clariti® 1 day toric lenses provide reliable vision correction1 and high levels of comfort for patients with astigmatism.2
In the early days of soft contact lenses, the first toric designs faced a steep learning curve.3,4
Although the first soft toric lens received FDA approval in 1978, initial entries were poorly made, difficult to prescribe and hard to fit.3,4 The lenses were thick and made from low water content hydrogels that caused ocular complications and discomfort.4 Further, the prism ballast and truncation features added to an uncomfortable wearing experience.4
Thanks to significant innovations in technology, material and design, today’s soft toric contact lenses provide clear, stable vision, a healthy wearing experience and comfort for a wide range of patients with astigmatism.3
“The most important attributes of a soft toric contact lens are comfort, stability, health and clarity,” says Dr. Jennifer Stewart, OD, founder of Look New Canaan, a private optometric practice in New Canaan, CT. “I think of each of those qualities as the base of a pyramid. If you’re missing one, the structure is weak and begins to fall apart.”
In this article, Dr. Stewart highlights the benefits of contemporary soft toric lenses and how clariti® 1 day toric delivers reliable vision correction1 and high levels of comfort for patients with astigmatism.2
Patient and ECP Must-haves in Modern Soft Toric Designs
A lens may offer the sharpest optics in the world, but if it isn’t comfortable, a patient won’t be able to experience pristine clear vision if they drop out due to discomfort, Dr. Stewart continues. On the other hand, if a lens is extremely comfortable but delivers poor vision, this will also factor into a poor wearing experience, she adds.
“A lens must also be healthy for me to even consider prescribing it,” Dr. Stewart notes. “This is almost a silent block of the pyramid. Patients don’t always consider it, but I let them know that health is at the forefront for me.”
One unique need for toric lenses is stability to ensure consistent visual performance.3 “If the lens has a lot of rotation and doesn’t give clear, consistent vision, it won’t be a positive experience for the patient,” she says. “The best lens should have a strong base and deliver on all these measures.”
Opportunities to Correct Even Low Levels of Astigmatism with Current Torics
A recent study that tracked international trends in soft toric lens fitting between 2000 and 2023 reported a substantial increase in fits.5 Efron et al. found that toric fits had almost doubled from roughly 24% of standard soft daily wear single vision lens fits in 2000 to about 46% in 2023.5 This increase suggests a growing confidence in contemporary toric lenses which can be fit reliably and comfortably due to the stability and reproducibility of the designs, even for those patients with low levels of astigmatism (≤1.00DC).6 Other studies found that toric lenses provided better vision than spherical equivalents,7,8 underscoring the importance of correcting all levels of astigmatism, even those on the lower end of the prescription range.
“Some practitioners have a knee-jerk reaction and automatically prescribe the spherical equivalent to patients with astigmatism when they should be fit in a toric lens,” Dr. Stewart suggests. “Sometimes this scenario even occurs in patients with higher levels of astigmatism."
Studies have found that uncorrected astigmatism, even at low levels, can cause decreased vision.9-12 For example, 1.00D of uncorrected astigmatism can result in a notable decrease in distance and near visual acuity, in addition to reading speed.9-12
“I always ask the question, ‘Why do we do this?’ We don’t ever prescribe the spherical equivalent in glasses, so why do we think patients prefer this in contact lenses?” she asks. “We often think patients don’t want the added expense of a lens for astigmatism, but I find patients value clear, crisp vision at all distances.”
Overall, patients prefer soft toric contact lens correction to the spherical equivalent.13A study by Cox et. al. enrolled 60 habitual contact lens wearers with low to moderate astigmatism who were randomly assigned to a soft toric or spherical equivalent contact lens.13After washout, subjects were fit into the alternative lens design. The investigators reported that toric contact lenses scored better in vision clarity and overall wearer satisfaction. Also of note, fitting time for toric lenses was only 1 minute longer than spherical lenses (roughly 10 minutes vs. about 9 minutes, respectively).
An Inside Look into clariti® 1 day toric’s Design
“clariti® 1 day toric is a perfect lens for patients transitioning from a spherical lens or are new to contact lens wear,” Dr. Stewart says. “clariti® 1 day toric gives them a fantastic, stable design with a healthy,* comfortable lens material2 and all at an affordable price."‡
clariti® 1 day toric delivers excellent optical performance and consistent correction of astigmatism. Additionally, clariti® 1 day toric’s smooth continuous ballast design helps provide optimal comfort and stability.
ECPs can rely on a 100% fit success rate with clariti® 1 day toric,14 and patients with astigmatism can enjoy comfort throughout the day with Wetloc® Technology.15 Found in the clariti® 1 day family of lenses, Wetloc® Technology creates a naturally wettable contact lens that helps keep contact lenses moist.15
Since handling is a top reason for dropout and notably in new wearers,16 patients fit in clariti® 1 day toric can enjoy the unbeaten handling that is a hallmark of the clariti® 1 day family.17
Rounding out the wearing experience, clariti® 1 day toric lenses allow up to two-times the oxygen to reach the eye of some conventional hydrogel 1 day lenses, which helps make for a healthy lens wearing experience.*†
“clariti® 1 day toric is an amazing lens that provides clear, crisp, consistent vision1 in a comfortable,2 healthy lens,* and all at a great price point,”‡ Dr. Stewart says. “clariti®1 day toric is my ‘work horse’ lens for astigmatism.”
Lean Into the Value of clariti® 1 day toric
A recent investigation that looked at the clinical performance and the “Willingness to Pay” for toric vs. spherical soft contact lenses in an astigmatic population found patients were willing to pay between 54% to 58% more for a monthly supply of daily disposable lenses if they experienced better or much better vision and similar comfort to spherical lenses.18
“The level of additional cost for toric lenses compared to their spherical equivalents is less than this in the market, so eye care professionals should consider that toric lenses are delivering a greater clinical return than anticipated by wearers for the relatively small increase in price,”18 the authors wrote in their paper.
Adds Dr. Stewart, “We often think price is the most important consideration for our patients and use this as an invisible barrier that decides the choices we make and the way we prescribe. As with any change, it can be uncomfortable for us to break old habits.”
In the toric category, clariti® 1 day toric offers incredible value to patients.‡
“My best advice? Take your next five patients with astigmatism, and pause,” Dr. Stewart continues. “Instead of automatically calculating the spherical equivalent and giving them a spherical lens, instead prescribe a lens that corrects their full astigmatism correction. If they have previously been wearing a spherical lens, let them know you are now going to give them a lens that will provide them with sharper, clearer vision and will match the prescription that is in their glasses. Don’t hesitate or apologize. Prescribe with confidence knowing you are giving them the opportunity to see and feel their best.”
Discover more about clariti® 1 day toric for your patients with astigmatism and find additional resources and learnings about toric contact lenses at CooperVision’s Online Success Center.
