Your eye’s shape is specially designed to receive light coming into it. In healthy eyes, this light is processed by the retina, leading to a crisp, undistorted image. However, this doesn’t always happen, especially if you experience a condition called astigmatism. Luckily, this issue is correctable. Here's a look at the impact of astigmatism and how an eye doctor can prescribe contact lenses to restore your vision.

What Is Astigmatism?

Astigmatism is an unnatural curvature of the eye. The imperfections interfere with how light passes through the cornea—the dome-shaped front part of your eye. It enters irregularly and then passes through the lens at an incorrect angle. Eventually, it reaches the retina at the back of your eye, resulting in an altered image.

How Does It Affect Your Vision?

Astigmatism can begin at birth and is often tied to genetics. It can also develop from eye injuries or when a person reshapes their eye by regularly applying too much pressure to their eyelids.

Gradually, vision becomes blurrier and distorted as the incoming light is refracted. People may notice lights are blurry, especially while driving at night, and they often develop headaches and dry eyes from straining to see clearly.

Why Are Contact Lenses Best for Treating Astigmatism?

Eye care professionals recommend contact lenses because they sit on the surfaces of the corneas. There, they can fix the angle that light enters the eye and refracts, clearing up astigmatism-related problems. 

Soft lenses are preferred because they’re thin, flexible, and easily curved. They’re also convenient to handle and allow oxygen to pass through, ensuring your eyes don’t dry out and reduce vision quality.

If you’re in the Franklin County, MO, area and want to explore contact lenses, schedule an eye exam at Comprehensive Eye Care. Drs. Michael Korenfeld, MD, ACOS, and Matthew Lazarus, OD, lead this practice and provide a wide range of diagnostic and treatment services. They’ll carefully assess your vision and then suggest the most effective solution, such as contact lenses, eyeglasses, or surgery. The staff has also been conducting clinical trials for more than 20 years. Call (636) 390-3999 to speak with a team member about an eye exam or trial participation. Visit their website to learn about the eye conditions they treat.