Recently, contact lenses have been used to correct visual function in astigmatism. Consider the types of pathology, how to wear contact lenses with astigmatism, what types are, how to use and care for them.
What is astigmatism
Astigmatism is a violation of visual function. A person with a pathology does not see all objects clearly, since they do not display properly on the retina. Translated from Greek, "astigmatism" is "the lack of point focus."
Wearing lenses with astigmatism allows you not only to focus on objects, but also to avoid unpleasant symptoms in the form of doubling objects, constant squinting, quick fatigue and severe headache. Patients who do not correct the pathology are poorly seen in the evening and at night, and driving a car in this condition can lead to tragic consequences.
This eye pathology has characteristic symptoms in the form of a burning sensation in the eye area, clouding, redness of the eyeball. Along with this, vision is reduced. To clarify the diagnosis, the ophthalmologist not only conducts an external examination, but also examines the functionality of the eye on modern equipment. In the normal state, both the lens and the cornea have the shape of a sphere with a smooth and even surface. Any curvature is called astigmatism.
Types of Astigmatism
Astigmatism can be congenital or acquired. The first option has a hereditary factor, and pathology manifests itself in the first year of life. The acquired form appears most often after an eye injury, regardless of age. The disease can manifest itself as a complication after surgery or in the presence of diabetes.
Can I wear lenses for astigmatism? Yes, but first you need to determine the type of pathology, namely, which organ led to the modification of the image - the cornea or lens. Depending on this, the disease can be divided into corneal and lens. The first pathology is more complex and requires not only vision correction using optical instruments, but also laser intervention. Both varieties are more often congenital than acquired.
Astigmatism is rarely diagnosed alone, most often it goes in combination with other visual impairment. For example, with farsightedness (hyperopia) and myopia (myopia). A mixed view is also distinguished when the right eye has one pathology, and the left eye has another.
Contact lenses for astigmatism and myopia are selected depending on the degree of visual impairment.
Astigmatism also happens:
- Right and wrong. Correct astigmatism is most often inherited, and patients better see vertical objects, and the wrong one has an acquired character and appears as a result of eye trauma.
- Direct, inverse and oblique - the shape depends on the refractive power of light, the opposite is less common, but the direct and oblique form can change with age.
- Physiological and pathological - the difference in refraction to 0.5 diopters, which occurs in 85% of individuals. It is considered a physiological form of astigmatism and does not cause serious visual impairment, indicators above indicate the presence of pathology.
- Age - natural aging of the organs of vision occurs gradually after 45 years, while after 50 forms of pathology can change (often in this case, instead of lenses with astigmatism and myopia, the choice falls on glasses, solely because of their ease of use).
- Progressive - in the absence or incorrectly selected correction of the visual function of the disease, visual impairment will only worsen.
- Induced - occurs as a complication after surgery on the eye and is acquired in nature.
Astigmatism can also have varying degrees. If the refraction difference is up to 3 diopters, experts speak of the first degree of pathology, up to six diopters - the second degree, more than 6 - the most difficult third degree, which cannot be corrected by therapeutic methods.
Why choose lenses rather than glasses?
Previously, only glasses were used to correct visual function, since the lenses were quite rigid and caused significant discomfort when worn. Now on the market there are many types of optical devices that are made from soft materials, so they do not cause irritation in the eyes.
Can I wear ordinary lenses for astigmatism? Experts do not recommend this, because they are designed to correct the difference in refraction. In this case, they will be ineffective, although they can adjust the clarity of the image with farsightedness and myopia.
When choosing glasses for astigmatism, it is worth remembering about their shortcomings. They consist in the fact that they have a significant impact on the appearance of a person, not always decorating him, are subject to any mechanical impact. Also, glasses can fog up, it is impossible to engage in certain sports and so on. Recently, an increasing number of people with visual impairment choose lenses.
The benefits of contact lenses for astigmatism are as follows:
- correction of astigmatism even in the third, most difficult degree (lens astigmatism is corrected to 4.5 diopters, corneal - up to 6);
- not limited to the field of view and type of activity;
- lenses are not subject to mechanical stress and do not change the appearance of a person.
But it is worth remembering that using only lenses is not always recommended, as this can lead to oxygen starvation of the eye tissue and the development of complications. Experts recommend periodically wearing glasses and lenses and rest from them during sleep.
Types of Contact Lenses
Not sure which contact lenses you can choose for myopia and astigmatism? Then it is worth familiarizing yourself with the types of optical devices for correcting visual function.
Types of lenses:
- Material. They can be soft and hard. The first option is characterized by a high throughput of oxygen that enters the eye tissue, and it is more convenient to use them. Hard are used in the third (most powerful) stage of astigmatism, because they have better performance.
- The purpose of the correction. With astigmatism, toric lenses are used, which differ in a specific shape and high efficiency in correcting vision. Spherical models are prescribed for hyperopia and myopia, and multifocal for the treatment of presbyopia. A variety of spherical models are cylindrical.
- Duration of use. You don’t know if contact lenses can be worn with astigmatism all the time? Then it’s worth understanding that there are lenses that change daily and do not require special care. There are models that are designed to be used for only two weeks or more months, but they need to be cleaned after each use and stored in a special solution.
- Water content. It can be high (up to 70%), medium (up to 55%) and low (up to 37%). High water lenses are most comfortable to use, but quickly lose their shape. The second option is the most optimal, regardless of the time of year. If the optical elements contain a small amount of water, they will last a long time, but it is better to wear them in the cold season.
- Color. Lenses can be colorless, tinted or colored. Colorless are used for vision correction, weakly tinted - make eye color more vivid. But tinted correct vision and give a darker shade to the pupil. Colored lenses do not have a therapeutic effect, but can dramatically change eye color.
Also, for the correction of astigmatism, aspherical lenses, which have the shape of an ellipse, are used. There are also orthokeratologic lenses intended for use at night and contributing to the improvement of visual function during the day, and therapeutic lenses. The latter model is applied immediately after surgery.
Criterias of choice
Ophthalmologists are often asked if astigmatism can wear ordinary lenses. With the help of simple optical instruments for cosmetic purposes, you can only change the color of the eyes, but not improve the visual function. Such lenses are currently available to everyone, and according to statistics, more than 125 million people around the world use them regardless of purpose.
In order to choose a lens, it is worth undergoing a comprehensive examination by a specialist who will determine the nature, degree and type of pathology. For this, computer diagnostics are used.
What to consider when choosing lenses:
- visual acuity;
- how distorted the lens is;
- the presence of other diseases associated with visual function;
- corneal size;
- how comfortable a person feels in the selected lens model;
- exact location of the meridian.
Can astigmatism wear simple lenses? Such varieties include one-day models that do not require special care. They are worn only during the day, and in the evening the eyes rest. Lenses can be easily tinted and correct not only the visual function, but also make the pupil color more saturated and pronounced.
Manufacturers
Ask yourself what it is - astigmatic contact lenses, how to wear and where to buy? These questions can be answered by a specialist after a comprehensive diagnosis. Aspheric, cylindrical and toric lenses are suitable for astigmatism correction. The latter model is used most often, since it allows to improve the quality of visual function in the presence of not only this disease, but also other eye pathologies.
Most often, toric lenses are made of hydrogel. It does not violate the lipid membrane, contains a sufficient amount of oxygen, so it does not bring discomfort when worn. Lens companies such as Maxima Optics, CIBA Vision, Cooper Vision, Johnson & Johnson and Interojo stand out on the market. It is better to purchase them for the first time in a specialized store or pharmacy and only after a comprehensive examination. Also, products can be purchased on the Internet, which is a quick and convenient way.
The most popular models of astigmatic contact lenses by reviews and price:
- Biofinity Toric - distinguished by their perfect design, high oxygen permeability, low elasticity, are designed for 1 month, if used only during the day (cost about 1.5 thousand rubles).
- PureVision 2 Toric - contain a moisturizing component for easy and comfortable wearing, a large diameter for centering the cornea and clear image reproduction regardless of lighting (from 1260 rubles).
- Acuvue Oasys are two-week lenses with a moisturizing component and maximum protection. Reviews about them leave only good ones (price from 1 thousand rubles).
- Air Optix for Astigmatism is a toric lens that has a soft, smooth and stable surface, is not subject to contamination, the surface remains transparent even after a month of regular use (from 1040 rubles).
How to use lenses?
If there is a problem with vision - astigmatism, is it possible to wear lenses and is it safe for such a disease? Experts note that this is a simple, safe and effective way to correct visual function in astigmatism. But in order for optical devices to bring only benefit, it is worth knowing certain rules when using.
According to patients, such tips help to avoid many problems. The main recommendations for correcting vision with astigmatism:
- lenses are put on and removed only with clean hands, it is important to observe the rules of hygiene;
- to clean the lenses, it is worth using a special solution, do not use ordinary tap water (is it possible to wear lenses with astigmatism, and the ophthalmologist will tell you the rules and features of care and storage);
- to observe the time of using lenses, as well as the period of wearing (as a rule, they are not worn at night);
- various cosmetics or chemicals should not get on the lenses, as they can disrupt their structure;
- makeup is applied after wearing optics;
- use eye drops medicine after the lens is removed from there.
It is also important to monitor the condition of the eyes and periodically undergo examination. Also, if there is discomfort or other inconvenience, you should immediately consult a specialist.
Night and color lenses for astigmatism
You are wondering if it is possible to wear lenses for astigmatism, namely orthokeratological models? They are intended for use at night, and their principle of operation is somewhat similar to laser correction. Only such a performance should be constantly maintained, since visual impairment when wearing such optics tends to return.
The result of OK therapy lasts for 24 hours, the lenses have a special shape that acts on the cornea and changes the refractive power. It is important to adhere to regularity and wear them every night, so that during the day the quality of vision was high. As soon as a person misses some time, visual function worsens and the effectiveness of the therapeutic effect is lost.
Can I wear colored lenses for astigmatism? Specialists note that there are no color restrictions. Here you can choose the optics depending on personal preferences, from ordinary to color-changing models. But it is worthwhile to understand that multi-colored models are thicker than transparent options for correcting astigmatism. A thick layer can block the access of blood to the cornea or increase eye strain, so it can only be worn periodically, irregularly.
Care Tips
Knowing whether it is possible to wear lenses for astigmatism, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the rules for the care of optics. It depends on how long and qualitatively the product will last, without causing discomfort, but only improving visual function.
Storage and care rules:
- All lenses, regardless of the model and purpose of use, are stored in a special container in which there is a solution. It is changed daily to prevent the growth and reproduction of bacteria, which can lead to an inflammatory process in the eye.
- Before putting on the lenses, it is worth examining them, they should be intact, without damage and specks.
- Pay special attention to the choice of cosmetics - it should not crumble, because it can damage the thin structure of the lenses in the eye and lead to their clouding.
- The first few days from the start of using the lenses, you may feel some discomfort when wearing, then the eye gets used to it.
- If you buy a new case for such optics, before use it should be washed with an odorless antibacterial solution.
- Are you feeling irritated or tearing while wearing lenses? Allergic manifestations to the solution or material of their manufacture are possible. In these cases, you should contact an ophthalmologist.
- Wearing lenses can lead to increased sensitivity to sunlight, and sunglasses should be worn to minimize the effects.
Conclusion
Contact lenses with astigmatism can significantly increase the quality of visual function. It is worthwhile to approach the choice of optics thoroughly, relying on the functionality of the lenses, their variety and degree of pathology. It is also worth familiarizing yourself with the rules of use and storage. Lenses have a number of advantages over glasses, regardless of the pathology of the visual function, but in order to extend their service life, it is worth following the rules of hygiene, as well as the service life of the products.