Contact lenses for astigmatism

Too often, people mistakenly believe they can't wear contact lenses because they have astigmatism. The truth is, today there are plenty of excellent options for correcting astigmatism with contact lenses.

The best types of contact lenses for people with mild astigmatism often are either RGP (also called GP lenses) , hybrid contact lenses (lenses with a GP center surrounded by a soft peripheral zone) or soft lens torics.

Both GP and hybrid contacts often provide sharper vision for mild astigmatism than soft lenses. If you are highly motivated to wear contact lenses, I encourage you to visit an eye doctor who specializes in fitting these lenses for a consultation.

Here are the main types of contact lenses for astigmatism:

Toric contact lenses (soft)

The term TORIC SOFT usually is used to describe soft contact lenses that are designed to correct astigmatism.

These toric contacts for astigmatism are made either of a conventional hydrogel material or a highly breathable silicone material.

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Toric soft contact lenses for astigmatism differ from regular ("spherical") soft contacts that correct only myopia or hyperopia in two important ways:

1. Toric lenses have different powers in different meridians of the lens to correct the varying amount of nearsightedness or farsightedness in different meridians of the eye that characterizes astigmatism.

2. Toric lenses have a design feature that enables the lens to rotate to the proper orientation on the corneal surface so the power meridians of the lens align with the appropriate meridians of the eye for clear vision.

Because every eye with astigmatism is unique, it can take more than one pair of soft toric contact lenses to find the brand and design that provides the best fit, comfort and visual acuity.

Also, fitting toric contact lenses for astigmatism takes more expertise than fitting regular soft lenses. For these reasons, getting fitted with toric contact lenses typically costs more than a regular contact lens exam and fitting.

Because they have a more complex design, the cost of replacement toric contact lenses is higher than the cost of regular (spherical) soft contacts. The difference in cost will depend on the lens design, lens material, and where you purchase them.

Gas permeable contact lenses

Rigid gas permeable contact lenses (also called RGP or GP contact lenses) are another popular type of contact lenses for astigmatism correction.

In most cases, GP contact lenses can correct astigmatism without a toric design. This is possible because gas permeable lenses are rigid and retain their spherical shape on the eye, instead of conforming to the irregular shape of the cornea of an eye with astigmatism like soft lenses do.

The uniform front surface of the GP contact lens, in effect, replaces the misshapen cornea as the primary refracting (light-bending) surface of the eye, thereby correcting astigmatism without the need to control rotation of the lens with a toric design.

However, for higher amounts or unusual types of astigmatism, there also are gas permeable contact lenses for astigmatism that feature toric designs. In most cases, though, standard GP lenses correct astigmatism very well without the need for a toric design.

Another option is special large-diameter gas permeable contacts called scleral lenses, which provide excellent astigmatism correction even in cases of highly irregular corneal surfaces.

Many people with astigmatism who choose to be fitted with gas permeable contacts find their vision is noticeably sharper with RGP lenses than with toric soft contact lenses. But due to the rigid nature and thicker profile of gas permeable contacts, these lenses typically take more time to adapt to, and some people who try them simply cannot get accustomed to the sensation of GP lenses on their eyes.

Generally, fitting gas permeable contact lenses takes more time and expertise than fitting soft contact lenses (including toric soft lenses). And each RGP contact lens is custom-made to parameters specified by the prescribing eye care professional. For these reasons, getting fitted with gas permeable lenses typically costs more than getting fitted with soft lenses. The cost of purchasing replacement GP lenses is higher, too.

Hybrid contact lenses

For some people who need contacts for astigmatism, hybrid contact lenses are the best choice. These lenses have a central zone made of a rigid gas permeable lens material, surrounded by a fitting zone (or "skirt") made of a soft hydrogel or silicone hydrogel material.

When successfully fitted, hybrid contact lenses provide the best of both types of contact lenses for astigmatism — the very sharp vision of GP lenses and comfort that's comparable to wearing toric soft lenses.

And because hybrid contact lenses are about the same size as hydrogel and silicone hydrogel lenses (significantly larger in diameter than GP lenses) and have thinner edges than gas permeable lenses, there is less risk of hybrid lenses being dislodged from the eyes during sports and other activities.

Fitting hybrid contact lenses — like fitting gas permeable contacts — takes more time and expertise than fitting soft contact lenses. And, like GP contacts, these lenses are custom-made for each wearer's eyes.

Hybrid contact lens fittings and lens replacements are comparable in cost with those of rigid gas permeable lenses (in other words, more expensive than soft lenses). But like GP lenses, hybrid contacts don't need to be replaced as frequently as soft contacts, making lens replacement costs more comparable to those of soft lenses over time.

Specialty contacts for astigmatism

Not long ago, the availability of soft contact lenses for astigmatism — especially soft lenses designed to correct high amounts or unusual types of astigmatism — was quite limited. Not any more. Biotrue and Proclear have created any innovative lenses.

Today, there are many brands and styles of toric soft lenses for astigmatism that are available in designs and materials for monthly, biweekly and even daily replacement.

There also are toric bifocals that correct both astigmatism and presbyopia.

See an eye doctor

If you have astigmatism and want to wear contact lenses, visit an OD or MD who specializes in fitting contact lenses for astigmatism.

During a Eye exam and contact lens evaluation & consultation, your doctor can advise you whether you are a good candidate for contact lens wear and which astigmatism-correcting contact lenses are best suited for your specific needs.