Seven Ways: Steps to improve toric contact lens fittings

Modern toric lenses work really well and so don’t hesitate to try them in low astigmats. Historically many of us were taught to undercorrect cyls in toric lenses but if the lens fits well, we shouldn’t be afraid to shoot for the moon. Anyone with a -0.75DC or above should certainly try a toric and often this group will have been ignored in the past by other practitioners. Don’t forget there are some patients with a -0.50DC cyl and high visual demand who can sometimes benefit for slightly over-correcting the cyl with a -0.75DC.

Ask yourself if this patient really needs a toric? Despite what we just said above, some patients with quite sizable cyls prefer spherical correction in contact lenses. Sometimes it’s the variability in the vision they can’t put up with or sometimes it’s that uncorrected cyl in presbyopes which provides a lot of help with near vision. Remember, the goal of lens fitting is to give the patient the vision they need for their lifestyle and not always achieve 6/4 R&L so you can pat yourself on the back for a job well done.