Toric contact lenses vs Lenses for Astigmatism

What is the difference between Toric Contact lenses and Contact lenses for astigmatism.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

A spherical contact lens corrects for farsighted or nearsighted. They also rotate on the cornea. Astigmatism means 'lopsided or not round'. It occurs because the cornea is 'not round' (ie shaped like a football not a baseball). Soft contact lens (CTL) do not correct much astigmatism at all, rigid CTL vault over the lopsided cornea and correct much larger amounts of astigmatism. Toric Contact lens are designed so that they do not rotate on the eye. They have on them a correction for even larger amounts of astigmatism in additional to near- and far- sightedness. Toric CTL are more difficult to fit, have a lower success rate and are more expensive.


JCH Eye Physician and Surgeon

[sarahcoles28]

A related discussion, Toric Contact Lenses vs Lenses For Astigmatisam was started.