Toric contact lenses arose in response to a need that could not be addressed by traditional contact lenses. For years subsequent to their introduction, contact lenses could easily correct farsightedness or nearsightedness but nothing else. Through careful crafting of the contact lens it became possible to easily change where light rays focused on the retina. But astigmatism posed a problem that was unsolvable by technology at the time, therefore requiring people with astigmatism to continue wearing glasses. Toric contact lenses ultimately solved that problem.
Vision issues usually happen because the eye focuses light rays incorrectly in relation to the retina. Nearsightedness causes light rays to focus in front of the retina. Farsightedness causes light rays to focus behind it.
Astigmatism is a different problem altogether. Astigmatism means that the cornea, lens or the eyeball as a whole is oddly shaped compared to a normal eye. The physical distortion is small and undetectable by others, but small differences in the eye produce a large effect for your vision. Light rays end up scattering in many different directions--not just ahead of, behind, or on the retina. Blurred vision is the unfortunate result of this distortion.
The scattering of light that occurs in astigmatism is what makes it more difficult to produce contact lenses to fix the problem. Toric contact lenses solve this problem by combining different shapes in order to focus light properly. Regular contact lenses are shaped like half a sphere, but toric lenses combine a spherical surface with a donut shaped (toroidal) one. This unique shape solves the light scattering problem.
Toric contact lenses are made of all the same materials as other contact lenses, despite their different shape. They can be hard, soft, or rigid gas permeable (RGP). However, unlike other contact lenses, toric lenses cannot be allowed to rotate around the surface of the eye. The toric lens shape must remain firmly in place to prevent the scattering of light.
Toric contact lenses can also be designed to fix more than one vision problem simultaneously, such as astigmatism and farsightedness. This flexibility and unique shape of toric lenses makes them more difficult to manufacture correctly, and eye exams and fitting can be more complicated.
Toric lenses may be more expensive as a result. For people who only have a mild astigmatism the extra expense might be avoided by using regular contact lenses. The cornea will to some extent conform to the shape of the lens and minimize light scattering. Toric lenses may not be necessary at all for mild astigmatism, but only your eye care doctor can say for sure after administering an exam.
For people end up needing toric contact lenses, there are many options available. You can purchase single or multifocal lenses. Toric lenses are also available in the same types as regular lenses--disposable, single day wear, weekly wear, monthly wear, and even extended wear.
If you are suffering from astigmatism and want to leave your glasses behind, then consider choosing from a range of toric contact lenses that fit your budget and lifestyle needs.
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