Do Rigid Gas-Permeable Contact Lenses Help With Astigmatism?
Without seeing an eye doctor, it can be challenging to know the type of prescription eyewear you’ll need for astigmatism (a refractive error caused by a misshaped cornea). Having an eye exam once per year can help you stay aware of any changes in your vision and enable your optometrist to modify your prescription if necessary.
Eyeglasses are often sufficient for astigmatism. Many optometrists will provide a unique lens with extra visual coverage in some regions of it. However, contacts may be necessary if your prescription needs are high enough.
You might know that toric contact lenses can help with astigmatism, but are rigid gas-permeable contact lenses for astigmatism, too? Let’s discuss.
Are rigid gas-permeable contact lenses for astigmatism?
Rigid gas-permeable contact lenses have a semicircle exterior that imitates a standard corneal shape. This helps light infiltrate your eyes, offering exceptional coverage for astigmatism, farsightedness, and nearsightedness.
If you have keratoconus or severe issues with your cornea, rigid gas-permeable contact lenses may give you the best vision. People with presbyopia may benefit from this type of contact lens, too. Your optometrist may also suggest rigid gas-permeable toric contacts for astigmatism.
Rigid gas-permeable contact lenses are firmer than alternatives and assist with the movement of oxygen to your eyes. One of the issues most contact lens’ wearers have is that their contacts restrict oxygen, so the fact that gas-permeable contacts promote the flow of oxygen, is a huge advantage.
For astigmatism, gas-permeable contact lenses are an excellent choice. The hard lenses reduce the chances your eyewear will move out of place. They also offer the following benefits:
- Durability
- Easy insertion and removal
- Superior comfort
Even though you cannot wear normal contact lenses with astigmatism, you won’t miss them, as rigid gas-permeable contacts are a great way to correct astigmatism symptoms. It can take a couple of weeks to adjust, but rest assured that with time, your eyes will have the prescription power they need.
Is the cost of gas-permeable contact lenses worth it?
While the price of gas-permeable contacts can vary, it starts around $100. This might seem like a lot for contact lenses, but consider that these lenses can last you for a year, preventing you from needing to replace them often. Therefore, in the long term, you could end up saving money by purchasing them instead of disposable contacts.
As a bonus, you might not need to go into the eye doctor’s office for a refill. You can order contact lenses online right from our website, as long as you get a prescription from the eye doctor at your contact lens exam.
(And if you need any assistance in shopping for contact lenses or other types of eyewear, our eye care team is at your service. Call us anytime if you need help narrowing down your options. We’re here for you.)
Summary: Do rigid gas-permeable contact lenses help with astigmatism?
If you have symptoms of astigmatism, such as blurry vision, ask your eye doctor about rigid gas-permeable contact lenses at the end of your eye appointment. For severe astigmatism, gas-permeable contact lenses are a great alternative to traditional contacts, and they last a while, so you won’t need to get new ones often.
The cost of gas-permeable contact lenses is worth it, especially if you have astigmatism. Your symptoms can improve or worsen over time, and without going to the eye doctor for a regular appointment every year, they can be hard to predict.
So, protect your eyes with the best visual coverage. Try rigid gas-permeable contact lenses for astigmatism today.
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