Astigmatism is a common vision condition, but there are several different types that you may have. Learn about the unique shapes of the eye and how they impact your vision.
ACUVUE creates toric contact lenses specifically designed to correct astigmatism
People without astigmatism have a cornea or lens that is a spherical shape, much like a basketball. This means that no matter where light hits it, it passes through the same curve. When you have astigmatism, your cornea or lens is not perfectly spherical. Instead, it is shaped more cylindrically, like an American football. Because light does not pass through a uniform sphere shape, it cannot focus equally on your retina (the part of your eye that helps form the images you see). Instead, the light focuses at two or more points. For example, one point might be on the retina and another point might be behind it. This uneven focus is exactly what creates blurry or distorted vision at all distances.
When the two curves of the cornea or lens are perpendicular to one another, meaning they are 90 degree angle from one another, the astigmatism is considered regular. This is the more common of the two.
When the angle between the curves of your cornea or lens is not 90 degrees, you have irregular astigmatism. This is often caused by a physical injury or other degenerative diseases of the cornea.
Since regular astigmatism is more common and the relationship of the curves are predictable (90 degrees from one another) contact lens manufacturers are able to create contact lenses that suit the majority of people with astigmatism, and eye doctors often have these contact lenses ready for you in their office. If you have irregular astigmatism, it may be more difficult to find contact lenses that correct your astigmatism, or you may need special custom contact lenses.
If you have regular astigmatism, your eye doctor will look at the exact direction (or orientation) of your eye's curves. We can use the American football analogy to easily picture these three main types:
Imagine an American football resting flat on the ground. The steeper curve goes up and down (vertically), while the flatter curve goes side to side (horizontally). This is the most common form of astigmatism.
Now imagine someone holding that football straight up on its tip. The flatter curve is vertical, and the steeper curve is horizontal. This is how it is with against-the-rule astigmatism.
With oblique astigmatism, imagine the football leaning over. The curves are tilted at an angle, but they still cross each other at 90 degree angles.
Your regular astigmatism type is determined by what eye doctors call the “orientation” of your astigmatism. In order to correct your astigmatism with glasses or contacts, your lenses need to match the orientation of your astigmatism. There’s a special kind of contact lenses specifically designed to address this—called toric lenses—and these are designed to stay in the right orientation.
One curve focuses light properly on the retina while the other focuses light in front of the retina
Both curves focus light in front of the retina
One curve focuses light behind the retina and the other curve focuses light in front of the retina
One curve focuses light properly on the retina while the other focuses light behind the retina
Both curves focus light behind the retina
Contacts provide unobstructed sight and correct astigmatism as well as nearsightedness or farsightedness.
For astigmatism, it’s extremely important that your lenses stay in place for clear vision. Ours realigns with every blink.
You can run, jump and twist without worrying about glasses falling off or getting damaged.
Due to the contact lens's design, it can't be put on upside down like most other lenses for astigmatism.
ACUVUE offers UV blocking#^ across its entire line of contact lenses, including those for astigmatism.
Curious what your contact lens options are? Get in touch with your eye doctor for a contact lens fitting exam.
Follow a few simple steps to download your own free trial certificate to take to your contact lens fitting appointment.
Astigmatism can be described in different ways (see above about regular vs. irregular astigmatism; with-the-rule, against the rule, oblique; how it affects your vision). For example, you can have a regular, with-the-rule, or simple myopia astigmatism. On top of that, at an eye exam, each eye is measured separately, and it’s common for the type or amount of astigmatism to be different in each. Your eye doctor can explain what this means for your vision and correction options.
Very mild astigmatism might not require any vision correction if it does not interfere with your daily life. If symptoms like blurry vision, eye strain, or headaches occur, an eye doctor may recommend glasses or contact lenses. Other treatment options may be considered in specific cases.
People with astigmatism experience blurry or distorted vision at all distances, and often have trouble seeing when there are bright lights in a dark environment, like driving at night. Astigmatism is different from nearsightedness and farsightedness because it affects vision at all distances rather than only for things that are near or far.
Yes, the shape of your cornea or lens can change as you age, which means your astigmatism can shift or worsen over time. This is why attending regular, comprehensive eye exams is crucial for maintaining clear vision.
Regular contact lenses correct nearsightedness or farsightedness and may work for some people with mild astigmatism. However, they often do not provide clear or consistent vision for higher levels of astigmatism. Toric contact lenses are specially designed to correct astigmatism and are commonly recommended. Your eye doctor can help determine the best option for you.
The only way to know for sure is through a comprehensive eye exam. Symptoms like blurry vision at all distances, headaches, and eye strain can indicate astigmatism, but your eye doctor can perform tests to give you a definitive diagnosis. In the meantime, you can take our online astigmatism test to find out if you have symptoms of astigmatism.
While toric lenses are uniquely designed to help keep them stable on your eye, most people adjust to them just as easily as regular contacts. Your eye doctor will ensure a proper fit, and brands like ACUVUE offer contact lenses made with advanced technologies for a comfortable and stable wearing experience.
The information provided on this page and across the entire Acuvue.com experience is designed to offer educational insights into eye health, referencing expert advice from reputable medical and government organizations, including the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Optometric Association and the National Eye Institute. While we research, report, and review the content on Acuvue.com and its extended social media to deliver accurate and up-to-date vision, vision care, and vision correction information, we do not make any assurances, and content accessed on or through Acuvue.com and its extended social media is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of any eye conditions or health issues. This brings us to our #1 eye health tip: Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized medical guidance and care.
#Helps protect against transmission of harmful UV radiation to the cornea and into the eye.
*Free trial contact lenses available only from participating eye care professionals. Exam and fitting fees not included.
