Contact Lens Options For People With Astigmatism

If you have suffered from astigmatism for a long period of time then you probably think you can't wear contact lenses. In the past eye experts warned people with astigmatism of wearing contacts. Today however, almost anyone can wear contacts. The secret to effective contact use is finding out what type works best for your eyes. While some people can wear hard lenses, others should wear soft lenses, gas permeable lenses, or toric lenses. You can visit your local eye expert to figure that out.

When someone has astigmatism, they have a refractive error in their vision. They cannot see objects clearly from afar or up close. Each eye can have a different degree of astigmatism. Astigmatism was once a little hard to deal with, but with new technology and research, experts are offering more options than ever for those suffering with this disease. While astigmatism can vary from slight blurriness to blurriness at any distance, there are options to help those who experience it. Your doctor will be able to tell you the best ways to deal with your astigmatism.

If you do have astigmatism, you may be wondering exactly how you got it. Many people think they have astigmatism because they sat too close to the television as a child or read books in dimmed light. The truth is however that astigmatism is due to an irregularly shaped cornea. Most corneas are shaped like a baseball. A cornea however that is shaped like a football is a sign of astigmatism. People do not get astigmatism from watching television or playing video games. It is typically seen from birth, although a normal amount of astigmatism may never need corrected. One thing to remember however will be that it typically gets worse as you age.

There are many options when it comes to contacts today. You can still get the traditional rigid contacts if you prefer the hard lenses. You can choose soft lenses that are non-disposable, or those that are disposable. You can also choose gas permeable lenses or lenses that are tinted. There are many brands and types to choose from. When you have astigmatism however, you probably want to choose a toric lens.

Toric lenses are special lenses that are used to correct astigmatism. They are specially designed for each person depending on the degree of that particular person's astigmatism. If you have a mild degree of astigmatism, you may be prescribed soft toric lenses. These are very comfortable to wear and can come in both disposable and non-disposable varieties. You can enjoy all of the perks of having contacts while being able to wear contacts that allow you to see better and more distinct without changing your look. While these lenses are great for people who have astigmatism and still want to try contacts, they tend to be a bit more expensive than other contact varieties. This extra cost is due to the specialty correction provided.

Toric lenses are different from other contact lenses. They have two powers within them. They are also made especially to be stable on your eye when you wear them. When you blink or look around, these "weighted"� contact lenses will not budge much. You never have to worry about them slipping "behind"� your eye, as you may have heard some people complain of. These lenses are made so they cannot rotate. They won't pop out of your eye unexpectedly either, which is common of some lenses, including hard lenses.

If you have been told years ago that you could never wear contacts because you had astigmatism, then you might want to ask your eye expert if the same is still true today. Some people who suffer from extreme astigmatism cannot wear contacts effectively, however most people with astigmatism can wear them with no problem at all. With the newest innovations, like toric lenses, astigmatism sufferers have more options than ever before. So, ask your local eye expert about your vision and see if toric lenses will work for you. You may have been living with glasses when you could be experiencing the freedom toric lenses offer you. Once you try toric lenses and see exactly what they can do for you, you will never want to put your glasses on again.