Find out how you to best improve your eyesight with contacts for astigmatism or correct astigmatism without glasses!
Ever squinted at the world around you, wishing for a clear picture? You’re not alone. Over 30% of people grapple with getting glasses or contacts for astigmatism, trying to correct their blurred vision.
You might ask, “Why contacts?” Well, they offer an advantage over glasses by providing a wider field of view and reducing distortions. But what if there was more?
In this article, we’ll discuss how soft toric lenses and rigid gas-permeable ones stay put regardless of your eye movements. With the right fit you can experience the freedom of sight without being weighed down by glasses. However, there are some situations where glasses are the best option—and we’ll talk about that as well. Whichever option you choose, you can save with vision insurance coverage from Linneo!
Want to learn even more about correcting an astigmatism using contact lenses? Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Understanding Astigmatism and Its Treatment Options
While astigmatism is common, many aren’t sure how to get the right corrective lenses
Astigmatism, affecting about 1 in 3 people, can turn the world into a blur. It’s caused by an irregularly shaped cornea or lens inside your eye. This mishap bends light differently than a regular shape would, leading to blurred vision.
Common Symptoms of Astigmatism
The first signs might be subtle—slight headaches and squinting more often than normal. But when objects both near and far start looking fuzzy or stretched out, it’s time to visit your local optical. In rare cases, you may experience night vision problems, too, because astigmatism can disrupt low-light focusing powers. Often, this makes it more difficult for people with astigmatism to drive at nighttime.
Benefits of Contacts for Astigmatism
If you live a very active lifestyle or simply do not like wearing glasses, then contacts might be the perfect remedy for astigmatism. Toric contact lenses work to correct distorted visions by using different refractive powers at various points on the lens to match the misshapen cornea or lenticular astigmatisms in your eyes.
Toric contacts maintain their orientation due to gravity and blinking so that their middle axis aligns with yours for optimal correction. Unlike non-toric lenses used mainly for mild astigmatisms only, torics handle moderate ones effectively as well.
Daily disposable toric contact lenses also exist, though not everyone will find them suitable, though. There are other options available too— like rigid gas-permeable (RGP) contacts.
RGP’s unique hard material helps them hold form against irregular shapes, giving you a fresh pair of eyes. But soft toric lenses are more popular for their comfort, and hey, they do the job pretty well, too.
Finally, remember to have regular eye check-ups with your eye care professionals. They will ensure that you’re on track with astigmatism treatment and guide you through this journey.
Exploring Different Types of Contacts for Astigmatism
Not sure which type of contact lens is the best for your needs? Keep reading to learn more about what sets them apart
If you have astigmatism, there’s good news. There are a number of different types of contact lenses that you can choose from. Advances in eye care have led to effective solutions like the toric contact lens and rigid gas-permeable (RGP) contact lenses.
Soft Toric Contact Lenses
Toric contact lenses are specifically designed to correct astigmatic vision. Unlike regular contacts, these come with different refractive powers at various points around the lens. They even stay stable on your eye because they’re weighted at the bottom
The soft variant of these wear toric contact lenses offers several benefits over hard ones. For starters, soft toric contact lenses are more comfortable than their RGP counterparts and provide clear vision without much adaptation time needed by users.
However, bear in mind that getting the perfect fit might need multiple visits to your eye care practitioner due to their complex nature, which requires accurate fitting parameters.
Rigid Gas-Permeable (RGP) Contact Lenses
If you’ve tried soft topics but didn’t quite get along with them, or if you have high degrees of astigmatism—don’t get too worried. Rigid gas-permeable contacts are another great option for correcting astigmatism!
RGP lenses maintain their shape when you blink, offering crisp, clear vision as they cover any corneal irregularities, effectively making it smooth and clear. This is an especially good option for those who may struggle with blurry or poor night vision when using other types of contacts.
Fitting RGPs does require careful attention from experienced eye care professionals as they are custom-made for your eyes, but the effort is well worth it when you see the results.
So, we’ve covered two outstanding types of contact lenses that can sharpen your view if astigmatism is giving you a hard time. Depending on your unique needs and comfort, either soft toric or rigid gas-permeable contacts might be the right fit for you.
Getting Fitted for Contacts for Astigmatism
Instead of astigmatism glasses, you can see clearly when you get properly fitted for your astigmatism contacts
If you have astigmatism, getting the right fit for your contact lenses is key. You’ll need to start with an eye exam. Your eye doctor will measure each eye’s refractive power and curvature.
The parameters from this exam help determine the best type of lens for you. Toric contacts are a common choice due to their unique design that helps correct vision blurred by astigmatism.
These lenses come in different focusing powers at various points around the lens. The specific placement of these powers on toric lenses helps them stay in place on your eyes better than non-toric lenses do, ensuring clear vision all day long.
Lens Prescription: More Than Just Numbers
Your lens prescription isn’t just about correcting blurry vision— it’s also crucial for comfort and ease of use. For example, if your contacts don’t fit well or rotate too much when blinking, they won’t provide clear and stable vision. So yes. Proper fitting is crucial to ensure comfort and clear vision.
You should ask questions during fittings to make sure everything feels good before committing to any one brand or style. Don’t forget that even after leaving the office, adjustments might be necessary until you find what works best
Finding Correct Parameters For Toric Contact Lenses
Toric contact lenses have more parameters than regular ones because they must align correctly with irregularly shaped corneas typical in people with astigmatism. Some essential measurements include the base curve (the back surface shape), diameter (lens size), cylinder (amount of correction needed), and axis (where along the curve correction is needed).
Once your eye doctor gives you the right measurements, it’s time to pick a fresh pair of contacts. The fitting process is more involved than for regular lenses, but getting them just right will let you see clearly and comfortably. Remember, comfort is key in the process, so be sure to let your contact lens specialist know if you experience any discomfort.
Last but not least, remember that an annual check-up with your eye care practitioner is necessary for valid contact lens prescription. Regular follow-ups ensure your contact lens prescription stays up-to-date and helps maintain optimal vision health.
Daily Life with Toric Contact Lenses
Adapting to life with toric contact lenses is a breeze once you understand the basics
To get started with toric contact lenses, first, ensure that the lens is correctly placed on your eye for optimal astigmatism correction. Positioning is key for correcting astigmatism, so make sure your lens aligns correctly with your eye.
Establishing a Wear Schedule
To keep those eyes happy and healthy, it’s important to stick to a safe-wear schedule. Not only does this help maintain clear vision, but it also prevents potential complications like eye infections or dryness. Your eye care professional should give you guidance on an appropriate schedule based on your specific needs.
Understanding Supplemental Insurance Options
To keep those eyes happy and healthy, it’s important to stick to a safe-wear schedule. Not only does this help maintain clear vision, but it also prevents potential complications like eye infections or dryness. Your eye care professional should give you guidance on an appropriate schedule based on your specific needs.
Most people find that removing their lenses after 8 hours of use helps avoid discomfort or blurred vision from extended use. But remember, everyone’s eyes are different. Always listen to what your eyes are telling you—if they’re tired or irritated, give them some rest.
If problems persist even after giving yourself breaks from wearing contacts throughout the day, it might be time for a fresh pair. If you opt for a daily contact lens, then you don’t need to worry about switching your lenses—you can use a fresh pair every day.
Cleaning Toric Contact Lenses
Maintaining clean lenses is another critical part of daily life with torics, as it can help extend their lifespan and ensure optimal performance in correcting astigmatism.
A simple routine involves washing and drying hands thoroughly before handling lenses and then using recommended cleaning solutions—never water. Soak them overnight in a contact lens solution, and be sure that they are clear of any debris before you place them in your eyes the next morning. As long as you keep some contact lens solution and a case on you at all times, you shouldn’t run into any issues.
Dealing with Common Issues
Nobody likes hiccups when it comes down to our sight, right? Even though we’d love everything to go smoothly, sometimes it just doesn’t. But don’t worry. Common issues like discomfort or shifting lenses can often be fixed with minor adjustments.
Remember: never hesitate to consult your eye care professional if you’re experiencing problems with your contacts. They’re the experts, after all.
Considering Other Options for Astigmatism
Though contact lenses are the best option for many, they aren’t the perfect fit for everyone
If you’re living with astigmatism, toric contact lenses are a common solution. But they aren’t the only game in town.
Daily disposable toric contact lenses offer one alternative. As the name suggests, these are fresh pairs of contacts that you wear just once and then toss at day’s end. No cleaning or storage is required. This can be an appealing option if convenience is key to your eye care routine.
You might also consider non-toric contact lenses for mild astigmatism cases. These regular-shaped contacts may not correct vision as precisely as their more toric lens counterparts, but they often work well enough when astigmatism is minimal.
Daily Disposable Toric Contact Lenses: A Fresh Perspective
The biggest perk of daily disposables? Hygiene. You start each day with a clean lens, reducing risks associated with long-term use, like infections or deposits buildup on your lens surface. If this sounds like the best option for you, then you can ask your eye doctor or contact lens specialist about daily disposable lenses.
Mild Astigmatism? Consider Non-Toric Contacts
In rare cases of very mild lenticular astigmatism or corneal astigmatisms (the two types), traditional spherical (non-toric) lenses could do the trick—provided we’re talking about really slight irregularities in shape.
Spherical Soft Contact Lenses vs. Rigid Gas-Permeable One's
Rigid gas-permeable contact lenses are another avenue worth exploring if the other options aren’t working. They maintain their shape even when blinking, so they can give clear vision by correcting any misshapenness on your cornea effectively – think of them as mini glasses sitting directly on your eye.
However, comfort is an issue for some. Because they’re hard lenses, RGPs might take a bit more getting used to compared to soft contacts.
Toric contact lenses are often the first choice for fixing astigmatism. But remember, you’re not stuck with just one option. It’s definitely worth your time to explore all other alternatives with you.
Other Solutions for Your Astigmatism: Glasses
For those with sensitive eyes, astigmatism glasses may be the best choice for clear vision
If you find that there are considerations—medical or otherwise—that prevent you from wearing contact lenses, then you may want to try other options. Fortunately, the solution often lies in getting the right prescription eyeglasses, commonly referred to as “astigmatism glasses.”
These specialized glasses are designed to correct the otherwise irregular shape or curvature of the cornea or lens that characterizes astigmatism, ensuring that light entering the eye is properly focused onto the retina.
Special Considerations for Astigmatism Glasses
Astigmatism glasses work by counteracting the unequal steepness of the cornea or lens, which causes light to scatter and results in distorted or blurry vision. The prescription for astigmatism glasses contains two components: one for nearsightedness (myopia) or farsightedness (hyperopia), and another for the astigmatism itself.
The combination of these prescriptions ensures that both the spherical and cylindrical aspects of your vision are corrected, allowing you to see clearly and comfortably.
Wearing astigmatism glasses can be a life-changing experience for those with this common vision issue. These glasses not only enhance visual acuity but also help reduce eye strain, headaches, and overall discomfort caused by untreated astigmatism. If you suspect you have astigmatism or have been diagnosed with it, consulting with an eye care professional is crucial.
They will perform a comprehensive eye exam to determine the precise prescription needed for your astigmatism glasses, ensuring that you enjoy improved vision and a better quality of life. Don’t let astigmatism hold you back – get the right astigmatism glasses and see the world with clarity.
There are many reasons why someone would need—or want—to wear glasses over contacts. For some, it is simply easier. For others, there are other complications, in addition to astigmatism, that could prevent individuals from wearing contact lenses.
Shopping for Contact for Astigmatism – What You Need to Know
Purchasing contact lenses online can be as easy as a few clicks—but it's crucial to know your needs and understand the different brands available
The market is teeming with various contact lens brands. Each offers unique features tailored to address diverse eye conditions, including astigmatism.
You’ll find options like toric contact lenses from Air Optix that are designed specifically for correcting astigmatism. Other manufacturers like Bausch + Lomb also offer quality soft toric lenses ideal for those who prioritize comfort while ensuring clear vision.
Rigid gas-permeable (RGP) or hard lenses from reputable makers such as Johnson & Johnson VisionCare might appeal more if you prefer long-lasting contacts offering sharp night vision. Remember, though, these require some getting used to time compared to their softer counterparts.
Remember, it’s always best to consult with your eye care practitioner before deciding on the purchase of any specific brand or type of lens.
Finding Your Perfect Fit Online
Beyond understanding different types and brands of contacts lies another vital step—getting the correct measurements. Astigmatism demands precise fitting due to its irregularly shaped cornea nature—so having accurate refractive powers on hand will ensure comfortable wear and improved vision clarity.
A good starting point? Schedule an appointment with an eye care professional who can guide you in this process. They’ll help get the correct parameters for toric contact lenses, making sure they fit your eye’s unique shape and size perfectly.
After securing a valid prescription, use it to search for your perfect pair online. With vision insurance or an Eyewear Savings Plan from Linneo, you can access exclusive discounts and save every time you order. Don’t forget to take note of reordering procedures—because nothing is more frustrating than running out of contacts at the worst possible time.
Finally, don’t forget that managing astigmatism isn’t just about popping on corrective lenses. It’s also crucial to have regular check-ups.
FAQs About Getting Contacts for Astigmatism
What are the best contacts for astigmatism?
Toric contacts are often the top pick because they correct both myopia or hypermetropia and astigmatism.
Can I wear regular contacts if I have astigmatism?
If your astigmatism is mild, you might get by with regular lenses. But for more pronounced cases, toric lenses offer better vision correction.
What are the disadvantages of contact lenses for astigmatism?
Lenses may rotate in your eye, causing blurred vision. They also tend to be pricier than standard contacts and require careful fitting.
Are astigmatism contacts expensive?
Astigmatic-specific options like toric or rigid gas-permeable (RGP) lenses can cost a bit more compared to ordinary spherical ones due to their complex design.Getting the right contacts for astigmatism takes time, but it is ultimately worth it to significantly improve your vision. We’ve broken down all you need to know about this common eye condition and how contacts can be a game-changer.
The key takeaway is clear: Astigmatism doesn’t mean blurred vision forever. With these insights in hand and advice from your trusted eye care practitioner, crisp sights are just around the corner!