If you suffer from astigmatism and also develop presbyopia as you get older you will need a way to correct both conditions. Toric bifocal contact lenses are made for just this situation. In the past the only option in this situation was to wear eyeglasses, but nowadays you can have the convenience of wearing contact lenses specially made for those with both these eye problems.

What is Presbyopia?

As we grow older the lenses in our eyes become more rigid and cannot focus so easily on closer objects. This is called presbyopia and it is something most of us will experience as we age. The first symptom most people notice is that they need to hold books and papers further and further before they come into focus. Bifocal glasses have been used to correct this problem for many years but until recently bifocal contact lenses were not an option. Toric contact lenses are used to correct this problem and nowadays there are many options to choose from.

You can obtain toric lenses in either rigid gas permeable (RGP) or soft types. They are different from other types of lenses as they are not perfectly spherical and need to be worn with one side up and the other down. They are usually made slightly thicker on the bottom so that they naturally take up a correct position.

What is Astigmatism?

This eye condition is caused by the cornea, or sometimes the lens, that is not perfectly spherical. This leads to blurred vision and may also cause eye strain or headaches. It can be corrected by wearing corrective glasses, surgery or by using toric contact lenses. Until recently toric contact lenses were only available in RGP types but nowadays soft lenses are also available. You can also find toric lenses in extended wear, daily or even colored contact lens types. Although soft contact lenses are easier to wear and usually more comfortable RGP toric lenses do give slightly better vision.

What about Toric Bifocal Contact Lenses?

If you have astigmatism and need to wear contact lenses to improve your vision you may find that as you age you also start to have problems focusing on close objects. So you will need a contact lens to correct both these problems and nowadays bifocal toric contact lenses are available. These types of bifocal lenses are a combination of toric lenses to correct the astigmatism and bifocal or multifocal lenses to correct the presbyopia.

Not everyone finds that toric bifocal lenses are suitable for them and fitting this type of lens is harder than other types so you will need to be patient while your ophthalmologist makes sure that you are getting the correct prescription. Lenses of this type will also be more expensive than many other types. For those with fairly severe astigmatism you will usually be offered an RGP lens.

Conclusion

Instead of wearing eyeglasses, those who suffer from astigmatism or presbyopia can now wear bifocal lenses which many people find much more convenient. Now even if you suffer from both of these conditions you can opt for toric bifocal contact lenses which, although more expensive than other types, will allow you to have great vision without the inconvenience of glasses.

Image by D'ashley-Heather

Many people find that contact lenses are much more convenient than glasses, easy to use and comfortable but they need to be looked after carefully. So what are the different types and what do you need to know to care for your contacts? We've put together this short guide to help you.

Different Types of Contact Lenses

Contact lenses come in a range of types including daillies, monthly or extended wear contact, hard and soft contacts. Soft lenses vary in the amount of water they contain which may be low, under 50% or high, over 50%. Hard lenses are gas permeable but much less popular noawadays than soft contact lenses.

Hard contact lenses last longer than soft contact lenses, perhaps lasting for years. Soft contact lenses, on the other hand, need replacing much more frequently depending on the type. Some kinds can be used for extended wear, up to 30 days and can be left in overnight. A big advantage if your vision is very poor! Daillies, as the name implies, must be removed and cleaned every day and cannot be left in overnight.

Contact lenses are designed to correct a range of vision problems. Toric lenses are designed to correct astigmatism, spherical lenses correct short-sightedness and multi-focal lenses correct presbyopia. If you wear bifocal glasses you can use multi-focal lenses as an alternative.

Whichever type of vision problem you have you will need to consult an optician to diagnose and prescribe the correct contact lenses for you. Most people nowadays purchase their contact lenses on the internet as they are often cheaper and you have a huge range to choose from.

Caring for Contact Lenses

1. Always wash your hands, rinse thoroughly and dry before putting in your lenses. Traces of sopa or chemicals on your hands or on your lenses can cause stinging or burning.
2. If you are having difficulty putting in your lenses try not to force them. Put some solution into your hand and rub the lens gently in it. Put a small amount of solution on the lens before you try again to insert it. It should now be easier to put in.
3. Always keep your lenses in fresh solution when you are not wearing them. The solution is desgined to remove protein so if you have the kind that need removing overnight soak them in the solution. Leaving the protein on the lenses can result in eye damage.
4. To keep your eyes moist you may need to use a saline solution or re-wetting drops. Some contact can dry out the eyes and cause discomfort. Keep some re-wetting solution with you so that you can easily remedy the problem should it occur.

As long as you care for your lenses correctly and only wear them for the length of time they are designed for you will find them comfortable and safe for your eyes. The freedom that comes with throwing away your glasses is wonderful, so if you have been hesitating about trying contact lenses, go ahead! You won't regret it!

Image by Dustin C Oliver