Toric contact lens

[bbuzz]

Since I have astigmatism in my left eye (the eye I had cataract surgery on in Jan.) and my vision uncorrected is 20/70, I am trying to be fitted for a gas perm. toric contact lens.  I am on my third lens as the first two weren't satisfactory.  This third lens is good as far as my vision is concerned, but it is very hard to remove it.  Since I have had contacts for approximately 50 years, I know how to remove the lens.  My question is if I can't get a good fitting on the toric lens, could I just go back to wearing a regular lens.  I had ever heard of a toric lens until just recently so I don't believe my other lenses were toric lens.  I know the advantage of having a toric lens is that your vision will be sharper, but will it be enough to make a big difference?  Thanks.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS]

putting a spherical contact lens on a aspheric eye can cause problems like corneal abrasions, corneal warpage. Discuss it with your contact lens fitter.

JCH MD

[JodieJ]

Depending on how much astigmatism you have, your vision might be MUCH sharper with a toric or RGP lens.  If a RGP lens doesn't seem to be working, there are many brands of soft toric contacts to try.  It was my experience that my vision was equally good with either.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS]

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[JodieJ]

BTW, a RGP contact does not have special astigmatism correction.  It rests on a layer of tears and sort of molds your cornea.  Is this the type contact (hard) you wore previously?  Your difficulty removing the lens suggests that your eyes may be dry post-surgery.  In this case, your best bet would be one of the brands of soft toric contacts made especially for dry eyes.  There are several on the market.  A soft toric lens is weighted to provide astigmatism correction along a given axis.  You might need to consult an eye care provider who specializes in fitting contact lenses.  

[bbuzz]

I'm sorry, Dr. Hagan, I don't understand about the spherical contact lens.  Is that what the toric lens is and is the aspheric eye what I have?  I'm pretty uneducated about these terms.  

JodieJ, I don't know if I wore a BTW before my surgery.  In fact, before my surgery, I didn't give much thought to what type of lens, etc. I was wearing.  I just wore them and left the fitting and brand to my eye doctor.  Fortunately since my cataract surgery, I have learned a lot about my eyes, but unfortunately before my surgery, I didn't have a clue.  

Thank you both for your replies.  You two are very helpful and I appreciate your help.  

[JodieJ]

Were your old contacts hard or soft?  If you wore hard contacts comfortably before surgery and can't wear them now, it may be because your eyes have become dry.  If this is the case, you could try switching to a soft toric contact made especially for dry eyes with astigmatism.

[bbuzz]

I wore hard contacts comfortably before the surgery and still wear them.  Both eyes are comfortable with them in.  I'm just having a hard time removing the left lens.  If the next lens doesn't work out, I'll suggest switching to the soft toric contact.  I am having some problem with my right eye tearing, but not the left eye.  The right eye hasn't had the cataract removed yet.  Thank you.