Some people need the sturdy, custom-fitted options that only conventional toric contact lenses for astigmatism can provide. If that describes you, then you may want to consider Optima Toric lenses from Bausch & Lomb. These long-lasting lenses are for daily wear and removal, and will last for several months and possibly up to a year if you take good care of them.
There are many reasons why you might choose conventional lenses over disposable ones. Perhaps you need a custom solution that cannot be addressed by ordinary brands. Maybe you object to the idea of throwing away something that could be re-used because you believe that doing so damages the environment. Maybe you have special medical needs that can only be addressed by conventional lenses. Whatever the reason may be, there is no need for you to feel like you have to put up with an inferior product compared with people who wear disposable lenses.
Optima Toric lenses are designed to last a long time. They are carefully made with patented lathe-cutting technology. They offer a prism ballast with a heavier weight at the bottom of the lens to make sure it sits properly on the eye. They are made to order for a wide variety of custom prescriptions.
Bausch & Lomb uses a polymer called hefilcon B for making these lenses. It is a sturdy substance built to last instead of wearing down easily as do most disposable lenses. This polymer absorbs water when undergoing the nightly cleaning cycle, filling up to 45% of itself with water that helps the lenses feel silky smooth while you wear them during the day.
People who wear disposable lenses enjoy somewhat more lax requirements when it comes to lens care, especially if they throw away the lenses after several days of extended wear. The same is not true of conventional lenses that are supposed to last for many months. Additional care must be taken in order for lenses to survive that long and continue to feel great while worn. That includes the removal of protein and lipid deposits as well as undesirable bacteria, all of which could interfere with good eye health. By using one of a variety of enzymatic, chemical, and heating solutions on the market you ensure that your lenses will last as long as possible without causing you any problems. Your eye doctor is best positioned to recommend a cleaning and maintenance approach that works best for you.
When you have astigmatism, it means that your eye is not shaped like most others. It is more like an oval or egg rather than the perfect sphere it should be. That’s bad news because it causes light rays to scatter and bounce around instead of focusing correctly on the retina, which then leads to blurry vision. Optima Toric lenses reverse the problem by sitting atop the cornea and acting like a prism that bends light back to the retina where it belongs. The result you see is 20/20 vision once again.
In order for the lenses to do their job, they need to sit securely and in the correct position. That is, the heavier part of the lens must be towards the bottom. Sometimes the heavier part is hard to see, since we’re talking about just a slight thickening of the lens. Optima Toric lenses come with three etchings at the bottom of the lens that tell you immediately which side is down, so that you can insert them correctly.
So when should you replace these lenses? That is purely up to your eye doctor, and you should follow his or her advice. Carefully cleaning and disinfecting the lenses as directed will go a long way towards using them for a long time, as well as minimizing the chance of any eye problems.
If you’re looking for a set of custom-fitted lenses for astigmatism that will last a long time without having to throw them away, then ask your doctor about Optima Toric contact lenses. They are sturdy and specifically made to last months if you treat them well.
