What is astigmatism?

Having astigmatism means that your eye surface has an irregular curve. Simply put: your eyeball is supposed to be shaped like a golf ball, but astigmatism causes it to be more like a rugby ball. Because your eye is curved unevenly, it has problems focusing light, which means blurry vision at near and far distances.

Lucky for you, astigmatism can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses! It all comes down to getting the best contacts to meet your needs.

What causes astigmatism?

Astigmatism is caused by the irregular curve of your eye. You can be born with astigmatism, or you may notice it over time. It may also develop after an eye injury or eye surgery. The good news is, astigmatism is not caused, or made worse, by sitting too close to the TV or reading in low light.

Astigmatism is more common than you might think. It affects nearly half the population regardless of age.

There are two types: regular astigmatism and irregular astigmatism. These terms describe the shape of your eye. You may have astigmatism in addition to near-sightedness or farsightedness.

What are the symptoms of astigmatism?

If you can’t quite make out the letters on that street sign or you have to reply to that text in brighter light, you may have astigmatism.

Other symptoms of astigmatism include:

  • Blurry or distorted vision at all distances
  • Eyestrain
  • Headaches
  • Eye fatigue
  • Squinting
  • Difficulty seeing at night

It’s important to discuss these symptoms with your Optometrist.

What makes ACUVUE® toric contact lenses great for astigmatism?

  • Contacts can offer freedom and flexibility from glasses. ACUVUE® Contact Lenses for ASTIGMATISM also can solve near-sightedness and farsightedness.
  • Typically, contact lenses can rotate on your eye as you blink or move your head throughout the day. For astigmatism, however, it’s especially important that your lenses stay in place for clear vision. The design of ACUVUE® contact lenses work with your eyelids’ natural movements, helping to realign your contacts with every blink.
  • Your vision stays crisp, clear and stable – even if you have an active lifestyle!
  • Easy to handle, insert and remove, and because of the contact lens’ design, it can’t be inserted upside down like most other lenses for astigmatism.

ACUVUE® offers UV blocking across its entire line of astigmatism contact lenses.*

*WARNING: UV-absorbing contact lenses are NOT substitutes for protective UV-absorbing eyewear such as UV-absorbing goggles or sunglasses because they do not completely cover the eye and surrounding area. You should continue to use UV-absorbing eyewear as directed. NOTE: Long-term exposure to UV radiation is one of the risk factors associated with cataracts. Exposure is based on a number of factors such as environmental conditions (altitude, geography, cloud cover) and personal factors (extent and nature of outdoor activities). UV-blocking contact lenses help provide protection against harmful UV radiation. However, clinical studies have not been done to demonstrate that wearing UV-blocking contact lenses reduces the risk of developing cataracts or other eye disorders. Consult your eye care practitioner for more information.