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Home » What’s New » A Closer Look at Astigmatism and Contact Lenses

A Closer Look at Astigmatism and Contact Lenses

If you are someone with astigmatism and you don't wear contact lenses, then you'll be interested to hear this. Contact lenses are actually a method of correcting the condition. Astigmatism means that your eye has an irregularly shaped cornea, which alters how light enters the eye. The light doesn't come to a proper focal point on the retina, which affects one's ability to see clearly.

Contact lenses designed to fix this condition, known as toric contact lenses, are manufactured from the same material as regular spherical contact lenses. What differs between toric lenses and common contact lenses is the design. Think of them as the bifocals of contact lenses; they have a power to fix your myopia or hyperopia and another for your astigmatism. They have curvatures at various angles. Because of how they're constructed, toric lenses need to remain in place on your eye in order to correct your vision, unlike spherical contact lenses, which have no effect if they rotate on your eye when you blink. A smart feature of toric lenses is the fact that they're weighted at the bottom, which helps them stay in place when you blink or rub your eyes.

There are several scheduling options for toric contact lens users, including soft disposable contact lenses, daily disposable lenses, and frequent replacement lenses. If you are used to multifocal or even colored contact lenses, then don't worry, there are toric lenses for you. Rigid gas permeable lenses (RGP, or hard contact lenses) are made from a tougher substance that remains in shape when you blink, and sometimes give even better vision than other lenses. But they are often not as comfortable. .

Toric lens fittings are usually longer than normal lens fittings. This is because it's a more complex product, and we want to make sure that you leave with a pair that fits you perfectly. But it's worth it. With advances in the field of optometry, those with astigmatism can take advantage of the benefits of contact lenses, with many options to choose from.