Final answer:
Contact lenses improve conditions like corneal astigmatism, providing superior peripheral vision and stable corrective power. They also offer focused correction for myopia and hyperopia through specially shaped lenses to ensure light is directed onto the retina effectively.
Step-by-step explanation:
Contact lenses can improve several eye conditions by providing a more stable correction close to the eye, which is beneficial for astigmatism and peripheral vision. The condition known as corneal astigmatism is one such condition that is improved by wearing contact lenses.
The tear layer that forms between the contact lens and the cornea can compensate for irregularities on the corneal surface due to its similar refractive index to the cornea itself. For those with myopia (nearsightedness), contact lenses can be specially shaped to redirect light properly onto the retina. Similarly, hyperopia (farsightedness) can be corrected with contact lenses that have a convex shape to focus light correctly on the retina. It is important to remember that skilled optometrists are necessary to properly adjust contact lens power to compensate for any differences in curvature or refractive issues.