Two Types of Astigmatism.

Regular astigmatism results from unequal curvatures of the cornea, in which the most curved surface is at a right angle to the least curved surface. This condition is relatively easy to correct. Images can be refocused onto the plane of the retina with either glasses, Toric soft contact lenses, or rigid gas permeable contact lenses.

Irregular astigmatism results from a distorted as well as an unequal corneal curvature. The most and least curved surfaces do not lie at right angles to each other. Because of this, it is impossible to correct irregular astigmatism with standard glasses or soft contact lenses. Rigid gas permeable lenses are the best option because they allow tears in your eye to fill in between the cornea and the lens. The tears, in essence, form a new lens, which corrects the astigmatism.

There's no stigma to having astigmatism. In fact, it is a common visual occurrence. Just as sets of teeth are seldom perfectly aligned, many corneas are imperfectly shaped. While no one knows the exact reason for differences in the shape of corneas, the tendency to develop astigmatism is inherited. So next time someone bemoans having 'stigmatism, go ahead and 'splain a few things. Tell them that the chances are very good that they, too, can enjoy clear, comfortable vision. Urge them to ask their practitioner about special soft Toric contact lenses, designed especially for people with their condition and now even available for monthly replacement. And sometime in the conversation, you might ever so gently remind them that their condition is not "'stigmatism," but "astigmatism."