Back when contact lenses were produced through crude technology, not all patients with eye defects get to use contacts. Years before contacts for astigmatism sufferers were limited. They were prohibited from using soft contacts lenses. They were only prescribed with the basic toric contact lens. Toric lens had no such varieties as disposable, multifocal or colored contacts. But with the advancement in lens technology, people with astigmatism can now be prescribed a wide-ranged of toric lens.
To aid your discussion with an optometrist, we suggest you read through the current list of contacts available for your eye condition.
Toric Contacts
Toric contact lenses regardless of its variety (soft or toric gas permeable) need some serious and careful examination of the optometrist. Fitting the lens demands higher expertise than when spherical contacts are used. This contact is also considerably costly.
Choices for Mild Astigmatism Sufferers
For those with astigmatism whose eye defect is not greater than 1.00 diopter, you still have several options available. You would do fine whether the lens is spherical gas permeable or spherical soft. These types of lenses have no power yet they can correct the vision of those with mild astigmatism because of the material it is made from. They are made from firm plastics that do not conform to the curvatures found on upper surface layer of the cornea. Instead, they hover above those curves improving vision.
Another alternative would be soft contact lenses. They can stand small amounts of astigmatism but vision clarity may not be that much.
Choices for High Astigmatism Sufferers
For those with high astigmatism, spherical gas permeable lenses may work but there is an issue with comfort. A more comfortable alternative is to get toric gas permeable contacts.
Color, Disposable or Multifocal?
The market is seeing an explosion of contact lenses brands. Among those leading in the technology is Acuvue which released several products. Their latest lines of soft toric lenses are highly-rated. They have the Acuvue Advance and the Acuvue Oasys.
Acuvue Advance comes to the fore as it offers maximum comfort. Its sensation is described silky soft from day to night. Then their latest line is the Acuvue Oasys which is the #1 most recommended contact lenses by U.S. eye specialists.
Today’s lenses are now more varied than the prototypes. Astigmatism contacts can even be colored, disposable or multi-focal. Tints on the lens can either be for eye color enhancement or to totally change the natural color. Some toric colored lenses are disposable but it some doctors may prescribe the non-disposable types with a certain replacement schedule.
Lastly, there are multifocal toric lenses available and are good for astigmatism and presbyopia correction. Most of this type of lens is non-disposable. There are soft toric multifocal bands, but RPG lens are preferred over the former.
As you can see there are many types of contacts for astigmatism sufferers. If the patient is tired of wearing glasses, they have now options to free themselves from the unconventionality of glasses.