If you have prescription in both eyes but only wear vision correction contacts in one eye and not the other...

Question

would it damage your eyesight?

I have astigmatism in my left eye but a regular power for my right. However the colored contacts I want don't make one for astigmatism (whihc the btw isnt that bad of an astigmatism. If I wear just one contact in my right eye I can see fine again. My question is- Can I order a vision correction contact for my right eye and no prescription in my left (even with an astigmatism)?

thanks

Answer 1

You should ask your optician or optometrist. Its likely that it might strain your eyes since your right eye has to do all the 'seeing', but I think that would depend on your prescription. However, if it does end up straining your eyes it could make your vision worse or give you major headaches.

Answer 2

I agree with what pedestal said....

Answer 3

It sounds as though your right eye is dominant, in which case leaving out the astigmatic correction in the left eye may not result in signficant eye strain, and you may not even notice the difference while the eyes are working binocularly.

If you do, you may have to give up on the project.  There's no risk of permanent harm in making the attempt.

But rather than no power on the left, you should  get the nearest sphere power equivalent, unless the astigmatism was the only effective component on the lens.

Your prescriber should be able to advise you on this, and whether the coloured contacts you want are an equivalent fit:

One manufacturer's 8.60/13.80 (for example) can fit significantly differently from another 's, depending on other factors not specified by those two numbers.

(I must admit I have no understanding of this desire for coloured lenses: I'd always take the best vision, comfort...

But then I'm old and there are lots of things I dont understand.

To me fashion is a verb.  It means, for example, to fix two pieces of wood together with a nail: "To fashion.")

Good luck with your coloured lenses!

Optometrist, retired.