Patient survey reveals misunderstandings about astigmatism, contact lens wear

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — As many as 40% of patients with astigmatism believe that their condition prevents them from using contact lenses to correct their vision, according to a study conducted by Decision Analyst and sponsored by Bausch & Lomb.

The online survey of 993 patients with astigmatism also revealed high interest in using contact lenses to correct vision. According to the survey, two-thirds of the patients with astigmatism who had never previously tried contact lenses said they would be willing to try them if their physician recommended them. As well, about half of the respondents who had previously tried contact lenses said they would be willing to try them again.

"I'm surprised that such a large segment of the population is unaware of our ability to correct astigmatism with contact lenses," Thomas G. Quinn, OD, MS, a private practitioner from Athens, Ohio, said in a release announcing the results of the survey. "I see this as a compelling opportunity for us in the eye care industry. Our astigmatic patients have a need, and we have the tools to meet that need successfully."