What are Toric Contact Lenses, and How Do I Determine and Order Lenses for Astigmatism?
Toric contact lenses are specifically designed to correct astigmatism, a common vision condition caused by an irregularly shaped cornea or lens. Unlike spherical lenses, which correct nearsightedness or farsightedness, toric lenses address both the cylinder (CYL) and axis values present in astigmatism prescriptions. Below, we explain how to identify if you need toric lenses, steps to avoid ordering errors, and key considerations for selecting the right product.
What Are Toric Lenses?
Toric lenses are contact lenses specifically made to correct astigmatism. If you see cylinder (CYL) and axis values in your prescription, your eyes require toric lenses. Spherical lenses, which only account for sphere (SPH) values, will not provide the correction needed for astigmatism. Therefore, using toric lenses ensures proper vision correction tailored to your prescription.
These lenses are designed to align precisely with the axis specified in your prescription, ensuring stable and accurate vision correction.
How to Determine If You Need Toric Lenses
Check Your Prescription: If your prescription includes cylinder (CYL) and axis values alongside SPH values, you need toric contact lenses. These lenses accommodate the irregularities that characterize astigmatism.
Common Product Terms: Some product variants explicitly mention astigmatism, such as "Precision 1 for Astigmatism." Products with the word "toric" in their name (e.g., "Biofinity Toric") are designed for this purpose. Ensure the product matches your prescribed values.
Prescription Completeness: Ensure your prescription includes all three parameters: SPH, CYL, and axis. Without these, proper correction for astigmatism cannot be achieved.
What to Do If You Order the Wrong Lenses
Ordering non-toric lenses when you require astigmatism correction can result in poor vision and discomfort. If the incorrect brand is ordered, we will inform you once we receive the copy of the prescription or the doctor confirms the correct brand and parameters you need. Additionally, different brands may vary in fit and comfort even with identical parameters, making proper fitting and brand-specific prescriptions essential for optimal vision correction. Astigmatism prescriptions cannot be fulfilled with non-toric lenses, so switching to toric lenses is necessary for accurate correction. Consult your eye care professional to ensure the lenses you order match your prescription and provide the best fit for your eyes.