Contact Lenses for Astigmatism

Astigmatism is a condition in which a malformation of the surface of the eye (cornea) causes blurred vision, whereas most blurred vision results from a problem with the eyeball being elongated.
It used to be that people with astigmatism couldn't use contact lenses--at least, not easily--but that has changed in recent years. If you have astigmatism, even a larger degree of astigmatism, it is quite possible to use contact lenses.
You may even be able to use soft contact lenses, thanks to the arrival of Toric lenses. Here is how to proceed if you would like to wear contact lenses.

Instructions

• 1

  Visit an optometrist. In order to get the correct prescription for your contact lenses, your optometrist will need to have a recent vision exam and also the ability to evaluate your astigmatism in order to determine whether it is in one eye or both and the degree of severity.

• 2

  Discuss your preferences with your optometrist after the exam. Your optometrist will be able to give you the most accurate information on which available options will suit your individual situation.
  Generally, if your astigmatism is average, you should be able to use soft contact lenses the same as would a person without astigmatism--you will just need to use a Toric lens. You may also be able to use rigid gas permeable lenses that are shaped to correct your astigmatism.

• 3

  Order the contact lenses you discussed with your optometrist. You may choose to do this directly through your optometrist, but it is often possible to get a better deal by using an online contact lens retailer. By law your optometrist is required to give out your prescription if you choose to get your contact lenses elsewhere, and the retailer will check with your optometrist to make sure the prescription is correct.

• 4

  Try the contact lenses to see how they feel. You may need to go through an adjustment period if you haven't worn contact lenses before, especially if you are using rigid gas permeable lenses. The adjustment period may consist of wearing the contact lenses for an increasing number of hours each day over the period of a week or more.

• 5

  Return to your optometrist for a follow up exam after you have been wearing the contact lenses regularly for some time. This gives you optometrist the ability to tweak the prescription if you have any concerns and to make sure that the contact lenses are not irritating your eyes and that they are correcting your vision to an acceptable degree.