Contact lenses for astigmatism

Are there contact lenses for astigmatism? The short answer is yes. Now, let's briefly review what astigmatism is, how it's diagnosed, and how contact lenses help with astigmatism.

So what is it? This is important as we learn about contact lenses for astigmatism. Astigmatism is an irregular curve of the cornea, or front part of the eye. This can make images you see look like you are viewing them in a wavy mirror. The cornea is usually spherically curved the same in all directions and smooth, allowing light entering the eye to be focused equally in all directions and on all planes. Astigmatism is the curvature of the cornea more in one direction than another. If the cornea is shaped like a basketball, vision is undistorted. With astigmatism the cornea is shaped more like a rugby ball or American football, causing the light coming into the eye to be focused through the more curved area before it is focused through the less curved area of the cornea. This allows only part of what you're seeing to be in focus, while the rest is blurred. Join over 4 million other 1-800 CONTACTS customers and enjoy savings and convenience.

The cornea is crystal clear and located at the front of the eye. It allows light into the eye accomplishing 4/5ths of the refractive effort needed for normal clear vision. Light rays are bent by the cornea toward one another until they come to a point. Next, the lens behind the cornea continues the refractive effort steering light to a very specific place on the retina, called the fovea. If the light coming into the eye is not directed to a fine point on the fovea, the viewed image received by the retina cannot be relayed to the brain clearly. So, astigmatism directs only a portion of what is viewed to a point on the retina, making that part of the image clear, and leaving the rest of the image blurred. Usually this blurring is present at all distances, when astigmatism is present.

If images you see seem blurred or distorted at distances near or far, or you experience fatigue, squinting, headache, eye irritation or discomfort, even if you have pretty sharp vision, you should see your eye doctor to determine if you have astigmatism. This is especially important for school children, because it is usually not detected during regular eye screening in school, and it can contribute to poor schoolwork. Astigmatism is quite common, and some experts say everyone has some degree of astigmatism. Experts believe that the tendency toward astigmatism is inherited. Often the level of astigmatism at birth stays constant for life. Astigmatism isn't a disease, and does not mean you have bad eyes. It just means you have a different curve in your cornea.

How will your eye doctor address your need for contact lenses for astigmatism? First, a thorough eye exam is essential. Your eye doctor can perform precision tests to identify the best contact lens prescription to correct your vision. Testing for astigmatism takes more time than for myopia, also known as nearsightedness, or hyperopia, also known as farsightedness. You may have only a small level of astigmatism, and as long as you do not have nearsightedness or farsightedness you may not need any vision correction. If, however, you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above that point to pronounced astigmatism, your eye doctor will likely prescribe toric lenses, or contact lenses for astigmatism. Toric lenses can be made to correct vision needs like regular contact lenses, and have an additional power element called a cylinder, giving them greater power to bend light on one plane or axis than in others. These contact lenses for astigmatism direct light to your retina more effectively providing you clearer vision. Toric contact lenses require greater expertise than regular contacts to fit properly, and you can help your eye doctor by letting them know during the eye exam if your vision is blurry when you blink or move your eye. Properly fitting contact lenses for astigmatism sometimes requires some trial and error with the eye doctor and patient. With the correct prescription for toric contact lenses you can enjoy sharp vision.

Contact lenses for astigmatism are weighted on the bottom to help keep the contacts in place when you blink, look side to side, and up and down. Toric contacts are available in both soft contact lens and rigid gas permeable contact lens varieties. Check with your eye doctor for the best solution to meet your need for contact lenses for astigmatism, and start seeing more clearly.