Contact Lenses for Astigmatism

Astigmatism is a common refractive error. It occurs when there is an imperfection in the curvature of your eye that causes vision problems. A healthy eye should have one curve like a round ball. An eye with astigmatism is shaped like an egg. If you have astigmatism, it is possible also to be nearsighted or farsighted. This condition can be easily treated by the professionals at Chapel Hills Vision Clinic.

.

What Are the Symptoms of Astigmatism?

Astigmatism of often present at birth, but it can take a while before the symptoms start to show up. The symptoms include:

  • Blurry vision
  • Distorted vision
  • Eyestrain
  • Eye discomfort
  • Headaches
  • Trouble seeing at night
  • Needing the squint to see objects clearly

How Is Astigmatism Diagnosed?

This condition can be easily diagnosed during your annual eye exam. Your optometrist will perform a visual acuity test and a dilated eye exam, which will allow them to detect the signs of astigmatism.

What Are the Best Contact Lenses for Astigmatism?

Correction is necessary to see clearly if you have astigmatism. If you prefer contacts to eyeglasses, you won't be able to wear conventional spherical lenses. Fortunately, there are contact lenses that are designed to treat astigmatism. 

  • Toric lenses: If you want to go with a soft lens, you can go with a toric lens. Spherical lenses have the same power in all areas, so it doesn't matter if the lenses rotate when you blink. The power of toric lenses varies by meridian, which means that they need to remain stable if you are going to see correctly. 
  • Other types of toric lenses: If you have astigmatism and want to change the color of your eyes, you can try colored toric lenses. If you have presbyopia, you can go with a bifocal, toric lens. You can also go with an extended wear toric lens that can be worn for 30 days straight without needing to remove them. 
  • Gas-permeable lenses: Gas permeable lenses are rigid. They are capable of correcting astigmatism without a toric design. This is because the rigid texture helps then to remain their shape while on the eye, rather than trying to conform to our oddly shaped cornea. Many people who choose gas-permeable lenses report having sharper vision than what they were able to get with a toric lens. 
  • Hybrid contact lenses: Hybrid contact lenses are a combination of gas-permeable lenses and soft contact lenses. The central zone of the lens is rigid, and the surrounding area is made of either soft hydrogel or silicone hydrogel. These lenses are common for people who have trouble getting used to gas-permeable lenses. 

If you have astigmatism and want to wear contacts, schedule an appointment with Chapel Hills Vision Clinic in Colorado Springs. Our optometrist can fit you with the best contact lenses to treat your condition. You can call us at (719) 599-5083 to schedule an appointment today!

Location

Find us on the map

Hours of Operation

Monday

7:30 am - 5:30 pm

Tuesday

7:30 am - 5:30 pm

Wednesday

7:30 am - 5:30 pm

Thursday

7:30 am - 5:30 pm

Friday

7:30 am - 5:30 pm

Saturday

8:00 AM - 12:00 pm

Sunday

Closed

Monday
7:30 am - 5:30 pm
Tuesday
7:30 am - 5:30 pm
Wednesday
7:30 am - 5:30 pm
Thursday
7:30 am - 5:30 pm
Friday
7:30 am - 5:30 pm
Saturday
8:00 AM - 12:00 pm
Sunday
Closed