Contact lenses for astigmatism compensation

Like myopia and hyperopia, astigmatism is a refraction error of the eye involving a refraction difference in different meridians. This is a quite common visual condition among human beings. Astigmatism can be caused by either hereditary or environmental reasons. While some forms of astigmatism are not explainable, most types are clearly known. People who move eyes in a single direction a lot and those with lower socio-economic status, poor diet are more likely to get astigmatism.

Regular and mixed astigmatism

Patients with astigmatism have an aspheric, non-figure revolution cornea and have difficulty in seeing fine details. Regular astigmatism makes the cornea just like an egg, with a flatter curvature and a second steeper curvature. There is also mixed astigmatism, which is extremely unusual. The difference between the two types lies in the two curvatures. The two curvatures of mixed astigmatism are not perpendicular to each other, which is harder for correction.

Astigmatism is definitely correctable

Astigmatism is a common vision refractive error that occurs in many people to different degrees. As people age, the condition may get worse. The oval cornea in astigmatic patients brings blurry vision, especially during fine print reading. But this vision problem is not an eye disease and there are feasible ways to treat it. Until now, both prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses are available for astigmatism correction. The compensation for astigmatism is usually combined with myopia or hyperopia glasses. Using Rx contact lenses, the situation is similar and the exact product is called toric contacts. However, it is worth stating that both prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses actually compensate for astigmatism, not “correcting” it.

Soft and GP contact lenses for astigmatism correction

Nowadays, both rigid gas permeable and soft toric contact lenses are available for astigmatism correction. In addition, the bifocal technology called monovision is sometimes used to fit toric contact lenses. Contact lenses for astigmatism correction also have extended wear types, which allow wearers to sleep while leaving the lenses in the eyes. Currently, both toric soft and rigid gas permeable contact lenses are offered for extended wear. Most extended wear contacts are approved to last continuously six days, while one brand of toric type extends the term to 30 days. Choosing an experienced eye care practitioner is essential for proper extended lens fitting.