll feel more comfortable. RGP lenses are better able to correct astigmatism and make your vision clearer. They also retain their shape when you blink, which provides sharp vision. RGP contacts stay put better than other options, but they can still dislodge during physical activity. Another drawback is that debris can collect under RGP lenses and causes irritation. Hybrid contact lensesHybrid contacts have a rigid gas-permeable center with softer edges made of a soft hydrogel or silicone hydrogel material. These lenses offer comfort while still providing the clear vision that RGP lenses offer. Due to their large size and thin edges, they’re less likely to fall out during physical activity. To help you select contacts for astigmatism, we’ve created a list that you can use as a starting point to get a feel for the different types of contacts and to narrow your search. We chose the following contacts based on:
Keep in mind that all contact lenses require a doctor’s prescription, which takes into account the best lens for the shape of your eye. You’ll want to have an eye examination and consultation with a doctor even if you plan to order from an online contact lens retailer to get your most up-to-date prescription. The eye exam itself will help determine the health of your eyes. With regular eye checkups, your doctor can also check the fit of your contact lenses. Pricing guideWe’ve listed the average price and number of lenses per package. A few things affect how much you pay for contacts. It’s common for retailers to have sales and to offer 1-month or 3-month supply packages. Manufacturers also have rebate or coupon programs that you can apply. Some retailers and doctors’ offices generally offer discounts for an annual supply of lenses. Make sure to check with your local doctor or eye retailer. Terms to know Best contacts for dry eyesAcuvue Oasys for Astigmatism
Acuvue Oasys for Astigmatism 1- to 2-week disposable soft contact lenses are made of silicone hydrogel, offering comfort and breathability. They use Hydraclear Plus technology to infuse a wetting agent into the lens, helping retain moisture and prevent dry eyes. When you quickly move your eyes or blink, the lenses stay stable, providing sharp, clear vision. Plus, they have the highest ultraviolet (UV) protection level possible. Most comfortable contacts for astigmatismAir Optix plus Hydraglyde for Astigmatism
The lens material of these monthly disposables helps retain surface moisture and protect the lens from irritating deposits. With your eye doctor’s permission, you can sleep in these lenses for up to 6 nights. Best breathable contact lensesCooperVision Biofinity Toric
The Biofinity Toric monthlies are breathable and water absorbent. Most users find the quality of this lens comfortable for extended wear and the lens clarity dependable for a solid 4 weeks. Best contacts for visual clarityBiotrue ONEday for Astigmatism
Biotrue ONEday for Astigmatism daily disposables provide visual clarity with high definition optics that reduce glare and the halo effect. The lens design helps maintain stability and minimize rotation. The lenses offer UV protection and maintain moisture for 16 hours. Best contacts for screen useBausch + Lomb ULTRA Multifocal for Astigmatism
These multifocal monthly lenses fit comfortably and seal in moisture for 16 hours, making them a good choice for people with digital eye strain and dryness. They correct astigmatism and offer visual acuity at all distances for people with presbyopia and for people who are farsighted. Best contacts for sensitive eyes1-Day Acuvue Moist for Astigmatism
The Acuvue Moist for Astigmatism daily disposables offer sharp vision and UV protection. Comfortable enough for all-day wear, the lenses help prevent irritation and retain moisture for lasting hydration. Best contacts for athletesDAILIES AquaComfort Plus Toric
These daily disposable lenses use blink-activated technology to lock in moisture for all-day comfort. The lens design minimizes rotation and improves stability to deliver sharp vision, making them a good choice for athletes and people with an active lifestyle. Best contacts for high astigmatismProclear Toric XR
Proclear Toric XR monthlies deliver crisp vision in an extended range of powers for people with high levels of astigmatism. The natural-feel lenses have a high water content to prevent dry eyes and irritation. Your eye doctor can do a routine eye examination to determine how farsighted or nearsighted you are and the severity of your astigmatism. They’ll recommend the best contact lenses based on your needs. Some cases of astigmatism will require custom-made toric contact lenses. At the end of your appointment, they will give you a contact lens prescription. They can recommend reliable products and retailers. Consider factors such as what kind of contact care routine you’re most likely to follow. If you have eye dryness or light sensitivity, be sure to tell your doctor. After a few weeks of use, follow up with your eye doctor to make sure that you have the best fit. Why are contacts for astigmatism so expensive?Contacts for astigmatism are so expensive because they have an irregular shape requiring a custom fit. Due to their complex design, it’s more costly to design and manufacture contacts for astigmatism. Plus, the fitting process is more complicated and time-consuming, and you may need to try several pairs to find the right fit. How do toric and astigmatism lenses work differently?Soft toric lenses conform to the shape of your cornea. They are flexible, comfortable, and easy to use. However, finding the proper position may be challenging, and misalignments are common. Rigid gas-permeable (RGP) lenses maintain their shape over your eyes and stay in place fairly easily. Depending on your level of astigmatism, standard RGP lenses may provide enough visual clarity for low and moderate astigmatism. High levels require RGP toric lenses. For any type of irregular astigmatism, RPG lenses are necessary for irregular astigmatism, which can’t be corrected by soft lenses. Hybrid toric contact lenses combine a rigid gas-permeable center and soft hydrogel or silicone hydrogel edges to provide visual clarity and stability. They can also correct irregular astigmatism. If you have astigmatism, take the time to carefully select the contacts that will best suit your needs. Astigmatism may require a slightly complicated prescription, so stick to a reputable brand that can accommodate your needs. An eye doctor can help determine the best contact lenses for you and address any concerns you have. Always follow your contact replacement schedule, and schedule a follow-up appointment after a few weeks of your initial fitting. As a contact lens wearer, it’s important to keep regular visits to your eye care professional to ensure the health of your eyes. Although it’s rare, complications could be possible. What happens if I wear colored contacts with astigmatism?Q: Can you wear regular contact lenses if you have astigmatism? A: No, if you have astigmatism, it's essential that you wear specialized contact lenses because your condition can worsen if not. Regular contact lenses do not cover your cornea's entirety, which will impair your ability to see even further.
Can eyes with astigmatism wear colored contacts?If you suffer from astigmatism, you can still find colored contact lenses to enhance or completely change your natural eye color. Colored contacts for astigmatism are specialized and often more expensive than traditional vision-correcting contacts.
Can you wear Halloween contacts with astigmatism?While many costume lenses can be ordered with a power in them, most costume lenses DO NOT correct for astigmatism. If you have an astigmatism, your optometrist may be able to order a prescription that is close to yours but bear in mind that vision may not be ideal and a vision check is necessary to ensure your safety.
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