Search:

Would you like to contribute to this site? Contact Lens Menu Submit an Article Submit a Tip Place your Ad Add URL Contact Lens Questions? Contact Us  Types of Contact Lens   Color Contact Lens   Bifocal Contact Lens   Toric Contact Lens   Custom Contact Lens   Nonprescription Contact Lens   Buy Contact Lens Online   Free Samples of Contact Lens   Discount Contact Lens   Cheap Contact Lens   Contact Lens Information   Acuvue Contact Lens   Contact Lens Brands   Contact Lens Products   Contact Lens Problems   Where To Purchase Contact Lens

Return To Contact Lens Article Archive   Search the Article Archives The Truth About Toric Contact Lenses By Patricia Brown Regular contact lenses and Toric contact lenses are made from the same materials. The most significant difference is that Toric lenses are designed for people with astigmatism, one of the most commonly treated eye conditions. Whats remarkable is that modern toric contact lenses offer astigmatism sufferers a selection and freedom that was unavailable in the past. Toric contact lenses are created with two focal powers in them, as opposed to regular contacts, which only have one. Torics are designed to include different angled curves: one of them is for the astigmatism, and the other is for the nearsightedness or farsightedness of the user. Because the astigmatism curves must be aligned with the eye in a specific orientation, toric contact lenses also come with a mechanism that helps the contact lens stay relatively stable on the eye. This allows the wearer blink or move their eyes without concern for the lenses shifting around, guaranteeing the torics will provide the clearest and most comfortable vision correction possible. If this measure was not taken and the lenses could move around when the wearer blinked or moved their eyes, the lenses would rotate and prevent the wearer from seeing as crisply as possible. With this added clarity and comfort comes increased complexity, causing toric contact lenses to cost a bit more than their standard spherical lens counterparts. The main cause for the bigger price tag is the time intensive prescription process. In order to properly fit a toric lens, an eye doctor must invest more time. The requisite added curves require more expertise from both the eye doctor (to get the fitting correct) and the manufacturer (to produce the lens properly). This means that not only will the exam and fitting fees run slightly higher, but that the lenses themselves will sport a steeper price as well. Fortunately for people with mild astigmatism, such as between zero and 1.00 diopter (either +1.00 or -1.00), it is usually recommended to simply wear a regular spherical RGP or even a spherical soft lens rather than the more complex toric contact lenses. The standard spherical lenses are rigid enough that the wearers cornea will actually conform to them more than they conform to it, effectively hiding the effect of the mild irregularity of the cornea (astigmatism). When using regular soft contact lenses, optometrists will often compensate for mild astigmatism by prescribing a slightly stronger prescription. Of course this may not work for everyone, so the doctor may need to use trial and error to find the right prescription and fitting for a specific patient. About the Author: Patricia Brown writes for several web sites, on consumer choices and shopping topics. Bausch Lomb Contact Lens

Get your Contact Lens questions answered... Subscribe to our Contact Lens Newsletter FREE! Your First Name: Your Email Address: Do you have an ezine? List your ezine in our Free Newsletter Directory!

 

Home  |   Ask the Contact Lens Expert  |   Contact Lens Archive  |   Contact Lens RSS Feeds  |   Advertise  |   Sitemap