Toric Lenses

Toric Contact Lenses

Toric contact lenses for astigmatism are made from the same materials as regular, spherical contact lenses. They can be either soft or RGP. The difference is in the design of the lens.

Toric contact lenses have two powers created with curvatures at different angles, one for astigmatism, the other for either myopia or hyperopia. There is a mechanism to keep the contact lens relatively stable on the eye when you blink or look around. To provide crisp vision, toric contact lenses are made to resist rotation on the eye. Spherical lenses on the other hand have the same power all around the lens, so it doesn't matter if the lens rotates. Toric lenses have two different powers in the lens, so they must remain in position for best visual acuity. Some toric lenses are made heavier at the bottom to keep from turning around. Unless you have a very complex prescription your astigmatism can usually be corrected with disposable toric contact lenses.