What is a Toric Contact Lens?

A toric contact lens is a lens that is shaped in a particular way. While a standard contact lens has a spherical surface, like the side of a beach ball, a toric contact lens has a geometric shape that looks more like a doughnut. These contact lenses create different focusing powers on the horizontal and vertical orientations. The refractive strength will decrease or increase gradually as you move around the lens. If you live in Stratford, Bridgeport, or the surrounding communities, one of our optometrists at Family Vision Center can let you know if toric contact lenses will be helpful to you after an eye exam.

Choosing Toric Contact Lenses

Toric contact lenses are used to help correct astigmatism issues that come from the different curvature of the cornea. Toric contact lenses, just like any other contact lenses, need to be prescribed by your eye doctor who can help choose the right lenses for your vision correction needs. Getting a fitting for toric contacts is especially important due to their orientation after an eye exam. These lenses need to stay in your eye the correct way. The lenses are designed with features that can help the lenses stay put in your eye, including thin-thick zones and lens truncation. If the lenses don’t fit well then your vision won’t be as clear as it should be.

There are different types of toric contacts. These lenses also address some other visual issues and come in every wearing schedule. You can find disposable toric contact lenses, as well as colored ones. You can find these lenses in both rigid gas permeable and hard lenses. While the RGP lenses can be better at staying put in the eye, there is usually a longer adjustment time and they can be more delicate and drier.

It’s Time to Visit an Eye Doctor

If you are interested in toric contact lenses, you will first need an eye exam. Your optometrist in Stratford or Bridgeport at Family Vision Center can help you find the right ones to make sure you have crystal clear vision. Call us today at our Stratford location at (203) 377-2020 or our Bridgeport location at (203) 333-2020.