Astigmatism is a common refractive error where the cornea is curved more like a football than a sphere. This irregular shape prevents light from focusing accurately onto the retina, causing vision to appear blurred or distorted. Toric contact lenses correct this condition by having two different refractive powers across the lens surface. Unlike standard lenses, a toric lens must maintain precise rotational alignment on the eye, meaning the application process requires attention to this alignment.
Essential Pre-Application Steps
Before handling any contact lens, hygiene is important to prevent transferring debris or microorganisms to the eye. Begin by washing your hands thoroughly with a mild, non-fragranced soap, cleaning under the fingernails. Dry your hands completely with a clean, lint-free towel, as residual moisture can cause the lens to stick to your finger.
Inspect the lens before placing it on your finger. It should be free of any tears, nicks, or debris that could cause discomfort. To check if the lens is inside out, hold it on your fingertip and look at the shape from the side. The edges should curve up like a shallow bowl or a “U” shape. If the edges flare outward, the lens is inverted and must be carefully flipped before use.
Establish a routine by always starting with the same eye (right or left) to prevent accidentally mixing up lenses, as prescriptions are often different for each eye. Place the lens onto the tip of your dominant index finger, ensuring it is centered and ready for insertion.
Finding the Lens Orientation Mark
The defining characteristic of a toric lens is its need for rotational stability, achieved through design features like prism ballast or dynamic stabilization zones. These features weight or shape the lens so it settles consistently in the same orientation after every blink. If the lens rotates slightly away from the prescribed axis, vision will become blurred because the corrective power is misaligned.
To aid in proper initial placement, toric lenses include subtle reference markings on the lens periphery. These marks are typically tiny scribe lines, dots, or etchings, often located at the 6 o’clock position or sometimes at the 3 and 9 o’clock positions. These reference points serve as a guide for the wearer to assess the lens’s on-eye rotation.
Before inserting the lens, locate these marks and orient the lens on your fingertip so they are positioned vertically, generally aligned with the 6 o’clock position. This initial vertical placement helps the stabilized zone begin its work immediately upon contact with the eye. Although the lens is designed to settle into the correct position after insertion, starting with the marks roughly vertical provides the best chance for quick and stable alignment.
Placing the Toric Lens on Your Eye
With the lens correctly oriented on your fingertip, use your non-dominant hand to prepare the eyelids. Use the middle finger of the hand holding the lens to gently pull down the lower eyelid, creating a wide opening. Simultaneously, use a clean finger from your non-dominant hand to hold the upper eyelid firmly against the brow bone, preventing a blink.
To minimize the urge to blink, keep both eyes open and look upward or straight ahead into a mirror. Carefully bring the lens toward your eye, maintaining the roughly vertical orientation of the reference marks. Gently place the lens onto the lower part of the eye, either directly on the iris or the white of the eye (sclera).
Once the lens makes contact with the eye surface, slowly withdraw your index finger. Keep your gaze steady before slowly releasing the lower eyelid first, followed by the upper eyelid. Blink gently a few times; this allows the lens to fully seat itself and the stabilization features to rotate the lens into the precise axis required for clear vision.
What If the Lens Doesn’t Feel Right?
Immediately after placement, temporary slight blurriness is normal, as a toric lens needs a moment to settle into its corrective position. The stabilization mechanism uses the tear film and eyelid pressure to rotate the lens, typically within the first few blinks. If vision remains consistently blurred or fluctuates significantly after a minute or two of blinking, the lens may be misaligned or dirty.
A primary cause of post-application discomfort or blur is debris trapped beneath the lens or slight rotation. If discomfort is mild, try blinking forcefully or applying a re-wetting drop to encourage the lens to settle properly. If the lens is severely uncomfortable or vision is unacceptably blurred after several minutes, carefully remove it. Inspect the lens for foreign particles, rinse it with fresh solution, and then re-apply, ensuring the initial vertical alignment is correct. If discomfort or blur persists after reinsertion, contact your eye care professional to check the lens fit or prescription.