Toric contact lenses are specially created to correct astigmatism, a refractive error resulting from an abnormally shaped cornea or lens. Unlike regular contacts, toric lenses have different powers at specific meridians, aligning with the eye's unique curvature to provide clear and stable vision. These lenses are ideal for individuals with astigmatism who want good vision correction without relying on glasses.
Discover the right toric contact lenses for your needs—book an appointment today at Vision Source Rio or Vision Source Heights!
Are Toric contact lenses the right choice for you? Let's dive into the world of these specialized lenses and explore their features, benefits, and suitability for your unique vision needs.
Different Types of Toric Contacts
Toric lenses are available in several materials and designs that allow you to choose the best option for your preferences and lifestyle. Here are the most common types:
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Soft Toric Lenses: Soft and flexible lenses are the most popular choice for comfort and ease of use.
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Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Toric Lenses: These are more durable and provide sharper vision but may take longer to get used to.
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Hybrid Toric Lenses: Hybrid lenses combine a rigid center for sharp vision with a soft outer ring for comfort.
Fitting Toric Contact Lenses
Toric lenses require a precise fit to ensure they stay in place and provide consistent, clear vision. To help maintain their position, toric lenses are designed with features like:
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Thin-thick zones: Variations in lens thickness help maintain its position.
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Ballasting: A heavier section to stabilize the lens and help it settle properly.
The ballasting design helps the lens settle at the bottom of the eye, ensuring proper alignment for clear vision. The heavier portion is often marked with a line for easier insertion, ensuring that the line faces the lower lid (6 o'clock) as you insert your lens.
During your appointment at Vision Source Rio or Vision Source Heights, we take detailed measurements to ensure the lens axis aligns perfectly with your eye for optimal clarity. Our team also provides guidance on inserting and removing toric lenses. Schedule your visit at Vision Source Rio or Heights today to receive expert care and find the perfect lenses for your needs!
How Do Toric Contact Lenses Work?
Toric lenses align with the unique shape of your cornea, with different powers in various parts of the lens to address the irregular curvature of the eye. These lenses are designed to stay in place, even with blinking or eye movement, providing consistent vision throughout the day.
The key to their effectiveness is how they redirect light entering the eye. When a person has astigmatism, light bends unevenly, causing blurry or distorted vision. Toric lenses correct this by focusing light on a single point on the retina, offering clear and sharp vision.
What Kinds of Contact Lenses Can You Wear With Astigmatism?
In addition to toric lenses, other specialty lenses can help correct astigmatism, such as:
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Toric multifocal and monovision contact lenses: These combine astigmatism correction with near and distance vision.
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Daily disposable toric lenses: Convenient and hygienic, these lenses are ideal for those who prefer disposable options. Our blog post on daily and monthly contacts takes a closer look at these different modalities to help you decide which might best suit your lifestyle.
Can You Wear Colored Contacts With Astigmatism?
No, at this point in time in the United States there are no FDA approved toric contact lenses available.
Are Contacts Better for Astigmatism Than Glasses?
Both glasses and contact lenses have their own advantages. Their prescription, however, is not the same. Glasses are easy to use and don't touch the eye, but they can distort peripheral vision as you look away from the center of the lens. In glasses, the two distinct power meridians sit in front of your eye and never move. Therefore your central vision is very clear with astigmatic (toric) glasses lenses, but the peripheral vision can be more distorted as you look away from the optical center of the lens. You have to be more of a head-turner with astigmatic glasses to maintain sharp vision in all directions. With toric contact lenses, you can be more of an eye-mover than a head-turner. However soft toric contacts shift slightly when you blink, so the lenses move off axis for a split second which can blur central vision for that moment in time. Toric contact lenses provide for a more normal peripheral field of vision experience.
Ultimately, the choice depends on your lifestyle. Some people with astigmatism find toric contacts to be more convenient and comfortable for daily wear. Others, particularly those who work on computers and require crystal clear central vision, prefer glasses for astigmatism most of the time. However, you can have your cake and eat it too! You are not limited to just one choice. Single use toric disposable contact lenses make it possible to wear your glasses to work but easily wear contacts on the weekend or for sports and special occasions. And this solution is much more affordable than you might think!
Advantages and Disadvantages of Toric Contact Lenses
Advantages:
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Good precision in correcting astigmatism.
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Available in various materials and styles.
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Sharper vision compared to regular spherical lenses for astigmatic patients.
Disadvantages:
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Require precise fitting, which can be more time-consuming.
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A more complex design has a higher price tag than regular spherical lenses.
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New wearers might need more of an adjustment period.
Are Toric Contact Lenses Right for You?
Toric contact lenses could be a good fit for you if you have astigmatism and want clearer vision without relying on glasses. At Vision Source Rio and Vision Source Heights, we assess your unique needs during a comprehensive eye exam and recommend the best contact lenses tailored to your lifestyle.
Understanding the base curve is vital to ensure a proper fit for toric lenses, as the curvature of the lens needs to match the shape of your eye.
Take the First Step to Clearer Vision
Don't let astigmatism prevent you from enjoying better vision! At Vision Source Rio and Vision Source Heights, we offer comprehensive eye exams, professional contact lens fittings, and personalized recommendations to help you find the perfect contact lenses to fit you and your lifestyle.
Book an appointment today and take the first step toward seeing the world with clarity and confidence!
FAQs
What is the difference between toric contacts and regular contacts?
Toric lenses are designed to correct astigmatism, featuring different powers at various meridians. Regular (spherical) contacts have uniform power and cannot correct the uneven curvature of astigmatic eyes. Toric lenses are designed to correct astigmatism, but sometimes astigmatism is confused with nearsightedness; the two conditions differ in how they affect your vision.
Who should wear toric contact lenses?
Anyone diagnosed with clinically significant astigmatism who prefers contact lenses as a means of correction vs glasses can benefit from toric contact lenses.
What level of astigmatism requires a toric contact lens?
Toric contact lenses are generally recommended for moderate to severe astigmatism. Mild cases of astigmatism can often be corrected with a special type of regular spherical contact lens that can help mask or cover up small amounts of uncorrected astigmatism. Your optometrist will guide you to your best lens choice.
