EYE PROBLEMS

While many people have found that their eyesight simply gets less and less sharp as time goes on, still others are diagnosed with a condition known as astigmatism. This condition essentially means that the eye is not shaped traditionally, and has a different shape which can result in slight eyesight problems. For years, people with astigmatism were told that they could not wear contact lenses. Luckily in recent years, scientists have developed some contact lenses for people with astigmatism that work just like contacts for people who do not have the condition. The term for this type of contact is called toric lenses. People were also told at one time that disposable and color lenses were not available either. Fortunately this problem has now been resolved, and people can wear both soft and hard gas permeable lenses when they have been diagnosed with astigmatism. In addition, since this problem causes the eyes to be misshapen, the toric lenses also have a special device that helps to keep them in place on the eyes so they will not suddenly pop out or fall off. This kind of lens cannot rotate around because of the special needs of eyes that have astigmatism, so if you have been diagnosed, it's very important that this is mentioned to the eye doctor. An eye exam for contact lenses for astigmatism may be somewhat more expensive than a traditional contact lens exam. This is mostly because the doctor will have to take extra special care and time in fitting the eye properly since it is shaped a little differently than a “regular” eye.

Once you have received the right prescription for your contact lenses for astigmatism, it is time to pick out the pair that will suit you best. It was once thought that people with this condition were doomed to wear glasses for all eternity, but fortunately that is not the case. There are many different brands of toric contact lenses out there that will suit people with astigmatism. There are many different colors to pick from, and soft and hard lenses are available. Not all manufacturers yet make these contact lenses for astigmatism, so be sure you use the word “toric” in your search to ensure you're getting the right kind. Your eye doctor can also help guide you in the contact lens search process, and most will already have some lenses there that will fit your requirements. There are also disposable contacts for astigmatism as well, which can really help to make life easier. Be sure to always emphasize your condition before any eye exam, and before buying any lenses. That way, it is clear that your eyes have special needs and they must be fitted with the proper type of contact lenses. You may want to try both soft and hard gas permeable lenses, and see which kind will be best for you. A lot of patients with astigmatism find that the harder lenses suit them better, simply because they maintain their shape better. This helps to prevent the contact lenses from falling off or coming out of the eye which can result in a costly mistake. Be sure you know which kind of lenses are available for your particular prescription, and get ready to enjoy glasses-free living!