If you have astigmatism and you don't wear contacts, then you'll be interested to hear this. Contact lenses are actually a method of correcting the condition. The cornea of a normally sighted person is spherical, but the cornea of an eye with astigmatism is more elliptical. This changes the way light enters the eye, and results in blurred vision.
Contact lenses designed to correct astigmatism, known as toric contact lenses, are constructed from the same material as regular spherical contact lenses. Toric lenses have a design that differs from that of regular lenses. Compared to regular lenses, which have the same power throughout the lens, toric lenses have two different powers; one for astigmatism, and one which addresses trouble with distance vision. Unlike regular lenses, which can freely shift and have no effect on your vision, toric lenses must stay in place. Contact lenses for astigmatism are therefore heavier on the bottom, and this helps them stay in place on your eye.
There are multiple scheduling options for toric contact lens wearers, including soft disposable contact lenses, daily disposable lenses, and frequent replacement lenses. If you prefer multifocal or even colored contact lenses, then don't worry, there are toric lenses for you. Rigid gas permeable lenses (RGP, or hard contact lenses) are made from a firmer material that keeps their form even when you blink, and sometimes give even sharper vision than soft lenses. But the downside is that they are often less comfortable. .
Toric contact lens fittings may often take up more time than regular contact lens fittings, due to the fact that these lenses are slightly more complex. Still, with constant improvements in the field of optometry, individuals with astigmatism can take advantage of the benefits of contact lenses, with many options to choose from.
