Astigmatism is a common refractive error that affects how the cornea or lens bends light to the retina. There are many types of contact lenses for correcting refractive errors, including astigmatism. People with astigmatism require unique contacts – known as toric contacts to correct their astigmatism.
This guide will examine the 8 best contacts for astigmatism available to help you make an informed decision when ordering your contact lens.
The 8 Best Contact Lenses for Astigmatism
You can enjoy clear vision if you have astigmatism by getting the right contact lenses. People with
mild astigmatism
may not need correction or find regular contacts adequate for correcting their vision. We have
compiled a list of
the 8 best contact lenses for astigmatism to help people with varying degrees of astigmatism improve
their
vision.
All the contact lenses on our list are excellent and are ranked based on their popularity.
Acuvue Oasys for Astigmatism
Acuvue Oasys for Astigmatism features HYDRACLEAR technology inspired by the human tear film and mimics its mucin layer to keep your eyes hydrated. It features blink stabilization technology which harnesses the power of the natural eyelid movement to align and stabilize the lens resulting in clear, stable vision and UV blocking technology to protect your eyes from the sun’s rays.
Acuvue Oasys for Astigmatism
1-Day Acuvue Moist for Astigmatism
1-Day Acuvue Moist for Astigmatism contacts offers convenience and stability with its blink stabilized design that takes advantage of the natural power of your blinking eyelid to provide clear, stable vision. It employs LACREON technology with an embedded wetting agent to create a long-lasting moisture cushion.
1-Day Acuvue Moist also offers the highest level of UV protection available in daily disposable contacts.
1-Day Acuvue Moist for Astigmatism 90 Pack
Biofinity Toric
Biofinity Toric is designed with Optimized Toric Lens Geometry to ensure contact lens stability and minimal lens movement. Its Aquaform technology helps it lock in moisture, keeping your eyes hydrated and allowing the free flow of oxygen for healthy, white eyes.
This toric contact also has smooth rounded edges that minimize lens-eyelid interaction for enhanced comfort.
Biofinity Toric 6 Pack
Proclear Toric XR
Proclear Toric is an extended range soft toric contact lens that provides exceptional comfort and hydration. It employs PC technology that creates a unique material containing phosphorylcholine (PC) molecules found naturally in human cell membranes. These molecules surround themselves with water, keeping your eyes moist and comfortable.
Proclear Toric XR has an extended range of powers that makes it ideal for individuals with high astigmatism.
Proclear Toric XR 6 Pack
Air Optix Hydraglyde for Astigmatism
Air Optix Hydraglyde for Astigmatism is a monthly contact that uses SmartShield Technology to provide high comfort with its ultra-thin protective layer that shields the lenses from irritating deposits. The Hydraglyde Moisture Matrix attracts and retains lens surface moisture for a comfortable wearing experience throughout the month.
Air Optix HydraGlyde for Astigmatism 6 Pack
Bausch and Lomb Ultra for Astigmatism
Bausch and Lomb Ultra for Astigmatism provides all-day comfort and consistently clear vision using the revolutionary MoistureSeal technology, which maintains 95% of lens moisture for a full 16 hours. Its innovative OpticAlign design keeps your vision stable and has a spherical aberration control optimized in both axes to help reduce halos and glare.
Bausch and Lomb Ultra for Astigmatism 6 Pack
Biotrue ONEday for Astigmatism
Biotrue ONEday for Astigmatism is inspired by the eye’s biology to maintain clear vision throughout the day. This contact lens is designed to work with natural blink patterns for maximum hydration, provide UV protection, and reduce halos and glares.
Biotrue ONEday for Astigmatism 90 Pack
Best Contacts for Astigmatism and Dry Eyes
Dry eye is a common condition that happens when the eye is not producing enough tears to keep it hydrated and clean. The tear-producing film can become inflamed or compromised, making it unable to produce adequate lubrication. It is an uncomfortable condition that can cause blurred vision, redness, photophobia, and a stinging, burning sensation. Contacts lenses that do not retain moisture can cause or worsen dry eyes.
If you have astigmatism with dry eyes, you need a contact lens that provides increased hydration or a disposable contact that avoids deposit buildup, which can worsen dryness. Our top pick for best contacts for astigmatism and dry eyes is: Acuvue Oasys for Astigmatism
Acuvue Oasys for Astigmatism combines HYDRACLEAR technology, blink stabilized design and
enhanced UV protection to keep your eyes hydrated even in dusty or dry environments, making them
perfect for astigmatism with dry eyes.
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Best Daily Contacts for Astigmatism
Daily contacts are convenient, easy to use, and spare you the hassle of going through a contact care routine. They carry a lower risk of bacterial buildup and infection since they are discarded at the end of each use. Daily contacts also provide that fresh feeling each time you put on a new pair. Our choice for the best daily contacts for astigmatism is: 1-Day Acuvue Moist for Astigmatism
1-day Acuvue Moist is a daily disposable that uses blink stabilization to provide stable, clear
vision and LACREON
technology to keep the eyes hydrated all day. It also offers high-level UV protection, and you get
to enjoy that
fresh feeling each time you put on your contacts.
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Best Extended Wear Contacts for Astigmatism
Extended wear contacts are contact lenses that you can wear continuously for up to 30 straight days. They are ideal for people with unpredictable schedules or very poor vision. They are thinner than regular lenses to allow oxygen flow into the eyes since they are worn for long periods.
Most extended wear contacts are recommended for seven days of continuous wear. A doctor will evaluate your eyes tolerance for continuous contact wear before telling you how long you can use an extended wear contact.
Our pick for the best extended wear contacts for astigmatism is: Biofinity Toric XR 6Pack
Biofinity Toric XR can be worn continuously for six days and seven
nights, with its
extended range making it suitable for virtually anyone with astigmatism. It employs Aquaform
technology for optimal
moisture and oxygen flow, keeping the eyes hydrated and healthy. It also uses Optimized Toric Lens
Geometry to
provide consistent visual acuity, lens stability, fit, and comfort.
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Best Monthly Contacts for Astigmatism
Monthly contacts are contact lenses you can wear for up to a month before discarding them. Since you’ll be wearing these lenses for 30 days, you have to remove and clean them each night before you go to bed.
Monthly contacts are durable, eco-friendly, and cheaper upfront than other lens types. Monthly contact lens users must adopt a strict contact care routine to prevent deposit buildup and infection.
Our selection for the best monthly contacts for astigmatism is: Biofinity Toric
Biofinity Toric employs Aquaform technology for maximum oxygen
permeability and
keeps the eyes hydrated. Its smooth rounded edges keep your eyes comfortable by minimizing eyelid
interaction, and
the Optimized Toric Lens Geometry ensures clear visual acuity.
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What Is Astigmatism?
Astigmatism is a refractive error caused by the irregular curvature of the cornea or lens. It often comes together with far or nearsightedness. You have corneal astigmatism if it is caused by a distortion in the shape of your cornea, while lenticular astigmatism occurs with an uneven lens shape
People with astigmatism cannot focus on objects clearly and see blurred, fuzzy, or distorted images. It may also cause eyestrain, headaches, and difficulty seeing at night.
Astigmatism is a common condition, and most people have some degree of astigmatism. If the eye is only partially curved or curved more in one direction than the other, the person is said to have regular astigmatism, which is more prevalent.
The less common irregular astigmatism occurs when the eye’s curvature is uneven or curves in multiple directions. Astigmatism can be corrected using special types of lenses known as toric lenses.
What Are Toric Lenses?
Toric lenses are lenses specifically designed to correct astigmatism. They are formed differently
from other lens
types with a donut shape. Regular contact lenses have a spherical surface, but toric contacts have a geometric torus shape that creates different
refractive powers on the
horizontal and vertical orientation. The focusing power of the lens increases or decreases as you
move around the
lens.
Toric contacts have a specific orientation and must stay on the eyes in a particular way. If they
don’t fit well and
slip, the wearer will experience blurred vision. They come with special features to ensure they
don’t slide off,
including thick-thin zones, ballasting, and lens truncation.
Most toric contacts are made from soft lenses, but people with severe astigmatism may require
gas-permeable toric
lenses for sharper vision. Like standard contacts, toric contacts are available as daily wear, daily
disposables,
and extended wear contacts.
Monthly or Daily Contacts for Astigmatism
Like standard contact lenses, choosing between daily or monthly toric contacts comes down to your
lifestyle and the
amount of time you are willing to commit to caring for your contacts. Daily toric contacts are
convenient as you do
not have to worry about cleaning or maintenance. You wear a fresh pair each day and toss them before
you go to
bed.
Wearing a new pair of toric contacts each day gives that feeling of newness each time you put them
on and reduces
the risk of microbial deposits and eye infections. Daily contacts are usually made from thin
silicone hydrogel
materials that keep your eyes comfortable. However, daily toric contacts are more expensive upfront
and contribute
more to environmental waste.
Monthly toric contacts require regular cleaning and may not suit you if you cannot maintain a strict
maintenance
routine. However, they are more durable and retain more moisture than daily contacts making them
better for
astigmatism with dry eyes. Monthly contacts are also more cost-effective and eco-friendlier than
daily contacts
since you can wear a pair for up to 30 days.
The choice between daily vs. monthly contacts for astigmatism is ultimately up to the individual and the wearing pattern
that suits them
better.
How Much Do Astigmatism Contacts Cost?
Toric contact lenses are generally more expensive than regular contacts as they have a more complex design. Fitting toric contacts also requires more expertise than traditional contacts, which may add to the overall cost. Specialty contacts for astigmatism, such as colored toric, multifocal toric, and custom-made toric lenses can add to the contacts’ cost.
Daily toric contacts cost $27 to $45 for a box of 30 lenses, so you will expect to spend $330 to $550 annually on daily toric contacts. A pack of six monthly contact lenses costs $45 to $65, meaning that you will spend an average of $450 to $650 annually if you replace your lenses twice a month.
You may not have to replace your lenses as frequently, so you will likely spend considerably less money on your contacts eventually. However, contact care items like cleaning solutions and your lens case can add to the cost of using monthly toric lenses.
Conclusion
Having astigmatism does not have to disrupt your life. Several toric contacts and other contact types help astigmatism patients improve their vision. The best astigmatism contacts provide stable, clear vision, comfort, oxygen permeability, and moisture retention. Contact lenses are medical devices, so you should work with your doctor to find toric contacts right for your eyes and lifestyle.
FAQs
- Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before handling your contact lenses
- Use a recommended multipurpose contact lens solution to clean and disinfect your toric lenses.
- Rub and rinse to remove any dirt or debris on your contacts.
- Use a clean contact lens case to store your toric lenses when you're not wearing them. Make sure to rinse the case with fresh solution and let it air dry between uses.
- Follow replacement schedule as using your contacts for longer periods of time can lead to eye infections.
- Avoid contact with water as it can lead to the growth of microorganisms.