Toric Contact Lens

As an adult I didn't remember I had an astigmatism in both eyes. I questioned why I still had blurry vision when I left the doctor's office. Come to find out my astigmatism was not bad enough previously to warrant corrective lenses for the problem. The degree of astigmatisms will result in the need for corrective lenses called Toric contact lenses. If you have an astigmatism it can get worse over time and your doctor should correct for it. You eyes are constantly changing throughout your life; some have eye changes more frequently than others. This is why it is recommended that you see an eye doctor every year.

An astigmatism for those who are not familiar with the term is a curvature of the eye creating blurry vision. This problem can be corrected by surgery along with your other vision problems, but surgery is expensive and may not be an option for you right now. This is where a Toric contact lens can be important.

Toric lenses can be either soft or Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP). The RGP lenses are stiffer than the soft ones and retain their shape on the cornea better. This can result in crisper vision for some people, although many do not notice any difference between the soft and RGP lenses.

Getting fitted for toric contact lenses can take more time and must be exact. Your eye doctor should be experienced in these types of fittings, but you will probably pay more for the fitting as well as for the lenses.

Not everyone with an astigmatism needs toric lenses. If the astigmatism is mild - between 0 and 1.00 diopter - you may be able to wear a soft or RGP lens. RGP lenses might fare better as they are rigid and can use the tears in your eyes to work with the misshapen cornea. You might even be able to use a high prescription of regular soft contacts. Your eye doctor will know which you need and you may have to try a few before you find the perfect lens for you.

Another option your eye doctor may suggest is a Toric contact lens with a special material. Often those with an astigmatism need a higher prescription to correct their vision problems and the heavier weight of the Toric contact lens may be restricting oxygen flow to the eye. If this is the case they may offer a thicker more rigid Toric lens with a special material allowing more oxygen flow. This can help with the extreme dryness that results from having a heavier lens like the Toric contact lens as a secondary effect.