Can wearing contacts make astigmatism worse?

Astigmatism is an out-of-roundness of the front of your eye. Soft contact lenses, including those made to correct astigmatism, usually do not cause any change in the astigmatism of an eye. Rigid contact lenses may occasionally mold the cornea (the clear front window of the eye) with a resulting change (usually a reduction) in astigmatism, but this molding is not permanent, and the eye returns to its original state if contact lens wear is discontinued. A severe change in astigmatism in adults, such as you describe, may signal an underlying corneal disease such as keratoconus. You should consult an ophthalmologist for an evaluation of the corneas of your eyes.