Which type of lens is best suited for someone with astigmatism?

Cylindrical lenses are specifically designed to correct astigmatism, which occurs when the eye's cornea is irregularly shaped, causing blurred or distorted vision. Unlike spherical lenses, which are uniform in curvature and correct for nearsightedness or farsightedness, cylindrical lenses have a difference in curvature that accounts for the varying focal lengths depending on the direction of light entering the eye. This unique shape helps focus light more accurately onto the retina, providing clearer vision for individuals with astigmatism and addressing the specific refractive errors associated with the condition.

Other types of lenses, such as single vision, bifocal, or photochromic lenses, do not provide the necessary correction for the irregularities in vision associated with astigmatism. Single vision lenses are intended for one field of vision, bifocal lenses combine two prescriptions for near and distance vision but do not incorporate the correction needed for astigmatism, and photochromic lenses simply change tint based on light exposure; none will correct the warped focus that astigmatism produces. Hence, cylindrical lenses are the optimal choice for managing this specific vision issue.