What Are Toric Contact Lenses?

Toric contact lenses are specially designed lenses used to correct astigmatism. Unlike standard spherical contact lenses, which have the same focusing power around the lens, toric lenses contain different powers in different parts of the lens. This allows them to correct astigmatism as well as short-sightedness or long-sightedness.

Astigmatism occurs when the cornea or lens inside the eye has an uneven curvature. Instead of light focusing precisely on the retina, it is focused unevenly, which can cause blurred or distorted vision.

Because a toric contact lens needs to correct this uneven focus in a particular direction, it must also remain in the correct position on your eye. Modern toric lenses use special designs to help keep the lens stable while you blink and move your eyes — we'll explain how this works below.

If you'd like to know more about the condition itself, including its causes, symptoms and treatment, read our complete guide to astigmatism.

How Do Toric Contact Lenses Correct Astigmatism?

A standard spherical contact lens has the same focusing power around the lens. A toric contact lens is different because it contains different focusing powers in different parts of the lens, allowing it to correct the uneven way light is focused by an eye with astigmatism.

Think of the lens as providing two corrections at the same time: one can correct short-sightedness or long-sightedness, while the additional cylinder power corrects the astigmatism.

For this correction to work properly, the cylinder power must sit at the correct angle on the eye. This is why your toric contact lens prescription includes an AXIS measurement as well as CYL (cylinder) power.

If a toric lens rotates too far from its intended position, the correction can become misaligned and your vision may temporarily become blurred. Toric lenses are therefore specially designed to remain stable on the eye while still allowing the normal movement needed for comfortable contact lens wear.

How Do Toric Lenses Stay in the Correct Position?

Because a toric contact lens has different powers in different parts of the lens, it needs to remain at a predictable angle on your eye to provide clear, stable vision. If it rotates too far, the astigmatism correction moves away from the required axis and your vision may become temporarily blurred.

To help prevent this, toric contact lenses have special stabilisation features built into their design. These use carefully positioned areas of different thickness so that the lens interacts with your eyelids as you blink, helping it settle into and maintain the intended position.

Different manufacturers use different approaches. You may come across terms such as prism ballast, peri-ballast, thin-zone or dynamic stabilisation. Although the designs differ, they have the same basic purpose: to minimise unwanted rotation and keep the cylinder correction correctly orientated on the eye.

A small amount of movement is normal with a soft contact lens. What matters is that a toric lens settles into a consistent, stable position. This is one of the things your optometrist checks when fitting toric lenses.

What Do CYL and AXIS Mean on a Toric Prescription?

If you wear toric contact lenses, your prescription will include two additional measurements — CYL (cylinder) and AXIS — which are used to correct your astigmatism.

CYL (Cylinder) tells you the amount of lens power needed to correct your astigmatism. Generally, the larger the cylinder value, the greater the amount of astigmatism that needs correcting.

AXIS tells you the orientation of that cylinder correction. It is measured in degrees from 0 to 180 and ensures the astigmatism correction is positioned in the correct direction.

You'll also see SPH (Sphere) on your prescription. This is the power used to correct short-sightedness or long-sightedness. Together, SPH, CYL and AXIS tell your optometrist which powers your toric lens needs and how the astigmatism correction should be orientated.

Your contact lens prescription may contain other measurements, such as BC (base curve) and DIA (diameter), but these relate to the fit and size of the contact lens rather than the amount of astigmatism.

Are Toric Contact Lenses Easy to Get Used To?

For most people, modern soft toric contact lenses are relatively easy to get used to, particularly when the lens fits well and remains stable on the eye.

As with any new contact lenses, you may initially be aware of the lenses or need a little time to become confident inserting and removing them. With toric lenses, your optometrist will also check that the lens settles into the correct position and provides clear, stable vision.

You may notice occasional brief changes in vision if the lens moves or rotates, particularly when blinking or changing the direction of your gaze. A well-fitted toric lens should quickly return to its intended position. Different toric lens designs can behave differently on the eye, which is one reason your optometrist may trial more than one lens before deciding which works best for you.

Toric lenses once had a reputation for being more difficult to fit, but modern designs have made successful fitting much more straightforward. In one clinical study of people with astigmatism, 88% of the toric lenses were successfully fitted at the first attempt, including people who were new to contact lenses or had previously stopped wearing them.

If your vision remains blurry, fluctuates frequently, or the lenses continue to feel uncomfortable, speak to your optometrist rather than simply trying to “get used to” them. The lens prescription, fit or design may need adjusting.

Why Are Toric Contact Lenses More Expensive?

Toric contact lenses are usually more expensive than standard spherical contact lenses because their design and manufacture are more complex. As well as correcting short-sightedness or long-sightedness, a toric lens must provide the additional cylinder correction for astigmatism and remain correctly orientated on the eye.

There are also many more prescription combinations to manufacture. A toric lens may be available in numerous SPH, CYL and AXIS combinations, meaning manufacturers need to produce and stock a much larger range of individual lens powers than they do for an equivalent spherical lens.

Because fewer wearers require each individual combination, production volumes for a particular toric prescription can also be lower. Together, the more specialised lens design and much broader prescription range help explain why toric lenses generally cost more.

The amount you pay will also depend on the brand and replacement schedule you choose. Daily disposable toric lenses usually cost more over a year than reusable options, while two-weekly or monthly toric lenses can be more economical for regular wear, although you'll also need contact lens solution and a lens case.

What Are the Best Contact Lenses for Astigmatism?

Toric contact lenses are specifically designed to correct astigmatism and are the main contact lens option for people who need astigmatic correction.

There are many different types of toric contact lenses, so choosing the best one isn't simply a matter of choosing a particular brand. Toric lenses can differ in their material, replacement schedule, prescription range and stabilisation design, and the right option will depend on your eyes, prescription and how you want to wear your lenses.

For many wearers, a soft toric lens provides the required correction and is available as a daily disposable, two-weekly or monthly lens. Other people may benefit from RGP, hybrid or specialist lenses, particularly where the prescription or nature of the astigmatism requires a different approach.

RGP lenses are an interesting exception: because they retain their shape on the eye, some can correct corneal astigmatism without requiring a toric design, while toric RGP designs are also available when needed.

The best contact lens for astigmatism is therefore one that provides clear, stable vision, fits your eyes correctly and suits your individual wearing needs.

There are now many options available, so let's look at the different types.

What Types of Toric Contact Lenses Are Available?

Toric contact lenses are available in a wide range of designs, materials and replacement schedules. For most people wearing soft toric lenses, the main choice will be between daily disposable, two-weekly and monthly lenses. Toric lenses are also available in both traditional hydrogel and silicone hydrogel materials.

Daily Toric Contact Lenses

Daily toric lenses are worn once and disposed of after use, with a fresh pair inserted the next time you wear contact lenses. They require no cleaning or overnight storage, making them a convenient option for both regular and occasional wear.

They can be particularly useful if you want contact lenses for sport, social occasions or part-time wear, as you don't need to keep track of when a reusable pair was opened.

Daily disposables also minimise the opportunity for deposits to accumulate on a reused lens, although this doesn't mean that a daily lens is automatically the best or most comfortable option for every wearer.

Two-Weekly Toric Contact Lenses

Two-weekly toric lenses are reusable lenses that are replaced with a fresh pair every 14 days. They are removed each night, cleaned and disinfected with the recommended contact lens solution, then stored until they are worn again.

They provide a middle ground between daily disposables and monthly lenses and may suit people who wear lenses regularly and prefer reusable lenses with a short replacement schedule.

Monthly Toric Contact Lenses

Monthly toric lenses are reusable lenses that are replaced one month after opening, according to the manufacturer's replacement schedule. For normal daily wear, they should be removed each night, cleaned, disinfected and stored in fresh contact lens solution before being worn again.

They can be an economical choice for people who wear contact lenses regularly and are happy to follow the required cleaning and storage routine.

Some monthly toric lenses are also approved for extended or overnight wear, but this doesn't apply to every monthly toric lens. Sleeping in contact lenses should only be considered with a lens specifically approved for that purpose and when your optometrist has recommended it.

What About Other Types of Contact Lenses for Astigmatism?

Soft disposable toric lenses aren't the only option. Rigid gas permeable (RGP), hybrid and specialist lenses can also be used to correct certain types or amounts of astigmatism. We'll look at these specialist options in more detail later in this guide.

Which Type of Toric Contact Lens Is Right for You?

There isn't one type of toric contact lens that's right for everyone. Your prescription, eye health, how often you wear contact lenses, lifestyle, budget and how well a particular lens fits and stabilises on your eye can all influence which option is most suitable.

However, replacement schedule isn't the only consideration. Two toric lenses with apparently similar prescriptions can use different materials, fits and stabilisation designs and may behave differently on your eye.

Your optometrist will assess the lens's position and movement, rotational stability, vision and comfort before deciding which lens is suitable for you.

What About RGP, Hybrid and Scleral Contact Lenses?

Most people with regular astigmatism can be successfully fitted with soft toric contact lenses, but they aren't the only option. Rigid gas permeable (RGP), hybrid and scleral lenses can be particularly useful for higher prescriptions, irregular astigmatism or when a conventional soft toric lens doesn't provide sufficiently clear or stable vision.

Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Lenses

RGP lenses are smaller, rigid lenses that maintain their shape rather than moulding to the surface of the cornea like a soft lens.

One interesting advantage is that a standard spherical RGP lens can correct some corneal astigmatism without requiring a toric design. The tears between the rigid lens and the cornea create a smooth optical surface — often called a tear lens — which can neutralise some of the irregularity in the shape of the cornea.

Where additional correction is needed, toric RGP designs are also available. RGP lenses can provide excellent visual correction for higher or more complex astigmatism, although they generally require a longer period of adaptation than soft contact lenses.

Hybrid Contact Lenses

Hybrid contact lenses combine a rigid gas permeable centre with a soft outer skirt. The aim is to provide the optical qualities of a rigid lens while offering some of the fitting and comfort characteristics associated with a soft lens.

They can be useful for some people with irregular astigmatism or irregular corneal shapes, including cases where conventional RGP lenses haven't been successful or well tolerated. Modern hybrid designs have improved considerably compared with earlier generations, although they still require specialist fitting.

Scleral Contact Lenses

Scleral lenses are larger rigid gas permeable lenses that vault over the cornea and rest on the sclera — the white part of the eye. The space between the lens and the cornea is filled with fluid, creating a smooth optical surface that can provide clear vision even when the cornea itself has an irregular shape.

They are particularly useful for some people with high or irregular astigmatism and conditions that cause an irregular corneal surface, such as keratoconus or following certain types of corneal surgery.

RGP, hybrid and scleral lenses aren't necessary for most straightforward cases of astigmatism, but they provide valuable alternatives when a standard soft toric lens isn't the best solution. Because their fitting can be more complex, RGP, hybrid and scleral lenses need to be assessed and fitted by an appropriately experienced eye care professional.

Who Can Wear Toric Contact Lenses?

Most people with astigmatism can wear contact lenses, and having astigmatism doesn't mean you have to rely on glasses. Modern toric lenses are available in a wide range of prescriptions, materials and designs, including options for people who are also short-sighted or long-sighted.

Whether a particular toric lens is suitable for you depends on more than your prescription alone. Your optometrist will assess factors such as your eye health, the shape of your eyes, your tear film, your visual needs and how the lens fits and stabilises on your eye before recommending an appropriate lens.

People with higher or more complex astigmatism may have fewer choices among standard soft toric lenses, but this doesn't necessarily mean they can't wear contact lenses. Custom-made soft lenses, RGP, hybrid or scleral lenses can provide additional options where conventional soft toric lenses aren't suitable.

Toric contact lenses can also be suitable if you develop presbyopia and need help seeing clearly at both near and far distances. Multifocal toric contact lenses combine correction for astigmatism with different viewing distances, although availability will depend on your individual prescription and fitting requirements.

The best way to find out whether toric contact lenses are suitable for you is to have a contact lens fitting with a qualified eye care professional. They can assess your eyes, discuss how and when you want to wear lenses, and trial suitable options to find a lens that provides good vision, fit and comfort.

Our Optometrist's Advice

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Toric Contact Lenses Rotate?

Yes. Soft toric lenses can rotate slightly as you blink or move your eyes. They are designed to settle back into a stable position so the astigmatism correction remains correctly orientated. If a lens rotates excessively or doesn't settle consistently, your vision may fluctuate and a different fit or toric design may be needed.

Why Does My Vision Sometimes Go Blurry With Toric Contact Lenses?

Temporary blurring can occur if a toric lens moves or rotates and the cylinder correction shifts away from the required axis. Your vision should clear again as a well-fitting lens settles back into position. If your vision is frequently blurry or unstable, ask your optometrist to check the lens fit and prescription rather than assuming you simply need to get used to it.

Are Toric Contact Lenses Harder to Put In and Take Out?

Not usually. Soft toric lenses are inserted and removed in much the same way as standard soft contact lenses. You don't normally need to position the axis yourself when inserting the lens — its stabilisation design helps it settle into the intended orientation on your eye.

Can I Wear Toric Contact Lenses If I Have a High Astigmatism?

Often, yes. Toric lenses are available across a wide range of prescriptions, and custom-made or specialist lenses can provide additional options for higher or more complex astigmatism. RGP, hybrid or scleral lenses may also be considered when conventional soft toric lenses don't provide suitable correction.

Can You Get Daily Toric Contact Lenses?

Yes. Toric contact lenses are available as daily disposables as well as reusable lenses, including two-weekly and monthly options. The range available to you will depend on your prescription and fitting requirements.

Can You Sleep in Toric Contact Lenses?

Only if the particular lens is specifically approved for overnight or extended wear and your eye care professional has advised you that overnight wear is suitable. Most toric lenses are intended for daytime wear. Sleeping in contact lenses increases the risk of eye infection, including with lenses approved for extended wear.

Can You Get Multifocal Toric Contact Lenses?

Yes. Multifocal toric lenses can correct astigmatism while also providing vision correction at different distances for people with presbyopia. Availability depends on your prescription and fitting requirements.

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