Are there Contacts for Astigmatism?
Having astigmatism means that your eyes do not focus light in one spot, instead the light is focused in two different places. Previously, only glasses could correct astigmatism. Now there are several options for contacts to correct astigmatism. These contacts are called toric contacts.
What is Astigmatism?
Astigmatism causes light to focus on two places in the back of the eye instead of focusing just in one place on the retina.
Having astigmatism will cause blurry vision in the distance and up close, while nearsightedness and farsightedness will only affect one or the other.
Astigmatism is not a serious condition and is actually the most common eye condition in the world. Like nearsightedness or farsightedness, it only requires glasses or contacts to improve the vision.
Types of Astigmatism
There are two main types of astigmatism. By far the most common type of astigmatism is called regular astigmatism.
Regular astigmatism is what is usually thought of when discussing astigmatism and glasses or contacts. In regular astigmatism, the two axes of the glasses are 90 degrees apart and cross perfectly to form a cross in the vision.
This allows the eyes to have two equal points focused in the back of the eye.
On the other hand, irregular astigmatism occurs when the axes of the astigmatism are uneven and not 90 degrees apart.
Irregular astigmatism is associated with keratoconus, pellucid marginal degeneration, and corneal transplants.
Irregular astigmatism is not a normal refractive condition and will only occur with other eye conditions or diseases.
Contacts for Regular Astigmatism
Regular astigmatism can be corrected with toric soft contacts. These contacts are flexible and fit comfortably on the front of the eye.
The astigmatism requires that the contact not be perfectly symmetrical, and that one edge is thicker than the other.
Luckily, the scale of the difference between the edges is so minuscule that it does not affect the appearance, function, or comfort of the contact.
It is important for toric contact lenses to align properly on the eye as this allows it to correct the astigmatism appropriately.
The toric contact lenses all have a balancing system in the contact lens that causes the contact to always rotate to the same location and remain stable once there.
Contacts for Irregular Astigmatism
Irregular astigmatism poses a unique challenge for both glasses and contacts: the astigmatism is not equal nor even.
Soft contacts can correct for only a very small amount of irregular astigmatism.
For larger amounts of irregular astigmatism, hard contact lenses provide a better option to both improve comfort and the vision.
These hard contact lenses can be very large and vault over the cornea or much smaller and sit comfortably on the center of the cornea.
Problems with Contacts for Astigmatism
Two of the most common problems with contacts for astigmatism involve poor vision with the contacts and issues with discomfort with the contacts.
If the contacts move excessively or do not align with the needed axes, both the vision and comfort can be affected.
If there are issues with comfort or vision in contacts, it is worth consulting with the prescribing doctor to attempt to make any needed changes to improve the problem.
Our eye doctors at GHEye excel in prescription of glasses, contact lenses and the diagnosis of a variety of eye diseases. Call our optometrists at (571) 445-3692 to schedule your appointment today if you would like to get contacts to correct astigmatism. Our eye doctors, Dr. Ally Stoeger and Dr. Jennifer Sun provide the highest quality optometry services and eye exams in the Gainesville VA and Haymarket VA areas.
Having astigmatism means that your eyes do not focus light in one spot, instead the light is focused in two different places. Previously, only glasses could correct astigmatism. Now there are several options for contacts to correct astigmatism. These contacts are called toric contacts.
What is Astigmatism?
Astigmatism causes light to focus on two places in the back of the eye instead of focusing just in one place on the retina.
Having astigmatism will cause blurry vision in the distance and up close, while nearsightedness and farsightedness will only affect one or the other.
Astigmatism is not a serious condition and is actually the most common eye condition in the world. Like nearsightedness or farsightedness, it only requires glasses or contacts to improve the vision.
Types of Astigmatism
There are two main types of astigmatism. By far the most common type of astigmatism is called regular astigmatism.
Regular astigmatism is what is usually thought of when discussing astigmatism and glasses or contacts. In regular astigmatism, the two axes of the glasses are 90 degrees apart and cross perfectly to form a cross in the vision.
This allows the eyes to have two equal points focused in the back of the eye.
On the other hand, irregular astigmatism occurs when the axes of the astigmatism are uneven and not 90 degrees apart.
Irregular astigmatism is associated with keratoconus, pellucid marginal degeneration, and corneal transplants.
Irregular astigmatism is not a normal refractive condition and will only occur with other eye conditions or diseases.
Contacts for Regular Astigmatism
Regular astigmatism can be corrected with toric soft contacts. These contacts are flexible and fit comfortably on the front of the eye.
The astigmatism requires that the contact not be perfectly symmetrical, and that one edge is thicker than the other.
Luckily, the scale of the difference between the edges is so minuscule that it does not affect the appearance, function, or comfort of the contact.
It is important for toric contact lenses to align properly on the eye as this allows it to correct the astigmatism appropriately.
The toric contact lenses all have a balancing system in the contact lens that causes the contact to always rotate to the same location and remain stable once there.
Contacts for Irregular Astigmatism
Irregular astigmatism poses a unique challenge for both glasses and contacts: the astigmatism is not equal nor even.
Soft contacts can correct for only a very small amount of irregular astigmatism.
For larger amounts of irregular astigmatism, hard contact lenses provide a better option to both improve comfort and the vision.
These hard contact lenses can be very large and vault over the cornea or much smaller and sit comfortably on the center of the cornea.
Problems with Contacts for Astigmatism
Two of the most common problems with contacts for astigmatism involve poor vision with the contacts and issues with discomfort with the contacts.
If the contacts move excessively or do not align with the needed axes, both the vision and comfort can be affected.
If there are issues with comfort or vision in contacts, it is worth consulting with the prescribing doctor to attempt to make any needed changes to improve the problem.