Do You Need A Special Contact Lens For Astigmatism?

I wear contacts, and the doctor prescribed me the same power for both eyes, -6.5. No different brand, no different type – just the same power. Now, my right eye has always been worse than my left, but I didn’t think it had astigmatism. When this other doctor (I’ve never gone to her before, and won’t again – she was very quick and didn’t want to answer questions) gave me my written prescription, she never even told me I had astigmatism, so I never knew till I called back and asked.
My right eye has been getting worse recently – things are pretty blurry when I close my left eye – and I thought I’d better check this up. It isn’t the lens’ fault, I had them replaced a while ago. But I can’t read a sign w/ the right eye at 50 ft away. So do I need a different type lens? (Right now I’m wearing the Z6 brand that lasts a year.)
Thanks!

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7 Responses to “Do You Need A Special Contact Lens For Astigmatism?”

  1. jk says:

    Your presciption should have been changed at least for your right eye. If you can’t read a sign 50 feet away then there’s still a lot of room for improvement. If the doctor gave you only -6.50 and you have a significant amount of astigmatism, this will definitely cause a compromise of vision. This usually is more significant for people who are very near sighted like you. You should go to another doctor who will do a proper and unhurried refraction. ( quote that exactly to your doctor ) Tell him that the previous one did not give an accurate one. That will put him or her on her toes.
    The kind of contact lens for astigmatism is called toric contact lens. It will have to be a combination for you astigmatism and your near sightedness. It will have to be fit well because otherwise it will be moving around while you wear it. There are some trial lenses that you can ask for so you can gauge the comfort.
    Hope you get a good doctor next time.

  2. Lolla D says:

    You can get an adjusted script depending on the amount of astigmatism, altho it may be necessary to get toric lenses (they have a little wight across the axis so they sit in the correct position on your cornea!)

  3. Camping guy says:

    I have an astigmatism in my left eye and the doctor gave me toric lenses. I always use lenses that are changed every week to a month because I feel that they are better for the health of my eyes.
    You should go to a new doctor and talk to them about it and no matter how intimidated you feel by any doctor you need to speak up and ask ask questions or voice your concerns. You are your own patient advocate and some of the doctors out there could careless about us; they are here to take care of us.

  4. lisa says:

    contact lenses for astigmatism are different. you can still wear normal contact lenses if your astigmatism isnt very bad but if your eyesight is getting significantly blurry it may be time to switch. contact lenses for astigmatism adapt to the odd shape of the cornea better than regular lenses. acuvue advance for astigmatism is one of the best on the market right now.

  5. Dr.Sen says:

    Haai
    Well ure question seems to be tricky, There might be three reasons
    1) The power of the lens on ure right eye is not correct.
    2) Maybe u have a Astigmatism in the right eye, but ure wearing only regular lenses, but u need Toric Lenses for Astigmatism.
    3) Maybe ure right eye is Ambylopic
    I would suggest you to change ure eye practitioner.
    You might consider Lasik as a good option for u.
    I am a Lasik Surgeon Myself from India
    Dr.Sen
    Pranaveyecare

  6. ILoveMyS says:

    Its really depending on the amount of astigmatism you have. Sometimes when your astigmatism is under 1 diopter a contact lens fitter may compensate into a spherical prescription. It sounds like you may need a toric contact lens instead. They should never rush the contact lens fitting process, because its really trial and error. You need to get a new eye doctor and possibly a new eye exam to go along with a contact lens fitting. If you are not getting optimal visual acuity then some aspect of the lens needs to be changed :)
    check out this link, its about toric contact lenses….. very informative :)
    Hope that helps :) http://www.allaboutvision.com/contacts/t…

  7. LisaMJ74 says:

    Yes, you do. When you have an astigmatism, you eye is in the shape of a footbal and contact lenses for astigmatisms (toric lenses) are made to shape your eye. One doctor I went to just gave me regular contacts and I couldn’t wear them, things were blurry as well and I had a hard time seeing. Once I changed doctors, it was then that I was told I had an astigmatism, so I got new toric lenses and problem solved.
    Go look for a good doctor (stay away from Walmart, JcPenney, etc.) and get another exam. And don’t leave the office until they have answered all of your questions!!

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