Eyewear and corrective lenses have evolved significantly in the last few years. From protective filters being infused into the lenses to corrective prisms, eyeglasses have come a long way. The constant innovation with respect to lenses is a factor that has played into the requirements of people with significant and minor eye conditions alike. Prescription lenses today can be adapted into treating eye conditions that you may have, apart from existing focal errors.
Investing in such lenses can be a solution for two problems within one pair of eyeglasses, making it a great alternative to invasive surgery. An example of the same is toric lenses, which are made with the purpose of correcting an eye condition called astigmatism. A patient with limited knowledge of the same may have to navigate between choosing between toric vs non toric lenses while picking corrective lenses. Since it is a common eye condition that often goes overlooked and can be easily treated, it helps to know the basic differences between toric vs non toric lenses.
Who Needs Toric Lenses?
To break down the differences between toric vs non toric lenses, you need to understand the fundamental reason toric lenses are often prescribed by ophthalmologists. Toric lenses are designed to benefit patients with Astigmatism. This is a common eye condition that is caused by a deformity in the shape of the cornea. The natural shape of a cornea is meant to be a perfectly round shape. In the case of Astigmatism, however, the cornea is found to be oval or egg-shaped. If the cornea were divided by two meridians across each other, a way to understand Astigmatism would be to note that one meridian is more curved than the other. In some cases, deformity in the shape of the lens inside the eye can also cause Astigmatism. This is rarer than its more common corneal condition.
In cases of Astigmatism, the corneal deformity causes a focal error in your eyesight, making you unable to focus on lights, as you may view them as blurred or linear in form. As mentioned earlier, this condition often coexists along with distance errors such as Myopia (short-sightedness) or Hyperopia (long-sightedness). It is easily diagnosed by doctors and is no cause for alarm since they are merely a refractive problem and not an eye disease. Therefore, while considering toric vs non toric lenses, you must take your eye condition into account and decide accordingly.
Differences between Toric vs Non Toric Lenses
Like most contact lenses, Toric contact lenses also come in different makes. Generally made from Hydrogel or Silicone hydrogel, these lenses are designed to be breathable and lightweight. However, you can also buy them as rigid glass permeable lenses which offer more clarity but may be less comfortable as compared to soft toric lenses. Apart from these factors, to decide between toric vs non toric contact lenses, you must keep the following differences in mind:
Purpose: Toric contact lenses are meant to correct every part of the lens, effectively rectifying the short-sightedness and the long-sightedness as well. They are designed to provide solutions for two eye conditions at once, while non toric lenses only correct distance errors.
Price: The most fundamental difference between toric and non toric lenses is the price as the former is bound to be more expensive than the latter due to the dual purpose of its design. Since toric lenses are often designed to correct Astigmatism along with the distance error of the eye, they can be more expensive than regular corrective contact lenses.
Fitting: While you can shop for non-toric lenses with the required prescription from an eye care brand such as Titan Eyeplus, toric lenses may require more trial and error. Once toric lenses have the right fitting, they are designed to rotate to the ideal angle of correction required.
Knowing the differences between toric vs non toric lenses, you can make an informed decision regarding the option best suited for your eyes. Since toric lenses require fittings, maintenance, and added cost, you must purchase a pair of your choice from reputed brands that offer the best brands and consumer experience in one space.