Contact Lens for Astigmatism

Astigmatism?

I just found out I have an astigmatism and may need glasses. I know essentially what that is as was describes by the eye doctor, but what can you tell me about it? Will I need glasses to stop it from getting worse, will it get worse, can I maybe just have sometimes glasses, how much does a prescription for a mild astigmatism go... any info would be great. Thank you in advance.

Public Comments

1. I have a mild one, and its really not that big of deal...i wear contacts, and they really are not more expensive, it really depends on the brand
2. Astigmatism may or may not get worse; it is all up to what your eyes want to do. It is more likely that it will get worse than better though, but it could happen either way. Wearing glasses or, not wearing them, will not influence what your eyes do. If you have a very mild astigmatism, you are not alone: many people go on each day without it being corrected. But, if you have the opportunity to correct it, why not? It will surely make your vision crisper, and if you play sports it will help a great deal as well! A mild astigmatism is somewhere between -0.25 and -1.00. Usually -0.25 can easily go uncorrected, but anything -0.50 and above will likely make a difference in your vision. I suggest getting the correction. It will put less strain on your eyes, and the world will look much clearer to you. And if you don't like the idea of glasses, contacts can comfortably be worn by people with astigmatism too!
3. I have astigmatism in my left eye and wear glasses. Mine hasnt got any worse and the doctors dont expect it to either. Mine isnt mild - its pretty bad. I wear contact lenses too but theyre not the disposable type because they couldnt make them strong enough for my left eye. So I wear the same pair for 1-2 years and they cost about $400. Im in Australia though so dont know how much they cost elsewhere. Good luck!
4. Astigmatism is ONLY a particular version of short or long sight. Yes, if glasses improve your vision, or reduce your fatigue sufficently, their benefit will be worth the cost. But your astigmatic Rx is just as likely to change, or stay still as any other spectacle Rx. It's not a health or disease issue at all. Almost every eye has some astigmatism if you measure it accurately enough, though in most cases it's not enough to show up on an prescription. Unless the astigmatism is very marked, there's no great additional cost. Some practices do price pure sphere lenses slightly cheaper but, from there, astigmatism up to 2.00D tends to be in the "next bracket" Astigmatic (toric) *contacts* are somewhat more expensive, but that's a separate issue, mainly to do with mass-production costs rather than anything peculiar about astigmatism. (P.S. Pedantic addendum: you can't have "an" astigmatism, as it's a quantity, not an object: like milk, you can have "some" not "a" or "an". Some shortsight, not a shortsight.) Optometrist, retired.
5. Yes, glasses or contacts are mostly used for that.