How to Compare Toric Contact Lenses

Toric contact lenses help people experiencing astigmatism to see clearly without wearing glasses. With so many brands and types available, comparing toric lenses and their features is important to help you choose the best lenses for your vision care needs.

Soft vs. Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP)

• RGPs hold their shape better than soft contact lenses when placed on the cornea, resulting in crisper vision. Although most contact lens wearers do not notice a difference, a few choose RGPs over soft lenses just in case. Most patients experiencing mild astigmatism, however, often choose soft lenses because their need for astigmatic correction is less extreme.

Duration of Wear

• Dailies or disposable lenses must be discarded after every use. Most soft torics are available in daily varieties, but multifocal torics are generally not. Biweekly lenses can be worn every day for two weeks, but must be thoroughly cleaned and stored in sanitary fluid every night. Consider silicone hydrogel lenses if you plan to wear toric lenses for a 30 day period. Like biweekly lenses, these monthlies must be properly cleaned and stored after every use.

Price

• Toric lenses cost more than other lens types because they are difficult to produce and take more time to properly fit. The actual lenses cost more too. Some brands offer mail-in rebates to offset high costs. Shop around to find a brand and retailer that fits your budget and provides the best value for your money.