Specialty Contact Lenses for Astigmatism

Soft contact lenses were previously hard to fit for astigmatic eyes because each toric contact lens was unique and fit differently. Technology, however, has radically improved, allowing for consistent fit and a multitude of contact lens types. Spherical, rigid gas-permeable lenses can frequently cover the astigmatism for corneas with low toricity. Back toric RGP lenses are used for corneas with large amounts of toricity not correctable with spherical lenses.

Rigid gas-permeable lenses maintain their shape on the eye and don't conform to the unequal contours of an astigmatic eye like soft lenses do. When an RGP contact lens is worn on an eye that has mild to moderate astigmatism, the space between the (spherical) back surface of the contact lens and the (astigmatic) front surface of the cornea is filled with tears. This layer of tears is shaped in such a way that it becomes, in effect, a lens that fully corrects the astigmatism of the eye.

Rigid gas permeable lenses were typically recommended almost exclusively to address the more severe forms of astigmatism in the past. Rather than soft, more pliable contact lenses made of plastic, hard contact lenses were thought to be better able to help stabilize the cornea to deal with common astigmatism vision deficiencies. However, improvements in design have made soft contact lens materials available in the form of toric contact lenses.

Toric soft lenses have special powers in different meridians of the lens and either prism ballast or thin zones to stabilize the lens and keep it from swiveling during blinks and eye movements. Toric lenses cost more since they have a more complicated design than normal soft lenses. Popular disposable and/or frequent replacement toric lenses include:

- Acuvue Toric
- Focus Toric
- SofLens 66 Toric
- Preference Toric

What Is Astigmatism?

This is a question that optometrists hear every day. An irregularly shaped cornea is the usual cause of astigmatism. You may not notice it or have just faintly hazy vision if you have only a small amount of astigmatism. Children may be even more oblivious to the condition than adults, and they are not likely to complain of the blurred vision.

The cause of astigmatism is unknown. Symptoms include difficulty in seeing fine detail, either close-up or from a distance. Astigmatism is easily diagnosed by a normal ophthalmic exam with refraction test. Complications, including the risk of corneal abrasion, may occur if contact lenses are used to correct the condition. If your vision problems worsen, or they do not improve, call for an appointment with your eye care provider.

People with astigmatism were told for many years that they could not wear contact lenses to correct their vision. Nowadays, not only can astigmatism be corrected with toric contact lenses, but wearers also have options across a wide range of materials, brands and replacement schedules. They even come in colors.

Be sure to understand that if you and your eye care professional make the decision that toric contact lenses are the best option for your astigmatism, since they call for more difficult fitting and have two levels of correction in them, both the fitting and the lenses themselves will be more costly than other contact lenses.