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Astigmatism getting worse - contacts?

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Medical Questions-> Health Forums -> Vision and Eye Disorders -> Astigmatism getting worse - contacts?
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Syekiya

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Joined: 07 Dec 2007
Posts: 2
Astigmatism getting worse - contacts?
Posted: 12-07-07 14:51pm

Hi there everyone and thanks for takeing your time to help me.


I'm currently 16 years of age, and going on 17.


I don't know where to start off. I have an Astigmatism that is just getting worse and worse my doctor says.

I'm currently using glasses (these has changed prescription many times, at least once a year, if not more) and I notice they just get worse and worse and worse (my vision that is).

So my doctor, at first told me that Contacts would help me see better, and help correct my Astigmatism.

Now, I went today for my contact fitting and the contact specilist said that the contacts will help me see better, but that wont stop my Astigmatism from getting worse..

So, if my Astigmatism just keeps getting worse, once I be back at step one with have new prescriptions ever year?

I have a feeling my doctors don't know what they are doing or talking about, sadly.



Also, one doctor said I can get surgery when I'm older (Why must I wait?) because my eye will change before then.....


PS: Contacts are Hard (Rigid) Contacts, and they arn't cheap!


Please help me.. I'm getting desprate!
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Ingi

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Posted: 12-07-07 14:57pm

An astigmatism cannot be corrected without surgery. Maybe you misheard your doctor and he said it could correct your VISION, but not correct the PROBLEM.

Astigmatism will get progressively worse. It is an inherited eye issue, so your parents probably have it, or someone else in your family.

You probably have to wait until you are older because you are ONLY 16 and still growing. Maybe you could go to a different eye doctor and get a second opinion.

Glasses aren't cheap. Contacts aren't cheap. Surgery isn't cheap. Welcome to the world Wink
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Syekiya

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 07 Dec 2007
Posts: 2

Posted: 12-07-07 15:02pm

Yeah. I know.

Ok, so my new question is;

What is better for Astigmatism? Glasses, or Contacts?

Will one slow it down so I don't have to keep getting new ones? Or am I doomed until I'm a certain age and can get the surgery, or something new comes out (heh)?
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Ingi

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Posted: 12-07-07 15:21pm

You can only help see better. Nothing is going to stop it other than surgery.

A lot of people with astigmatism cannot wear contacts. There is an issue with night blindness, blurry vision from slipping, etc.

Your eye is mishapen, which is why you have to get the more expensive contact lenses. They have to be weighted a certain way to fit effectively.

Glasses aren't for everyone either. Just pick your poison, I guess. Wink
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@~Sonia

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 07 Dec 2007
Posts: 13

Posted: 12-10-07 00:59am

my dr said i have astigmatism.. What exactly is it? he didnt explain just expected me to know what it was.. He gave me a perscription for glasses and said it will help, but i have almost 20 20 vision so i didnt see the need to get glasses...
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1occoli

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 25 Dec 2007
Posts: 7
Non Surgical Alternative...
Posted: 12-25-07 23:39pm

I am an optometrist...there is a non-surgical alternatives that can help you called ortho-k. This uses special contact lenses that you wear at night to correct your vision, and you remove them in the morning, providing you with close to 20/20 vision.

This also depends on the severity of your myopia and astigmatism. If you would let me know your RX, I can help you out more thoroughly. Some people who are afraid of surgery use this method and are very happy as it requires NO surgery.

Your astigmatism MAY get slightly worse, but a lot of the time it does not.

Dr. Peters
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