One of the most common questions we hear at our Auburn clinic is: “I have astigmatism, can I still wear contact lenses?” The answer is yes, in the vast majority of cases. The contact lenses used for astigmatism are called toric lenses, and the technology has improved significantly over the past decade to the point where most people with astigmatism can wear them comfortably.
What Is Astigmatism?
Astigmatism occurs when the cornea or the lens inside the eye has an irregular curvature, more like the side of a rugby ball than a perfect sphere. This means light entering the eye focuses at two different points rather than one, causing blur and distortion at all distances. It is very common, and it is usually present from birth or early childhood.
On your glasses prescription, astigmatism appears as the CYL (cylinder) value. If your CYL is 0.00 or blank, you have no significant astigmatism. If it shows a number such as -0.75 or -1.50, you have astigmatism in that eye.
Read more: How to Read Your Glasses Prescription
Why Standard Contact Lenses Do Not Work for Astigmatism
A standard spherical contact lens is the same power all the way around the lens. This works perfectly for correcting myopia or hyperopia, but it cannot correct astigmatism, which requires different powers in different meridians of the lens.
People with astigmatism who try standard spherical contact lenses often find that their distance vision is slightly blurry or distorted even with the best available sphere power. This is because the cylindrical component of their prescription is simply not addressed.
How Toric Contact Lenses Work
Toric lenses are designed with two different powers incorporated at specific orientations, matching the principal meridians of the astigmatism. To correct astigmatism effectively, the lens must stay in the correct rotational position on the eye. Toric lenses achieve this through a stabilisation mechanism, typically prism ballast (the lower portion of the lens is made slightly thicker and heavier) or peri-ballast design, which uses the natural blink action of the eyelids to orient the lens correctly.
Modern toric lenses stabilise very quickly in most eyes and remain consistent through blinking and eye movements.
What the Fitting Involves
Fitting toric contact lenses is more involved than fitting standard spherical lenses. At our Auburn clinic, the fitting appointment includes:
- Measurement of your corneal curvature (keratometry) and diameter to determine the base curve and size of lens required
- Trial lens fitting using your prescription parameters to assess how the lens sits and stabilises on your eye
- Assessment of lens rotation under the slit lamp to confirm the axis is aligning correctly
- Over-refraction if any fine-tuning is needed
- Insertion and removal training for new wearers
- A follow-up appointment within two weeks to review lens comfort and vision
Available Options
Toric contact lenses are available in daily, fortnightly, and monthly replacement schedules. Well-established brands include Acuvue Oasys for Astigmatism, Air Optix for Astigmatism, Clariti 1 Day Toric, and Precision1 for Astigmatism. The right choice depends on your prescription parameters, lifestyle preferences, and how your eye responds to the trial lens at fitting.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
Most people with low to moderate astigmatism (CYL up to about -2.50) are good candidates for toric contact lenses. Higher astigmatism may still be correctable with torics, though the range of parameters available becomes more limited. People with significant irregular astigmatism (such as that caused by keratoconus) may require specialty rigid gas permeable or scleral lenses rather than standard soft torics.
The best way to find out is to come in for a fitting. Many people who were told years ago that their astigmatism was too high for contact lenses find that current toric lens technology works well for them.
Book a Contact Lens Fitting in Auburn
Contact lens fittings at Prime Optometrists Auburn include trial lenses, insertion training, and a follow-up review. Book online or call us on (02) 9761 0005. We are at 43 Auburn Road, Auburn NSW 2144, open six days a week.
If you have a current glasses prescription with a CYL value and have been wondering whether contacts are an option for you, the fitting appointment will give you a clear answer.