Q: Can you wear regular contact lenses if you have astigmatism? A: No, if you have astigmatism, it's essential that you wear specialized contact lenses because your condition can worsen if not. Regular contact lenses do not cover your cornea's entirety, which will impair your ability to see even further.
In short – yes. However, it is important to note that a standard soft lens may not be suitable for individuals with moderate (0.75 to 2.5 dioptres) to high (More than 2.5 dioptres) astigmatism, as the lenses are too soft and malleable and may slide out when placed on the eye.
Eyeglasses for astigmatism include a special cylindrical lens to compensate for how light passes through the cornea. Generally, a single-vision lens is prescribed, but in some patients over 40 years old, an eye doctor might recommend a bifocal or progressive.
Astigmatism is caused by the shape of the eye's cornea or lens, and glasses can't change those. However, wearing glasses with an incorrect astigmatism prescription can cause other problems, including blurry vision, eye strain and headaches.
A rare condition known as keratoconus, in which the cornea thins and becomes cone-shaped, can also result in severe astigmatism. This condition cannot be corrected with glasses, and has to be treated by the pressure of contact lenses. In some cases, patients with keratoconus must undergo a corneal transplant.
For these reasons, toric lenses are the go-to for people with astigmatism. Some of the best, most trusted brands include Acuvue, Focus Dailies and Biofinity. Because of their irregular shapes and the need for them to be properly fitted, toric lenses are more expensive than regular ones. Prices range from $400 to $1200.
Flatter frames are better for astigmatism. Wraparound or curved frames can bend the light in a way that distorts your vision. Also, be sure to choose a frame that sits securely on the bridge of your nose to keep your vision clear and in focus.
Astigmatism frequently worsens with age. Your cornea can become more irregular due to pressure from your eyelids as they lose muscle tone. Astigmatism generally stays stable until your turn 50. After then, your lens curvature progressively worsens each decade.
Can astigmatism go away on its own? Astigmatism will not go away on its own. It will either stay the same or get worse with age. While this reality can seem daunting, the good news is that it can be easily corrected.
Your eye care specialist will measure any changes in your eye during future eye exams. Astigmatism can change over time and get worse, so you might need glasses or contacts eventually, even if you don't at first.
If your cornea has a spherical shape, astigmatism contacts may be uncomfortable on your eyes, which can make you more likely to remove the lenses. (And remember that inserting and removing contacts without sanitizing them can cause eye infections.) Wearing the wrong contact lens can cause problems with your vision.
If left untreated, astigmatism may cause eyestrain, headaches, and blurry vision. If you have astigmatism you may not see objects in the distance or near without some form of distortion.
Rigid contact lenses may occasionally mold the cornea (the clear front window of the eye) with a resulting change (usually a reduction) in astigmatism, but this molding is not permanent, and the eye returns to its original state if contact lens wear is discontinued.
Toric Lenses for Astigmatism
This makes it hard for traditional contact lenses to fit and therefore requires specialized contact lenses such as toric lenses or rigid gas permeable lenses (RGPs). Toric contact lenses are designed to correct astigmatism and custom made to fit the eye of the patient.
More than 2.5 dioptres of astigmatism is considered high. If this is you, you may need a custom-made toric contact lens to correct your vision.
The risk of astigmatism increased with both the total years of exposure and the average daily duration of screen exposure. Our findings suggested that preschoolers who were exposed to screens during early life might have an increased risk of astigmatism.
Does astigmatism affect night driving? Driving at night is difficult enough for those with perfect vision — but for people with astigmatism, it can be even more difficult. In low light conditions, the blurry vision associated with astigmatism can become worse.
Astigmatism is a common visual impairment for which many veterans may not realize they could collect disability compensation.
Worsening astigmatism can be treated with corrective lenses and surgical procedures like LASIK or lense replacement. Talk to your doctor to find the best option for you.
Astigmatism can distort lights in several ways, and instead of a clear image, you might see: Streaky lights. Haloed lights. Blurry lights.
How common is astigmatism? Astigmatism is a common refractive error, occurring in about 1 in 3 of all people. Astigmatism is often present at birth but it can also develop over time, and most often occurs with myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness).
Most times astigmatism is not a serious eye condition, but causes eye strain and fatigue – impacting school and office performances. However, astigmatism can sometimes hide a sight-threatening eye condition. Astigmatism, like myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness), is a common refractive error.
Simply put, the higher the prescription, the thicker the lens. In addition, prescriptions with moderate to high astigmatism correction often result in thicker lenses.