Can I Wear Contact Lenses if I Have Astigmatism and Presbyopia?

Updated on October 7, 2024 – As we age, our eyes undergo changes, possibly leading to eye conditions like astigmatism or presbyopia.

Over 32 million Americans have both these conditions. If you’re one of them, you may have been told you can’t wear lenses that correct both or even any contacts at all. The good news is that’s a myth!

In this post, we’ll debunk that misconception, discuss astigmatism and presbyopia, and explore a potential solution.

What Is Astigmatism?

Astigmatism is a common refractive error caused by an irregular curvature of the eye’s cornea or lens. In a perfectly shaped eye, the cornea and lens are uniformly curved, allowing light to focus evenly on the retina. But in eyes with astigmatism, this uneven curvature disrupts the light’s path, leading to blurry or distorted vision.

The root causes of astigmatism can vary. For some people, it’s congenital, meaning they’re born with it. In others, it can develop due to factors like eye injuries, surgeries, or certain diseases. Regardless of its origin, astigmatism is a condition that affects many and can significantly impact daily life.

Common symptoms and signs of astigmatism include:

• Blurred or distorted vision at all distances
• Eye strain or discomfort
• Headaches
• Difficulty seeing at night
• Constantly squinting

What Is Presbyopia?

Presbyopia is a natural part of the aging process that affects our ability to focus on near objects clearly. As we age, the lens inside our eye becomes less flexible, making it challenging to adjust our focus from far to near, or vice versa.

Unlike astigmatism, which can be present from birth or develop due to external factors, presbyopia is an inevitable condition that everyone experiences to some degree as they grow older.

The exact cause of presbyopia lies in the lens’s elasticity. With age, the proteins in the lens begin to break down, causing it to harden and lose its flexibility. This results in the lens’s diminished ability to change shape and focus on up-close objects as efficiently as it once did.

Common symptoms and signs of presbyopia include:

• Difficulty reading small print or doing close-up tasks
• Needing to hold reading materials at arm’s length
• Blurred vision at a normal reading distance
• Eye strain or headaches after reading or doing detailed work
• Needing brighter light for reading or close-up work

Toric Contact Lenses and How They Work

Unlike standard spherical contacts that have the same power throughout the lens, toric contact lenses have varying powers in different areas. This unique design is specifically tailored for people with astigmatism. The varying powers ensure that light is refracted, or bent, correctly onto the retina, providing a clear and sharp vision.

The “toric” aspect of these lenses refers to their distinct shape, which is similar to a slice of a donut rather than the symmetrical shape of a basketball. This ensures they align perfectly with the irregular curvature of the eye with astigmatism. Toric lenses are also designed to remain stable and not rotate on the eye, maintaining the correct orientation for optimal vision correction.

In a nutshell, toric lenses give those with astigmatism the chance to enjoy the benefits of contact lenses without compromising on clarity and comfort.

Below are three of the best-selling toric contact lenses for astigmatism:

Acuvue Oasys for Astigmatism Contact Lenses 

Acuvue Oasys for Astigmatism stands out due to its ACUVUE’s BLINK STABILIZED® Design, which use s the natural movements of your eyes to maintain lens stability. The lenses also incorporate Hydraclear Plus Technology, a moisture-rich agent that keeps the lenses hydrated for all-day comfort, even in dry environments like air-conditioned spaces or in front of digital screens.

The lenses also offer UV protection, blocking 99% of UVB and 96% of UVA rays, which adds a layer of protection for individuals frequently exposed to the sun. Made from silicone hydrogel material they allow high levels of oxygen to pass through, making them suitable for active lifestyles.

Biofinity Toric Contact Lenses

Biofinity Toric lenses feature Aquaform Technology, which ensures the lens material remains naturally moist even without wetting agents. This feature, combined with the lens’s Optimized Toric Lens Geometry, helps provide stable, clear vision for those with astigmatism by reducing lens rotation and maintaining proper alignment on the eye.

These lenses are also made from a highly breathable silicone hydrogel (Comfilcon A), allowing significant oxygen to pass through to the cornea, which is essential for keeping eyes comfortable and healthy during prolonged wear.

Air Optix plus HydraGlyde for Astigmatism Contact Lenses

Air Optix® plus HydraGlyde® for Astigmatism combines advanced technologies to provide astigmatism sufferers with a comfortable and long-lasting lens-wearing experience. These monthly disposable contact lenses are designed to correct astigmatism, a condition that causes blurred vision due to an irregularly shaped cornea. They can be worn daily for up to 30 days, or continuously for up to 6 nights and 7 days.

The lenses feature Alcon’s SmartShield® Technology, which helps prevent the buildup of protein and lipid deposits, keeping the lenses clear and comfortable throughout the month. This technology also resists residue from cosmetics and hand creams for better vision and comfort. Additionally, the Precision Balance 8|4® design stabilizes the lens using the natural blinking motion, with two anchor points and scribe marks for precise positioning.

Multifocal Contact Lenses and How They Work

A multifocal contact lens is like merging multiple pairs of glasses into one. Unlike standard spherical contacts, which offer a uniform prescription across the entire lens, multifocal lenses contain multiple prescription zones. These zones are tailored to provide clear vision at varying distances, catering to the needs of those with presbyopia.

Imagine a lens with concentric circles, like a target. The center might be designed for close-up reading, while the next circle outward corrects for intermediate vision, and the outermost zone offers distance correction. The design enables the wearer to shift focus from near to far smoothly, compensating for the aging eye’s reduced flexibility.

In essence, multifocal lenses let presbyopic individuals read a book, work on a computer, or recognize faces from afar without switching between different glasses.

Below are three of the best-selling multifocal contact lenses for presbyopia:

Biofinity Multifocal Contact Lenses

Biofinity® Multifocal contact lenses by CooperVision are high-performance monthly lenses that offer exceptional clarity for near, intermediate, and far vision, without needing to switch between different vision aids. They can be worn daily for up to 30 days or continuously for up to 6 nights and 7 days, making them a flexible option for various lifestyles.

One of the key features is CooperVision’s Aquaform® Technology, which locks in moisture to keep your eyes hydrated and comfortable throughout the day. This technology also allows high levels of oxygen to pass through the lenses, keeping your eyes clear, white, and healthy. Made from breathable comfilcon A silicone hydrogel, Biofinity Multifocal lenses also guarantee all-day comfort with smooth, rounded edges that minimize irritation.

Air Optix Aqua Multifocal Contact Lenses

Made from lotrafilcon B, a highly breathable silicone hydrogel material, Air Optix lenses are designed to allow high levels of oxygen to pass through to the cornea. This helps keep eyes healthy, white, and less prone to irritation. They are well-suited for those who need high oxygen transmission, especially if worn for extended periods.

These contact lenses also feature Alcon’s AQUA Moisture System, which provides moisture retention but is mainly focused on maintaining a breathable lens surface. They are ideal for users who prioritize oxygen flow for long-wear comfort and want a monthly disposable lens with minimal deposit buildup. 

1-Day Acuvue Moist Multifocal Contact Lenses

The 1-Day Acuvue Moist Multifocal Contact Lenses are ideal for presbyopic users who want a comfortable, low-maintenance solution that doesn’t compromise on vision clarity. Its LACREON technology embeds a moisture-rich agent within the lens, providing consistent hydration throughout the day. Plus, they include Class 2 UV protection, blocking 82% of UVA and 97% of UVB rays, making them suitable for those who spend time outdoors​.

Wrapping Up

To sum it all up, yes, you can wear contact lenses if you have astigmatism, presbyopia, or both. There are specially designed contact lenses available. Toric contact lenses are for astigmatism, multifocal contact lenses are for presbyopia, and toric multifocal contact lenses work for those with both.

These lenses come in daily disposable, bi-weekly, and monthly options to suit your lifestyle. Some brands, like Acuvue Oasys for Presbyopia and Biofinity Toric Multifocal, are popular choices. However, fitting these lenses may require more precision, so it’s important to consult with an eye care professional for the right fit​.