Contact Lenses for Astigmatism From Kopolow & Girisgen Doctors of Optometry

Astigmatism is a defect in the eye. If you have astigmatism, your eye is distorted. Rather than having a round eyeball, yours is shaped like a football or the back of a spoon. This prevents light rays from meeting at a common focus. This causes you to see distorted images. Most people are born with astigmatism. It is also possible to develop astigmatism after an injury to the eye, an eye disease, or after surgery. Some people believe that you can develop astigmatism if you read in low light or if you sit too close to the television. These are myths.

Can People With Astigmatism Wear Contacts?
If you have astigmatism, you would be considered “hard to fit” when it comes to wearing contact lenses. Fortunately, your optometrist can find lenses to fit your eyes so that you won't need to wear your eyeglasses all the time. Depending on your condition, your eye doctor can fit you with a toric lens, GP, or a hybrid lens.

Types of Contacts Available
There are a few different types of contacts that your optometrist can fit you with. If one doesn't work or if it is uncomfortable, they may try another. The three types of contacts for astigmatism include:

• Toric Lenses: Toric lenses are the most common type used for astigmatism. Toric lenses are different from spherical soft contacts because they come in different meridians to correct nearsightedness and farsightedness. These lenses have special design features that allow them to rotate on the cornea to align correctly, allowing you to see clearly.

• Gas Permeable: Gas permeable lenses are another common lens used to treat astigmatism. These lenses are rigid, and they will hold their spherical shape, unlike soft lenses that will fit the irregular shape of your cornea. This will allow light to filter to your eye properly so that you can see clearly.

• Hybrid Lenses: Hybrid lenses are a combination of toric and gas permeable lenses. They have a central zone that is made of the same material as gas permeable lenses. This area is surrounded by a zone made of silicone to help the lens fit on the eye properly.
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If you have astigmatism and want to start wearing contacts, you should make an appointment with Kopolow & Girisgen Doctors of Optometry, your Las Vegas Optometrists. Our eye doctors can perform a contact lens exam to determine which contact lenses would best treat your astigmatism. To schedule an appointment, give us a call today.