Astigmatism Contacts

Published on March 10, 2011

Rigid Gas Permeable
Rigid gas permeable contact lenses are the most common contact lens used in correcting severe cases of astigmatism. They work by reshaping and holding the cornea in place. Unlike soft contact lenses, they can be uncomfortable because they are made of hard plastic that forces the eye to remain in shape rather than the soft lenses that movie and glide with the natural shape of the eye.

Soft Toric Lenses
Soft toric lenses are flexible lenses with special features for astigmatic eyes that normal soft lenses do not have. These lenses are much more comfortable than gas permeable lenses. Like regular soft contact lenses, soft toric lenses are available in extended wear and disposable varieties.

One issue that may occur with this type of lens is that the vision may fluctuate when the lens moves in the eye. This bothers some people and they may prefer the rigid gas permeable lenses that keep the vision steady.

Only your opthalmologist can determine which type of contact lens will work best for you. If you have a complicated case of astigmatism, you may need to try several different types of contact lens before finding the right one for your eyes.

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