For many, astigmatism can be a difficult thing to screen for and correct. While astigmatism seems like it’d be easy to diagnose, it’s often misconstrued for other eye conditions which cause blurriness and focusing problems at both close and far distances. Those born with astigmatism, however, often need special contact lenses to see properly.
Before visiting our optometrist in South Windsor, it’s a good idea to understand both why astigmatism requires special contacts and how contacts for astigmatism work.
Astigmatism and Eye Shape
Astigmatism is caused by an eye abnormality in which the eye’s lens or cornea’s shape are misaligned. This misaligned shape might be described as appearing like a funhouse mirror, hindering the individual’s overall focus.
Abnormal corneal shapes usually emerge at birth, but they can exist for years before treatment is required. While the shape deviation is often subtle, it’s diverse enough to make several treatment options viable. Those with astigmatism require a special prescription to correct their vision, and they often need specialized contact lenses to assure high-quality correction.
Contact Lenses for Astigmatism
People with mild astigmatism normally rely on rigid gas permeable contact lenses for vision correction. Also called GP lenses, these contacts provide sharper vision correction for astigmatism than soft lenses do. A person with astigmatism can also get hybrid contact lenses, rigid lenses which are surrounded by a soft peripheral zone.
Toric lenses are also an option for those with astigmatism. A toric contact lens is specially made to maintain its position on the eye, whereas other soft lenses may rotate on the cornea during use. This static position allows toric lenses to compensate for astigmatism.
Contact Our South Windsor Optometrist Today
If you’ve had difficulty wearing traditional soft contact lenses, or if you’re switching from eyeglasses to contacts, it’s a good idea to ask your optometrist about your prescription if you have astigmatism in either of your eyes. Our optometrist at Prudhomme Vision here in South Windsor can make all the difference, fitting you for the GP or hybrid lens needed to improve your vision.
Once your eyes have been tested, we’ll give you a list of contact lens options to choose from in order to correct your vision. Even if you’d like to keep wearing your eyeglasses, we can help you pick out the perfect brand of specialized contact lenses suitable for day-to-day wear. To make an appointment, call us at Prudhomme Vision in South Windsor, CT, at (860) 644-3364 today.