What Happens If You Wear Contacts & Have Astigmatism?

Astigmatism is among the most common vision problems in the world. It is often hereditary, but can also occur from eye injury or corneal scarring due to infections. The condition is usually correctable. It was once thought that people with astigmatism could not wear contact lenses, but technology has made it possible to use contacts for vision correction even with astigmatism.

What Is Astigmatism?

• Many people first notice astigmatism as blurred vision, but it can also be the cause of headaches and eyestrain. The usual shape of the cornea is spherical. Astigmatism is a condition where the cornea is abnormally shaped, more oblong than spherical. In a non-astigmatic eye, the meridians, or the curve of the eyeball, are all equal. In an astigmatic eye, these curves vary, making it difficult for images to come into clear focus on the retina.

Correcting Astigmatism

• There are several ways to compensate for astigmatism. The easiest way is prescription glasses. Many people can also be helped by hard or soft contact lenses. A more drastic solution is refractive or LASIK surgery.

Hard Lenses and Astigmatism

• Rigid gas-permeable (or GP) lenses were once thought to be of little benefit to people afflicted with astigmatism, but time and technology have changed that. In fact, in many cases, a GP lens provides better vision correction for astigmatism than a soft lens, especially for those with severe astigmatism. GP lenses work by allowing a space between the back surface of the lens and the front of the cornea. This allows the space between the lens and the eye to collect tears, which act as a secondary lens to correct the poor vision caused by the variations in eye curvature.

  Another type of GP lens for astigmatism is a toric GP lens, which fits more closely on the eye. Since it is custom fitted for each user, it is generally more expensive but can also be more comfortable.

Soft Lenses and Astigmatism

• For those who prefer soft lenses, but suffer with astigmatism, much progress has been made in recent years. The newest toric soft lenses are easier for many people to wear than GP lenses, are often disposable and often improve vision as well as GP lenses except in the most severe cases of astigmatism. Variations in the thickness of the lens helps anchor the lens meridians and keep the lens in place, ensuring crisp, sharp vision at all times.

Caring for Your Lenses

• Whether you choose hard or soft lenses for your astigmatism, there are important steps you must take to ensure healthy eyes: Always wash your hands with soap and dry them with a lint-free cloth before handling your lenses; take your eye care provider's advice on lens care products (they will know what will work best with the lenses you choose); consult your doctor if you experience any discomfort while wearing your lenses.