Not everyone wears the same type of contact lens. And this is not only about color or one-day. So, for example, sometimes special contact lenses are needed - toric. This is due to a disease such as astigmatism. We suggest that you understand what toric contact lenses mean, their selection and wearing features.
What is astigmatism?
Astigmatism is a condition where the cornea or lens has an irregular shape, as a result of which the light is refracted differently and the image is blurred.
To determine the degree of the disease, it is necessary to identify the degree of the meridian through which the rays of light pass. The scale varies from zero to one hundred eighty degrees.
The causes of astigmatism cannot be determined exactly. It can be congenital or manifest over time.
If no measures are taken, then astigmatism will develop and may be accompanied by such unpleasant things as:
- strabismus;
- frequent headaches;
- itching and cutting sensation in the eyes.
It is treated with a disease in the following way:
- wearing special glasses;
- orthokeratology;
- laser surgery;
- wearing toric lenses.
Toric lenses
All these special lenses are made of the same material as simple ones, which are called spherical. So then what does toric contact lenses mean? The point is that they consist of two optical forces whose curvature is at different angles. One is needed to correct astigmatism, the other is myopia or hyperopia. They are arranged so that the lens does not move from the cornea during blinking or eye movement. That is, if a spherical lens can freely move along the cornea, then for toric it is unacceptable. They should be fixed on the eye.
Toric contact lenses are of the following types:
- soft or hard;
- one day or long wear;
- colored.
Doctors recommend wearing toric lenses to her only to patients with astigmatism, but also with diseases such as:
- cataract;
- diseases and injuries of the cornea.
The appearance of toric lenses is combined spherical and cylindrical shapes.
The composition of the lens is divided into hydrogel and silicone-hydrogel. The main difference is the way air is passed: through water or a silicone component.
Types of Contact Lenses
Today's toric contact lens market is as follows:
1. "Johnson and Johnson" (Johnson & Johnson):
- "Acuvue Oasys for Astigmatism" (Acuvue Oasys for Astigmatism);
- "One Day Acuvue Moist for Astigmatism" (1 Day Acuvue Moist for Astigmatism);
- "Acuvue Advance for Astigmatism" (Acuvue Advance for Astigmatism).
2. "Cooper Vision" (CooperVision) :
- "Toric Biofinit" (Biofinity Toric);
- "Biomedics toric" (Biomedics Toric);
- "Proclia toric" (Proclear Toric);
- "Avaira Toric" (Avaira Toric);
- Frequancy 55 Toric Xer (Frequency 55 Toric XR);
- Proclia Toric Xer (Proclear Toric XR);
- Vertex Toric (Vertex Toric);
- "Ultra Flex Toric" (UltraFlex Toric);
- "Preference Toric" (Preference Toric);
- Vertex Toric Xer (Vertex Toric XR);
- Clariti One Day Toric (Clariti 1day toric);
- "Kli Site One-Day Toric" (ClearSight 1 Day Toric).
3. "Alcon" (Alcon):
- "Air Optix for Astigmatism" (Air Optix for Astigmatism);
- "Dailies Aqua Comfort Plus Toric" (Dailies AquaComfort Plus Toric);
- "Focus Dailies Toric" (Focus Dailies Toric).
4. "Bausch and Lomb" (Bausch & Lomb):
- "Soft lenses for astigmatism" (SofLens For Astigmatism);
- "Pur Vision Toric" (PureVision Toric);
- "PureVision 2 for Astigmatism" (PureVision 2 for Astigmatism);
- "Soft lenses Daily Disposable for Astigmatism" (SofLens Daily Disposable for Astigmatism);
- "Optima toric" (Optima Toric).
5. "X-Cel" (X-Cel):
- "Extreme Ashdvao 54%" (Extreme H2O 54%);
- "Extreme Ashdwao 54% Toric EmC" (Extreme H2O 54% Toric MC).
Daily and day lenses
Toric Contact Lenses are the cheapest option. They must be removed every day at night and lowered into a container with a special solution in which they will be disinfected. You also need to adhere to the schedule of the planned replacement. Wear time varies depending on the type and brand - from two weeks to three months.
One-day toric contact lenses change every day. They cost more, because you constantly need a new pair. But these lenses are good in that they do not accumulate biological deposits and there is no constant need for their disinfection.
Soft and hard lenses
Rigid toric contact lenses are also called gas permeable. All due to the fact that they are made from special polymers that have high oxygen conductivity.
Their advantage is that they hold their shape very well on the eye. Sometimes doctors advise putting on such lenses at night, and removing them in the morning. During this time, they act on the cornea so that it becomes slightly flat. As a result, the curvature around increases and vision becomes clearer. This effect persists throughout the day.
Soft toric contact lenses are a relative novelty in the market. They are also gas permeable as well as rigid, but differ in their structure. Soft lenses are a thin film in which one wall exactly repeats the shape of the cornea.
They are suitable for daily wear, but need constant cleaning and moisturizing. The main advantage of soft lenses over hard ones is the absence of a period of habituation and adaptation.
Color contact lenses
Are there toric colored contact lenses? The answer is yes, they exist. Only not all types have a wide color palette. So, for example, some one-day toric colored contact lenses are only in some shades, and long-term wearing - others.
New color lenses from Korea and China are now appearing on the market. They are much inferior in quality to special toric ones, but have a wide palette. Such lenses are suitable only for short-term wear (no more than six to eight hours).
Toric Contact Lenses: Selection
The choice of any lens is based on individual needs and vision. The same rule applies to toric lenses.
The main criteria that influence the choice:
- Will you sleep in the lenses?
- Do you need lenses to wear all day or from time to time?
- What is your lifestyle?
- Your age.
If you can answer these questions yourself, so that the lens does not bring discomfort and increases the level of vision, it is necessary to conduct a series of tests with an optometrist. This is the main difficulty in wearing toric lenses. As a rule, ophthalmologists measure all data using modern computer equipment:
- refraction (visual acuity);
- corneal conditions;
- degrees of deviation of the meridian.
In some cases, doctors give the patient trial sets of toric lenses.
After the ophthalmologist wrote you a prescription, you can buy contact lenses from time to time on your own (in optics or online stores). But after some time you will need to contact the doctor again. You may need to adjust the data.
Lens cost
Prices for a toric contact lens range are higher than simple spherical ones. This is due to their specificity.
Also, such lenses are more expensive than special glasses. But the high cost is justified by such advantages as high visual acuity and convenience.
As for the price inside the line, the cost of silicone hydrogel will be slightly higher than hydrogel.
Toric contact lenses: reviews
Key points that people wearing toric lenses notice:
- For allergy sufferers and people with sensitive eyes, one-day contact lenses are the most suitable option.
- Toric lenses have a big advantage over glasses. The picture is clearer and there are no visual field limitations.
- Hard lenses are better fixed and retain their shape, but when you hit a speck of dust or speck in the eye, very strong discomfort is felt.
- Soft toric lenses are more convenient and comfortable, but they do not provide high definition vision.
- Always have moisturizing drops with you. When the lens dries up, discomfort occurs in the eye and visual acuity decreases.
- It is much more convenient to wear lenses than glasses.
- For convenience, it is better to have several types of lenses. For example, one-day and long wear.
- The worse the vision, the thicker the lens. In this regard, there is often discomfort.
- After prolonged wearing of toric lenses, corneal astigmatism is slightly corrected.
- Toric lenses are suitable even for children who often do not like to wear glasses.
- Thanks to toric lenses, there is no change in lifestyle. For example, you can also actively engage in sports.
It is worth remembering that all reviews are based only on the personal feelings of the patients. Therefore, you cannot critically tune in to any particular type of toric lenses. You may find that look that causes irritation and discomfort in others.