While fitting astigmatic patients with contact lenses can require additional considerations, a recent study has challenged the perception that toric contact lenses might be more difficult to fit.
A research report released at this year’s Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) annual meeting, “Impact of modification of toric power on soft toric lens fit,” concluded that contact lenses “made with the same material and parameters, up to ±1.00DC variation in toric power showed no statistical or clinically significant difference in fitting characteristics, particularly in toric orientation.
This suggests ECPs can confidently fit soft toric contact lenses of the same type within ±1.00DC of the exact prescription, while maintaining the original fitting profile. Such flexibility may help streamline the fitting process and reduce the number of additional appointments.”
Mike Shaheen, OD, of Hills & Dales Vision in Canton, Ohio, adds that eye care professionals might hesitate when it comes to fitting astigmatic patients with contact lenses due to chair time concerns. “We’ll reach for the quick, easy fix, like a spherical equivalent, because we’re nervous that torics might take too long.”
Putting Their Money Where Their Vision Is
Toric contact lens patients, however, can create a practice opportunity. Astigmatism is one reason “patients have stopped wearing contact lenses,” says Mark Schaeffer, OD, FAAO, clinical excellence captain at MyEyeDr in Birmingham, Ala., and VP of the Intrepid Eye Society.
Toric contact lenses not only enable more patients to see more clearly, but they simultaneously benefit the practice’s bottom line. A recently released study from the Contact Lens Institute indicates that soft contact lens patients, including those with astigmatism, are significantly more profitable for the practice than patients who only wear eyeglasses. For patients with astigmatism, the average annual customer-level profit for torics is $453, according to four years of data from 20 U.S.-based eye care practices. This compares to $244 for single vision and $376 for progressive glasses patients.
“The expanded toric parameters will be instrumental in making it easier to find the right fit, streamline appointments, and ultimately help more patients fit in lenses.”
Torrey J. Carlson, OD
What’s New in Toric Contact Lenses?
Another toric contact lens concern for ECPs: “We worry whether a lens comes in the parameters for that patient,” Dr. Shaheen says.
However, recently introduced expanded toric contact lens parameters help to resolve this issue. “I don’t want to have to wonder if I can fit a patient due to their prescription for a toric lens, so expanded parameters help us fit people more accurately,” adds Dr. Shaheen.
For example, CooperVision has added more than 1,500 new parameters of Biofinity XR toric contact lenses to its domestic inventory. This toric lens is now available for next-day shipping in both trial lenses and six-packs.
Also, Johnson & Johnson announced an expanded parameter range up to -2.75D cylinder for ACUVUE OASYS 1-Day for Astigmatism contact lenses. “Expanding ACUVUE OASYS 1-Day for Astigmatism parameters is an important step in addressing the needs of people with astigmatism, which represents nearly half of all patients,” says Shawn Millerick, president, Americas, Vision, Johnson & Johnson. “By broadening parameter availability, we’re enabling eye care professionals to fit more patients with daily contact lenses.”
Earlier this year, Johnson & Johnson expanded the parameter range for ACUVUE VITA for Astigmatism monthly contact lens as well. This allows optometrists to fit nearly 96% of astigmatic patients, offering around-the-clock coverage in 10-degree increments up to -2.75D cylinder. Plus, ACUVUE OASYS MAX 1-Day for Astigmatism and ACUVUE OASYS MAX 1-Day MULTIFOCAL for Astigmatism lenses launched last year.
At AOA 2026, Alcon announced the expansion of its toric contact lens offerings for PRECISION1, PRECISION7, and TOTAL30, delivering broad parameter availability across 1-day, 1-week, and 1-month replacement lenses, respectively. These expanded parameters will cover 99% of astigmatic eyes, according to the company.
“In practice, a lack of parameter options can be a barrier to fitting some astigmatic patients in contact lenses,” says Torrey J. Carlson, OD, multi-practice owner and founder of Dr. Torrey J. Carlson & Associates, with eight locations in Tennessee. “The expanded toric parameters will be instrumental in making it easier to find the right fit, streamline appointments, and ultimately help more patients fit in lenses.”
In addition, with the FDA clearance for Euclid Vision Corp.’s Be Free Day toric lenses, there is now a daily disposable multifocal toric option for patients with myopia and astigmatism. “The Be Free Day spherical lens has been a tremendous success in my practice since it launched,” says Brianna Rhue, OD, FAAO, a clinical innovator in myopia management and early adopter of Be Free lenses. “With a toric lens option, it gives me another way to continue supporting my patients with myopia and astigmatism—while keeping the fitting experience familiar.”
“Just take a few minutes in the phoropter and show them the spherical equivalent versus their actual toric prescription. They’re going to like the way they see better.”
Mike Shaheen, OD
Show Patients the Difference
For ECPs looking to demonstrate the vision benefits of toric contact lenses for patients, “Just take a few minutes in the phoropter and show them the spherical equivalent versus their actual toric prescription,” Dr. Shaheen says. “They’re going to like the way they see better. Even without the demonstration, I never had pushback on patients wanting to see more clearly.”
With expanded parameters evidence of their financial value, today’s toric contact lenses give ECPs an opportunity to move beyond longstanding concerns and fit more astigmatic patients with lenses that meet their visual needs.