The Ultimate Guide To Choosing the Best Contact Lenses for Astigmatism
If you have refractive errors like astigmatism, prescription glasses can correct the problem, however, they’re restrictive, especially for people who lead an active lifestyle. Glasses also alter a person’s natural look. In such cases, contact lenses are a better alternative. Below is a guide on choosing the best contacts for astigmatism, definitions, and more.
What is Astigmatism?
The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) defines astigmatism as an eye condition characterized by an imperfect curvature of the eye’s cornea or lens. A normal healthy eye is evenly rounded. With astigmatism, the eye shape is oval like an egg. The curvature can make the eye wider (horizontal astigmatism) or taller (vertical astigmatism)¹.
Can Astigmatism Be Corrected By Contact Lenses?
Yes! However, regular spherical contact lenses won’t correct astigmatism. The contact lens design needs to assume a specific shape and technology to correct the astigmatic vision caused by the irregularly shaped cornea. The lens also needs to have different corrective powers (in different meridians) to neutralize the astigmatism and offer clear vision.
Most importantly, your Optometrists must fit and align the lenses to match your contact lens prescription for perfect visual activity. It’s worth noting that different manufacturers have different complex designs and technology for making contact lenses for astigmatism.
We recommend you book a contact lens fitting exam to ensure you get the correct contact lenses for your lifestyle and visual needs.
Can You Wear Contacts with Astigmatism?
Yes! However, your eye prescription must require correction for astigmatism and the contact lenses need to be fitted properly by an eye care professional.
Best Contact Lens for Astigmatism
Let’s take a closer look at your best contact lens options for astigmatism.
1. Soft Toric Lenses
Toric contact lenses are the most commonly prescribed contacts for correcting moderate astigmatism. As the name suggests, the soft contact lenses feature a soft and flexible material design capable of correcting corneas that have a slightly irregular shape².
2. Daily Contact Lens for Astigmatism
The best contacts for astigmatism can also be categorized based on how long they are meant to be worn i.e., daily, bi-weekly, or monthly wear. Daily contact lenses are the healthiest as they can be thrown away after each wear and can be used for 6-8+ hours. Furthermore, daily contacts can be categorized based on factors like brand, price, and type.
3. Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Contact Lenses
As the name suggests, RPG lenses are more rigid making them capable of correcting more severe irregularities. RGP lenses are made of a firm oxygen permeable plastic that maintains its shape when worn, offering stable optical vision while correcting irregularly shaped corneas.These lenses require a specialty contact lens fitting.
Premium Daily Disposable for Astigmatism
Here are our top three picks of premium daily disposable contacts for astigmatism:
1. Acuvue Oasys 1 Day for Astigmatism
These contacts are designed with superior HydraLuxe technology that ensures your eyes never feel tired. They also offer clear and stable vision throughout the day regardless of your physical activity levels. What’s more, they have the highest UV protection levels of all contact lenses available today.
2. MyDay Toric
MyDay daily contacts for moderate astigmatism offer everything required for a great daily disposable lens experience: unmatched comfort, easy insertion/removal, and breathable contact lenses that you’ll forget you have on until it’s time to remove.
3. DT1 for Astigmatism (Dailies Total 1)
These contacts are among the first (if not the only) water gradient contacts lenses. They offer exceptional comfort and seamless vision. Visit us to experience the best comfort and receive a trial pair of contact lenses.
Mid-Tier Daily Disposable for Astigmatism
For more affordable, but equally good daily disposable contacts for astigmatism, consider our picks below:
1. Acuvue Moist for Astigmatism
Acuvue contacts offer blink-stabilized technology, which provides 4 stability zones that naturally realign with every blink for consistent, clear and stable vision that is resistant to the effects of gravity or head tilts. This design has a prism-free optic zone, which avoids vertical prism disparity challenges, such as headaches and discomfort for monocular astigmats. The contacts also offer a minimal lower lid interaction, which helps support patient comfort and minimize unwanted rotation. Finally, blink-stabilized design provides hassle-free insertion since the lens cannot be inserted upside down with its horizontal and vertical symmetry. Overall, they’re a perfect combination of comfort and convenience.
2. Clariti Toric
The Clariti Toric contact lenses are amazingly affordable contact lenses for astigmatism. They also offer excellent optical performance and a healthy comfortable wearing experience thanks to their high oxygen transmission.
3. Biotrue® ONEday for Astigmatism
Enjoy nearly 100% moisture retention all day (up to 16 hours) with these contact lenses. Other pros include UV protection and reduced halos and glare.
4. Precision1 for Astigmatism
Besides affordability, these lenses have an 80% moisture retention rate. They’re also easy to wear and comfortable.
Entry Tier Daily Disposable
Looking to start trying out the most affordable daily disposable contact lenses for astigmatism? Try our two picks below:
1. Dailies Aqua Comfort Plus (ACP) for Astigmatism
You can try these toric lenses out for their consistent and clear vision as well as blink-activated moisture technology. They are also easy to handle for insertion and removal.
2. SofLens® daily disposable for Astigmatism
These entry-level contacts stand out for their high-definition optics and unmatched comfort because of the patented Lo-Torque design keeps SofLens® Toric Contact Lenses for Astigmatism exceptionally stable during wear, and the advanced optics correct astigmatism by refocusing light to a single point for sharp, clear vision. The SofLens® Toric Contact Lenses for Astigmatism has a unique design that is exceptionally easy to wear. It provides clear vision and exceptional comfort consistently from lens to lens.
Two-Week Disposable Lenses for Astigmatism
For those who want contacts you can stay with for slightly longer (two weeks), here’s our top pick:
1. Acuvue Oasys (AVO) for Astigmatism
These contacts offer unmatched comfort and stable clear vision all day regardless of activity levels or eye/head movements because of the BLINK STABILIZED® Design. Enjoy superior UV protection and ultra-comfort even when blinking. These lenses offer the perfect balance between comfort and visual stability with their invisible edge technology and Hydraclear technology that maintains hydration throughout.
Monthly Multifocal contact lenses for Astigmatism
If you have both astigmatism and age-related farsightedness (presbyopia), you need multifocal contacts. Here are our top picks for monthly disposable lenses for astigmatism in entry-tier, mid-tier, and premium categories:
Entry Tier Monthly Multifocal Lenses
Proclear® Multifocal (MF) Toric are perfect for their amazing binocular visual acuity regardless of distance. They also address discomfort caused by dry eyes
Mid-Tier Monthly Multifocal Lenses
Biofinity Multifocal Toric offers excellent crisp and clear vision regardless of distance. These Biofinity multifocals offer all the oxygen needed for maximum comfort throughout for individuals who lead busy lifestyles.
Premium Monthly Multifocal Lenses
Ultra® Multifocal for Astigmatism are top-tier by optimizing for seven biometric benefits including pupil size, which offers unmatched fit, comfort, and vision clarity.
Monthly Contact Lenses for Astigmatism
If you’re interested to wear and change your contact lenses monthly, here are our top picks for top, mid, and entry-level tiers;
Premium Monthly Disposable Lenses for Astigmatism
a. Vita for Astigmatism
These contacts featuring HydraMax Technology are perfect for those who want a full month of clear and comfortable astigmatism lenses. The lenses also have the blink-stabilized design.
b. Ultra for Astigmatism
These contacts stand out for their MoistureSeal technology that maintains 95% moisture for an entire day offering unmatched comfort throughout the entire month.
c. TOTAL 30 for Astigmatism
These contacts offer exceptional clarity and stable vision. They also offer great comfort with their superior moisture retention.
Mid-tier Monthly Disposable Lenses for Astigmatism
For more affordable monthly contacts, consider the ones below:
a. Biofinity Toric
Enjoy excellent vision and a comfortable lens-wearing experience at a budget. These lenses feature Aquaform Technology that locks in water offering incredible comfort throughout the month.
b. Biofinity Toric XR (Extended Range)
Another option that is perfect for over 95% of patients with higher degrees of astigmatism. The contacts have Aquaform Technology as well as Aberration Neutralizing technology, which enhances vision by reducing spherical aberrations.
c. Serenity Toric
These contacts are great because they’re naturally and uniformly wettable offering a higher standard of comfort. They also feature Optimized Toric Lens Geometry offering excellent vision stability throughout the month.
d. Air Optix for Astigmatism plus Hydraglyde
Air Optix for astigmatism with hydraglyde technology offers stable consistent vision. They also offer month-long comfort.
Entry Tier Monthly Disposable Lenses for Astigmatism
If you just want to try out monthly disposable contact lenses, we have two excellent and budget-friendly options:
a. Proclear Toric
These contacts will remain moist and comfortable throughout the day. They also come in a wide range of options offering prescription versatility.
b. Proclear Toric XR (Extended Range)
If you have a higher degree of astigmatism, the Proclear Toric XR are good entry-level contact lenses to consider.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there is no lack of great contact lens options for astigmatism. From the above list, you can’t miss a pair of contacts that will serve you perfectly. However, we strongly advise against buying contacts online before getting recommendations and a custom contact lens prescription and fitting from an optometrist or eye care professional. Given the seriousness of eye conditions like astigmatism, we recommend that you schedule a contact lens exam and fitting first with our experienced optometrists.
Avoid common risks like eye strain and distorted vision suffered by contact lens wearers who don’t seek professional help when buying different types of contacts for astigmatism.
Buy Contact Lenses for Astigmatism at Kodak Lens Vision Centres
You can get a comprehensive eye exam and buy contact lenses for astigmatism in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area at Kodak Lens Vision Centres in seven locations.
Ask us any questions on contact lenses for astigmatism, best daily or monthly contacts, best contact lens brands, coloured contact lenses, hybrid contact lenses, contact lens care tips, pricing, buying contacts online, warranties, our free shipping and more. Book your contact lens fitting appointment today and learn more about contact lenses.