Choosing the Right Contact Lenses for Astigmatism: A Guide for Young Adults

Q: Choosing the Right Contact Lenses for Astigmatism: A Guide for Young Adults

Hello： 1. <br>Regarding your current vision condition, your left eye has a myopia of -4.75 diopters, and your right eye has a myopia of -4.00 diopters with astigmatism of -1.25 diopters, which does not require special treatment. <br>2. <br>The degree of astigmatism is relatively

How to choose toric contact lenses for astigmatism?

Hello Doctor, I am currently 20 years old and will be turning 21 soon.
Recently, I measured my vision and found that my left eye has a myopia of -4.75 with no astigmatism, while my right eye has a myopia of -4.00 with astigmatism of -1.25.

1.
At my age of 20, do I still need to seek treatment for astigmatism?
2.
Will my astigmatism continue to increase?
3.
For my right eye, what prescription should I use for regular contact lenses? Is it correct that I need to use -4.00 as the optical shop suggested?
4.
Do I need to wear toric contact lenses for astigmatism, or can I just use regular ones?
5.
Do I need to wear different prescriptions for my contact lenses in each eye? Should it be -4.50 for the left eye and -4.00 for the right eye?
Thank you, Doctor, for answering my questions.
🙏

La La, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2024/01/22

Dr. Gao Pilin reply Ophthalmology

Hello: 1.
Regarding your current vision condition, your left eye has a myopia of -4.75 diopters, and your right eye has a myopia of -4.00 diopters with astigmatism of -1.25 diopters, which does not require special treatment.
2.
The degree of astigmatism is relatively stable, and if there are no other eye diseases, it should remain constant for quite a long time.
3.
The astigmatism degree in your right eye is -1.25 diopters, and the suggested prescription of -4.00 diopters from the optical shop may be based on your myopia degree, plus your astigmatism, resulting in an approximate value.
Both -4.00 and -4.50 diopters are worth trying.
4.
Generally, in cases of significant astigmatism, toric contact lenses may be needed for better visual acuity.
You can try contact lenses without astigmatism correction, but if the vision is not clear, you will need to add astigmatism correction.
5.
Yes, based on the degrees you provided, your two eyes indeed require different prescriptions for contact lenses: -4.50 diopters for the left eye and -3.75 diopters with astigmatism of -1.25 diopters (or myopia of -4.00 to -4.50 diopters) for the right eye.

Reply Date: 2024/01/22

More Info

Hello! It's great that you're taking an active interest in your eye health, especially as you navigate the world of contact lenses and astigmatism. Let's address your questions one by one.

1. Do you need treatment for astigmatism at your age?
At 20 years old, it's not uncommon to have some degree of astigmatism, and many people live with it without requiring treatment. However, if your astigmatism is affecting your vision or daily activities, it may be worth discussing treatment options with an eye care professional. Treatment can include corrective lenses (glasses or contact lenses) or, in some cases, surgical options like LASIK, depending on the severity and your overall eye health.

2. Will astigmatism increase over time?
Astigmatism can change over time, especially during periods of growth or hormonal changes, which can occur in young adulthood. However, many people find that their prescription stabilizes in their late teens to early twenties. Regular eye exams are essential to monitor any changes in your vision and ensure that your prescription is up to date.

3. What prescription should you use for your right eye with regular contact lenses?
For your right eye, if you have a prescription of -4.00 for myopia and +1.25 for astigmatism, you will need a toric lens designed specifically for astigmatism. The eye care professional you consulted may have suggested a -4.00 lens for simplicity, but this would not correct the astigmatism effectively. It's crucial to get a proper fitting for toric lenses, which will take both your myopia and astigmatism into account.

4. Do you need toric contact lenses for astigmatism?
Yes, you should consider wearing toric contact lenses. These lenses are specifically designed to correct astigmatism by having different powers in different meridians of the lens. Regular spherical lenses will not adequately correct astigmatism and may lead to blurred vision or discomfort.

5. Do you need different prescriptions for each eye?
Yes, based on your provided prescriptions, you will need different prescriptions for each eye. Your left eye has a prescription of -4.75 (with no astigmatism), while your right eye has a prescription of -4.00 with +1.25 astigmatism. Therefore, your toric contact lens for the right eye will need to account for both the myopia and the astigmatism, while your left eye will require a standard lens for myopia.

Additional Considerations:
- Regular Eye Exams: It's essential to have regular eye exams to monitor your vision and ensure that your prescriptions are accurate. This is especially important if you notice any changes in your vision.

- Contact Lens Fitting: When transitioning to contact lenses, a proper fitting is crucial. This ensures comfort and optimal vision correction. Your eye care provider will help you find the right type of lenses for your specific needs.

- Lens Care: If you choose to wear contact lenses, be sure to follow proper hygiene and care instructions to avoid infections and complications.

In summary, given your current prescriptions, you will benefit from toric contact lenses for your right eye to correct astigmatism effectively. It's advisable to consult with an eye care professional who can provide personalized recommendations based on your specific vision needs. Good luck, and take care of your eye health!

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