Muna Tuet (yr10 Trust) - Science Essay for SAW

Title of the essay

Defects of visions and their correction. (focus on one specific problem - astigmatism)

Our sight is very important as it is the main sense we used to take in our surroundings, but a group
of people in the society encounter difficulties when looking as they may have astigmatism, myopia
etc. Astigmatism is a refractive error in the eye caused by a deviation from spherical curvature,
when light is unable to focus properly on the retina to produce a clear vision. Both irregular shaped
cornea (corneal astigmatism) or lens (lenticular astigmatism) in the eye can lead to such refractive
error. The irregular shaped cornea refers to the steeper or possibly even flatter than the other of the
cornea that leads to Astigmatism; the irregular shaped lens is when the lens has variations in its
curvature that also caused blurred vision. As the light is improperly refracted on the retina, multiple
focus points occurs in the eye and distorted images appeared, which gives a negative impact to the
individual when it brings inconvenience when seeing in daily life.

As technology contributes to Science, the problem of Astigmatism is detected in a comprehensive

eye exam. After consultation from the doctor, there are several solutions such as corrective lenses
(glasses and contacts) and refractive surgery that helps solve the problem. Later, in the 21st century,
toric contact lenses have become popular when these contact lenses were invented and specially
designed soft lens for correction of Astigmatism. Unlike the regular spherical contacts, these toric
contacts have different powers in distinct meridians of the lens that helps to adjust the varying
amount of nearsightedness or farsightedness in different meridians of the eye that characterises
astigmatism. They are made to bend light more in one direction than the other, which the refractive
error of astigmatism can be corrected by these contacts when light once again focuses directly on
the retina. Toric contact lenses are probably prescribed by the professionals as it is more convenient
when used in daily life, but for severe situations, a gas-permeable rigid contact lens will be
recommended, which is a type of lens that has a similar use and structure as the toric lens, but it can
be drier and more delicate.

(Draw a Diagram of eyes before when there is astigmatism and there is refractive error VS topic
contact lenses on eyes helping the light refraction in daily life)

(evidence)
The invention of toric contact lenses has successfully improved the lives of the individual that has
Astigmatism as the lenses turned blurred images into rather clear visions, providing chances for
people to look clearly. This product has become popular around the world in the 21st Century, and
is the best selling product in the U.S.. Its unique design makes it possible to eliminate corneal
astigmatism and significantly improve uncorrected distance vision. According to Pentax Vision Inc,
most conventional toric soft lenses are only able to correct up to 2.50 diopters (D) of astigmatism.
In comparison, custom toric soft lenses are able to correct much higher amounts of astigmatism. It
can also be ordered in finer increments (0.25 D) for a more accurate correction and potentially
providing a sharper vision. In other words, custom toric soft lenses are a more successful way to
improve the condition of astigmatism, which is a reliable way for the individual to correct
Astigmatism at the lowest risk. Apart from the improvement on such Astigmatism condition, it also
benefits the individual as he/she can prevent from accidents that may happen with blurred vision
such as when driving or doing sports.
Although it benefits us by improving our vision, it is believed that these toric contact lenses costs a
lot and people in the low economically-developed countries are not able to afford these products. A
market research conducted in June 2016 about the selling price of conventional toric contacts, as
seen in the picture on the right are the the selling prices of
each box from different companies. The lowest price of a
conventional topic contacts is U.S. Dollars $57.5, and that
the successful rate of correcting astigmatism with these
normal contacts are very low. In other words, the price of
custom topic contacts is even higher, as it is designed
specially for each individual according to their condition of
astigmatism. The toric contact lens can solve the problem of
astigmatism, but the prices are too expensive that it is not
affordable as in long term as they are types that cannot be reused.

In fact, it is more environmentally-friendly to buy toric contact lens that are expensive but can be
cleaned and reused for a long time. Also, the first priority is that these specially designed soft lenses
are effective in correcting Astigmatism. However, some argued that glasses are the most effective
and fastest way to correct Astigmatism. In this case, there is no doubt that glasses are the safest and
easiest way to solve the problem, but there are also inconvenience in real life when wearing glasses.
For example, your vision can be obstructed or blurred by precipitation collecting on your lenses or
when they fog up in cold weather. Another example is when glasses is something you concern in
playing sports and exercising as it will be moving around you face, which you cannot jump or move
too much that glasses may fall or break. Apart from glasses, refractive surgery can also be a solution
to Astigmatism but it is only able to fix corneal astigmatism but not lenticular astigmatism, and it
also requires eyes with no retina problems or corneal scars. Besides, there is a very high risk as the
success rate is 94.6%, which there are 5.4% that is may not be successful. To sum up, the
disadvantages of the solution of glasses and refractive surgery outweighs the advantages of the
solution of glasses and refractive surgery.

In conclusion, the advantages of toric contacts outweighs the disadvantages of it. In terms of risks
and safety, toric contact lens are the best compared to glasses and refractive surgery. Also, there are
different types of toric contact lens and prices varies, which allows the consumers to choose the best
according to their own situation. They also allow people to work and exercise properly, with no
worries or concern about the destruction of glasses or failure of surgery. Therefore, it is proved that
this designed soft lens helps to solve the problem of astigmatism and also brings convenience to the
individual in real life when it corrects the refractive error.