How Do Astigmatism Contact Lenses Differ from Regular Lenses?
When you’re considering contact lenses, it’s important to choose the type that best addresses your unique vision needs. For individuals with astigmatism, standard contact lenses aren’t always effective. Instead, specialized lenses are designed to deliver clear, stable vision. Let’s take a closer look at what sets them apart and why the right fit matters for your eye health and comfort.
What Is Astigmatism?
Astigmatism is a common refractive error caused by an irregular shape of the cornea or lens in your eye. Instead of being perfectly round like a basketball, the cornea is shaped more like a football, causing light to focus on multiple points in the eye rather than just one. This leads to blurred or distorted vision at all distances.
Regular contact lenses, also known as spherical lenses, are designed to correct nearsightedness (myopia) or farsightedness (hyperopia). These lenses have a uniform shape and power throughout, which is effective for eyes with a round cornea but not for those with astigmatism. Spherical lenses can sometimes slip or rotate on the eye, but this doesn’t typically impact vision for people without astigmatism.
Contact Lenses for Astigmatism
Contact lenses designed for astigmatism are called toric lenses. Here’s how they differ:
Shape and Design: Toric lenses have a unique shape that creates different focusing powers in different meridians of the lens to correct the uneven curvature of the cornea.
Orientation and Stability: Unlike regular lenses, toric lenses are weighted or designed with special features to keep them in the correct position on the eye. If a toric lens rotates out of place, your vision can become blurry, so these stability features are essential.
Prescription Complexity: Toric lenses require more precise measurements for fit and prescription, as both the degree of astigmatism and its orientation (axis) must be corrected.
Are Toric Lenses Comfortable?
Today’s toric lenses come in a variety of soft and rigid gas permeable options. Advances in lens technology mean that most people with astigmatism can enjoy clear, comfortable vision with the right toric lens. However, some individuals may require a few adjustments to find the ideal lens fit and prescription.
Take the Next Step Toward Clear, Comfortable Sight
Astigmatism contact lenses are specifically engineered to provide clear, stable vision for those with irregular corneas. If you have astigmatism, wearing the right lenses can make a significant difference in your comfort and visual clarity.
Schedule a contact lens exam with Highlands Optometry to find the right contact lens option for your astigmatism. Visit our office in Bristol or Wise, Virginia. Please call (276) 466-4227 or (276) 679-5612, respectively, to book an appointment today.
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