Your eye doctor can correct your high astigmatism with toric lenses. Eye experts say that these lenses usually take more effort to fit than ordinary soft lenses. Usually, you may fit many types of toric lenses before you achieve the best level of comfort, fit, and vision. These custom-made toric lenses are for people who suffer from unusually high astigmatism. They may take longer to deliver and are costlier than the regular toric lenses. If you are considering these custom toric contact lenses, here are your available options.

Soft Toric Lenses

These are lenses made of silicone hydrogel materials that can decrease problems derived from corneal hypoxia. Studies suggest that if you have a refractive error, which has a high astigmatism element, then you need custom-made toric lenses. You should replace these lenses annually, monthly, or quarterly.

Fitting custom-made toric lenses may take longer. Diagnostic fitting may take time because your eye doctor must be certain about the proper fit. Eye experts usually evaluate the rotational ability and the on-eye rotation of the lens. This ensures your comfort the moment you wear your soft toric lenses.

The stability of soft toric lenses is vital if you have higher levels of astigmatism. Studies reveal that soft toric lens instability may cause blurred vision. This happens because the lens rotates away from its normal spot repeatedly. The unstable rotation usually occurs if the lens is too loose. The toric lens can then be adjusted by increasing the lens diameter or making the base curve steeper.

Toric Corneal Gas Permeable Lenses

Toric corneal gas permeable (GP) lenses are made for patients with elevated refractive astigmatism and ametropia. The parameters of these lenses can be customized to fit your high level of prescription. If your prescription is not attainable through soft toric lenses, toric corneal GP lenses are usually recommended by eye specialists. Keep in mind that these lenses are not for you if you just wear contact lenses occasionally or if you frequent windy and dusty places.

If most of your astigmatism is caused by corneal toricity, the formed tear lens by the cornea and the GP lens provides the required amending power. There are cases when your residual astigmatism cannot be treated with round GP lenses. This is when a front surface toric corneal GP contact lens has to be used.

SPE Lenses

The spherical power effect (SPE) lens is a known type of bitoric lens that acts like a round corneal GP lens. SPE lenses can rotate on your eye, without triggering undesirable oblique astigmatism.

 

Scleral GP Lenses

Also known as hybrid contact lenses, scleral GP contact lenses provide accurate vision if your lifestyle is not suitable for using toric corneal GP lenses. Scleral GP lenses are good for people with normal corneas or irregular corneas.

Customized toric lenses can improve your high astigmatism significantly. At Dr. Romeu Eye Associates, we can help determine which type of toric contact lens you should wear. We could even offer other contact lens options based on your lifestyle and needs. If you want to set up an appointment, please feel free to call us at (201) 868-3603. You can also opt to visit our clinic in West New York, New Jersey, for a walk-in consultation.