Astigmatism in one eye--Should I wear glasses or contacts?

Question

I was diagnosed with astigmatism in my left eye when I was 7, and wore glasses in the first grade, but didn't really need them. So I stopped wearing them. I am now 26 and my left eye is EXTREMELY blurry and I've been getting alot of headaches and my right eye seems to be doing most of the work now... I am going to get my eyes checked this week and then get a prescription, but am not sure whether I should get contacts or glasses? Which would be better for astigmatism? Thank you!

Answer 1

It sounds like we both have a similar situation.  I have moderate astigmatism in my left eye and was diagnosed when I was about five.  I was prescribed eyeglasses for it and they made me feel dizzy and ill whenever I wore them so I did not wear them.  I was also prescribed eyeglasses as a teen as well and had a similar reaction.  

My right eye has normal vision and starting having trouble compensating for my weaker left eye and I started experiencing double vision whenever I would look at objects in the distance -e.g. driving.  I was almost thirty when I decided to finally have eyeglasses made to correct my vision.  I had a similar reaction this time as well so my doctor recommended a contact lens.  Contacts lenses have less minification/magnification because the correction is next to your eye.  It was much easier for me to get accustomed to the contact lens over the eyeglasses.  I can now wear either one but usually wear the contact lens because my vision feels more even when I do.

I hope this helps :)

Edit: I was also treated for strabismus as a child as well so my first prescription also contained a prism correction to help  treat it.

Answer 2

It's possible, just possible, that your eyes may have changed during the last 19 years.  

Answer 3

There's no set answer to this.

If it turns out there is still effectively no Rx in your right eye,

wearing one contact lens in the left may be the best way to go.

If it turns out that you could use an Rx in one eye, or even both, but you don't have to wear it all the time, only when the eyes are working hard, glasses may give more on/off flexibility.

If you are going to need an Rx most or all of the time, you should have a pair of glasses, at least as back-up to the contacts: there will always be days when you want the Rx, but the eyes don't want the contacts.

The issue of astigmatism isn't a critical one here.  Apart from making contacts rather more expensive, it doesn't matter much.

Answer 4

u should wear glasses it will be more helpful than contacts

Answer 5

I have astigmatism in my left eye and its pretty blurry.  I wear contacts.  There's what's called a toric lens.  That's the kind of contact I have for my left eye.  My right eye has a regular lens.  Toric lenses take away the bluriness that astigmatism gives you.  They cost a little more but well worth it if contacts are what you want.  You can try these at your eye dr to see if this is right for you.  Both my contacts are the same brand, Frequency 55.  You can get a toric lens in a lot of different brands.  I have glasses but only wear them around the house before I go to bed or when I get up for a little bit.  I can't wait to get my contacts in.  They are much clearer than my glasses with my left eye and I don't get headaches from my contacts.  Good luck with your decision.

Answer 6

Get a contact lens- it will help you see better and produces less distortion than glassses.