Top Toric Contact Brands

Toric contact lenses correct vision problems due to astigmatism, a condition characterized by a cornea that is not perfectly spherical, causing light to hit the eye differently and making vision slightly blurry. While gas permeable contacts are rigid and reshape your eye, soft toric contacts also correct mild astigmatism. After settling on soft contacts, the final decision is which brand of contacts you want to wear.

Acuvue

• Acuvue is the most commonly prescribed brand of contact lenses. Their toric contacts, Acuvue Oasys and Acuvue Advance for Astigmatism, feature stability zones that keep your contacts in position. Acuvue contacts also feature UV protection, a visibility tint that makes it easy to find your lenses when you drop them, and a small 1-2-3 printed on the side of the contacts so you can easily tell when they are inside-out. Acuvue Advance contacts for astigmatism can be worn daily for two weeks and require cleaning and storage every night, while Acuvue Oasys contacts--often prescribed for individuals with dry eyes--can be worn daily for two weeks or continuously for six days and nights--an easy choice for anyone who does not like to clean contacts every day.

Proclear

• Proclear toric contacts offer comfort for long days of wear, as they stay moist with PCTechnology. By incorporating phosphorylcholine molecules--which are found in your body's cell membranes--into their makeup, they attract water and remain wet for over 12 hours. Their surfaces resist protein and lipid deposits that cause eye irritation and infection, and they feature a material called omafilcon A that increases comfort and hydration. They also feature a visibility tint, making it easy to spot them when dropped. These contacts are daily wear only and should be replaced monthly.

SofLens

• SofLens offers daily wear contacts for astigmatism as well as toric contacts that can be worn continuously for seven days and nights. These contacts feature a patented design, Lo-Torque, that keeps them comfortable and in position. They also have a blue visibility tint for handling.

Focus

• Focus toric contacts are daily wear contacts with a monthly replacement cycle, but Focus also began offering the first daily toric contacts that you replace with a new pair every day. Dailies are the most hygienic type of contact lens and reduce the risk of eye infection, and they are convenient for individuals who dislike cleaning their contacts.

Air Optix

• Air Optix for Astigmatism are specially designed for breathability and comfort. For optimal eye health, your eyes need to breathe oxygen, and Air Optix contacts are made with silicone hydrogel--a common material in modern soft contacts--that enable your eyes to breathe naturally. These contacts also prevent a build-up of proteins and lipids that can cause eye infections. They are intended for daily wear and replaced every month, or they can be worn continuously, day and night, for up to six days.