Contact Lenses for Astigmatism: What are Your Options?
Have you been told that you have astigmatism? Often people think that they will never wear contact lenses again after they have been diagnosed with this eye condition. The truth is that there are options available if you want to use these vision correction lenses. All you need to do is schedule an appointment with an eye doctor who offers contact lenses for astigmatism.
Here are some of the main types of contact lenses that might be used for people with astigmatism:
Toric Contact Lenses
This contact lens is designed so that they are weighted at the bottom, helping to prevent rotation of the lens in the eye. The contact lenses are worn to correct astigmatism and can be made as soft contact lenses or rigid gas permeable lenses.
Because of the unique shape of the eye, it takes a little more expertise to fit Toric contact lenses for someone with astigmatism. So, it is important that you visit an experienced eye doctor who specializes in these lenses to ensure the fit and comfort of the contacts.
Gas Permeable Contact Lenses
A popular choice for astigmatism is to wear rigid gas permeable contact lenses. These lenses can help with astigmatism correction even without the toric design. Since the lenses are rigid, they retain their shape instead of conforming to the unusual shape of the cornea.
When the gas permeable contact lens is over the eye, it essentially replaces the unusually-shaped cornea to create a new primary refracting surface. So, it isn’t necessary to manage the rotation of the contact lens within the eye.
As mentioned earlier, there are gas permeable lenses that are made with the toric design. But, these contact lenses for astigmatism aren’t necessary for every patient. In some situations, the toric design of the gas permeable lenses will be needed if someone has high amounts of astigmatism.
Since the gas permeable lenses are rigid, they can be uncomfortable to wear. Patients often find that it takes a longer time to adjust to the lenses (compared to soft contact lenses). Some people can not get used to the feeling of having the rigid lens on their eye.
Hybrid Design
In some situations, it might make sense to use a hybrid design. These contact lenses have a middle section with the hard, gas permeable materials, with an outside “fitting zone” that is made of softer materials.
This contact lens design provides the sharp vision correction that is available from gas permeable lenses, while also offering the comfort of soft lenses at the same time.
Where to Get Contact Lenses for Astigmatism
If you have astigmatism, right now is a great time to explore your options for contact lenses. We have experienced optometrists at Village Eyecare who can fit you for the right type of contact lenses for astigmatism. We will complete a thorough exam to determine the best design and brand for your eyes. For more information, schedule an exam with our team. We offer four offices in the Chicago area, providing convenient locations for you to visit.