Updated on December 26, 2022

5 min read

Astigmatism Glasses

Written by Dr. Melody Huang, O.D.

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In this article

Overview: What Is Astigmatism?

Astigmatism occurs when your eye has a slightly irregular curvature. Your eye can't focus light properly on the retina, which results in blurry vision far away and up close.

Astigmatism is a common condition corrected with glasses, contacts, or surgery. Research shows that a genetic component could be involved in this condition and other eye health issues. Astigmatism may develop in infancy or later on in life.

diagram showing eye with normal vision vs astigmatism

People with mild astigmatism may not have any symptoms. If astigmatism worsens, you may notice vision problems such as:

Blurry vision (distance or near)
Glare or halos around lights
Sensitivity to light
Decreased night vision
Shadows or ghosting of images
Headaches
Eye strain and fatigue (particularly while viewing digital devices)
Squinting

Do You Need Glasses for Astigmatism?

Some people with mild astigmatism don't need correction. However, astigmatism is commonly accompanied by other refractive eye conditions like nearsightedness and farsightedness. These conditions require glasses.

You will need glasses to correct astigmatism if it's affecting your sight. This often happens with some cases of mild astigmatism or moderate to extreme astigmatism.

Glasses for astigmatism have cylindrical lenses that properly refract light to the retina. They're customized to correct astigmatism in both eyes, which aren't always the same.

When To Get Glasses for Astigmatism

Consult your eye doctor if you struggle with daily activities, including:

Driving
Reading
Doing computer work

Symptoms that indicate the need for astigmatism correction include:

Blurry vision
Headaches
Squinting
Eye strain
Reduced night vision

Other signs you may need glasses include:

Double vision
Needing more light to read
Losing your place while reading
Distortion in your vision
Halos when driving at night

The eye doctor can examine your eyes to ensure you do not have serious eye conditions that may cause similar symptoms.

Best Types of Glasses for Astigmatism

There are different types of materials used for your corrective lenses. From thickest to thinnest, they are:

CR-39 (standard) plastic
Polycarbonate
Trivex
High index

Choosing the right lens type for vision correction depends on the degree of astigmatism. The higher your prescription, the thinner the lens you should choose.

Thinner lenses also tend to be lighter, although Trivex material is lighter than high-index plastic.

Best Lens Material for Each Astigmatism Level

When your eye doctor writes your eyeglass prescription, you will notice a number under the cylinder (CYL) section. This number is measured in diopters (D) and indicates your astigmatism level.

Each level of astigmatism is suited to different types of lens materials. These are:

Mild astigmatism (1.00 D or less) is suited to CR-39 plastic lenses
Moderate astigmatism (1.00 to 2.00 D) is suited to polycarbonate or Trivex lenses
Severe astigmatism (2.00 to 4.00 D) is suited to polycarbonate, Trivex, or high-index lenses
Extreme astigmatism (4.00 D and above) is suited to high-index

Tips for Choosing Astigmatism Eyewear

Here are other tips for choosing eyewear for astigmatism:

Anti-reflective coating helps to reduce glare off the surface of lenses
A flat frame is easier to adjust to for higher astigmatism corrections compared to glasses with more curvature across the front of the frame
Visit your eye doctor for an adjustment if you experience dizziness or a fishbowl effect with your glasses. A fishbowl effect is when the sides of your vision seem to bend and look distorted while the center is clear

Alternative Astigmatism Treatment Options

If you prefer not to wear glasses, there are other ways to treat astigmatism.

Astigmatism Contact Lenses

Contacts that correct astigmatism are called toric lenses. They are available as:

Soft contact lenses. Flexible, ideal for comfort, and excellent for low to moderate levels of astigmatism
Rigid gas-permeable (RGP) lenses. Also known as hard contacts, less comfortable than soft lenses but better at correcting corneal astigmatism
Hybrid lenses. Contacts that are hard in the center and soft around the edges provide better vision and improved comfort

LASIK Eye Surgery

LASIK is a laser eye surgery that corrects astigmatism, myopia, or hyperopia. Typically, LASIK can treat up to 6.00 D of astigmatism.

Other Refractive Surgeries

An alternative laser eye surgery is PRK (photorefractive keratectomy). Some people with thinner corneas or higher prescriptions are better candidates for PRK than LASIK.

A refractive lens exchange is another refractive surgery. It removes the natural lens inside your eye and replaces it with an intraocular lens implant (IOL). These steps are the same as cataract surgery.

A phakic intraocular lens implant surgery involves inserting an IOL without removing the natural lens. This IOL can be removed or replaced later.

Astigmatism Glasses FAQ

How do glasses work for astigmatism?

Corrective eyeglasses help bend the light passing through your eye to focus on the retina. This produces a sharper image.

What are the best glasses for astigmatism?

The best glasses for astigmatism depends on the severity of your condition. High-index, Trivex, or polycarbonate lenses are best for severe astigmatism. See an eye care professional for the most personalized recommendation.

What causes astigmatism to worsen?

For many people, astigmatism stays the same or barely changes over time. Sometimes it can cause your vision to get worse. This depends on your corneal health and whether you have other eye conditions such as keratoconus.

Is astigmatism corrected with glasses?

Astigmatism can be corrected by glasses. Doctors can also prescribe contacts or recommend laser surgery like LASIK.

What happens if you wear glasses with astigmatism?

If you have astigmatism, wearing glasses will help you see your surroundings more clearly. Astigmatism causes things to appear blurry or doubled. Lights can also glare or have halos around them. Glasses for astigmatism will correct these.

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