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A Closer Look at Astigmatism and Contact Lenses

If you are someone with astigmatism and you think you can't wear contacts, you're mistaken. Contact lenses can actually be a way to correct the condition. The cornea of a normally sighted person is round, but in the case of someone with astigmatism, it's more elliptical. This changes the way light enters the eye, and results in blurred vision.

Toric contact lenses are prescribed to correct astigmatism. The biggest difference between toric lenses and common lenses is the design. Normal lenses have one power, but toric lenses have two: one for distance vision and one for astigmatism. They feature curvatures at various angles. Unlike regular lenses, which can freely shift and have no effect on your vision, toric lenses need to stay in place. Contact lenses for astigmatism are actually weighted on the bottom, and this helps them stay in place on your eye.

There are a number of scheduling options for toric contact lens users, including soft disposable contact lenses, daily disposable lenses, and frequent replacement lenses. And those with astigmatism have no shortage of options; toric lenses even come in color, or as multifocals. Rigid gas permeable lenses (RGP, or hard contact lenses) are made from a harder material that keeps their form even when you rub your eyes or blink, and sometimes give sharper vision than other lenses. But the downside is that they are often less comfortable to wear. .

Due to the fact that toric lenses are a little more complex, you should factor in some extra time for your fitting. But it's worth it. With advances in the field of optometry, individuals with astigmatism have lots of life-improving options to choose from.