Contact Lenses For Astigmatism Melbourne | Toric Lenses

Why A Round Lens Isn't Enough

Astigmatism means the front of the eye is shaped more like a rugby ball than a round ball, curving more steeply along one axis than the other. Light entering the eye focuses at two different points instead of one, which is why vision can blur or double at every distance, not just up close or far away.

A standard soft contact lens only corrects one amount of power, spread evenly in every direction. It can't fix that kind of irregular curve. A toric lens is built differently: it carries two separate powers on two different axes, and it's designed to stay rotationally still on the eye so those powers land in exactly the right place, blink after blink.

Close-up of a toric contact lens showing its stabilisation zone

FIG. 01 — TORIC LENS STABILISATION DESIGN

Toric Lens Options

From Everyday Daily Disposables To Fully Custom

We carry toric designs across every major supplier, so the lens is chosen around your astigmatism, not the other way around.

Daily Disposable Torics

A fresh, precisely rotated lens every day, with no cleaning routine. Covers most mild-to-moderate astigmatism comfortably.

Fortnightly & Monthly Torics

A more economical option for regular wearers, with the same dual-power, stabilised design in a reusable lens.

Custom Mark'ennovy Torics

Made to your exact axis in one-degree increments, for higher astigmatism or prescriptions standard ranges don't quite cover. Learn more.

Rigid & Hybrid Options

For irregular or higher astigmatism that soft lenses can't fully correct, a rigid or hybrid lens often does better.

Common Questions

Astigmatism Lens Questions We're Asked Often

Can contact lenses actually correct astigmatism?

Yes. A toric contact lens is built with two different amounts of correcting power on two different axes, matching the eye's own irregular curve. The lens is also weighted or shaped so it stays in the same rotational position on the eye, which is what a regular round lens can't do.

Why did I get told years ago that I couldn't wear contacts?

That's genuinely common, and it was often true at the time. Older soft toric designs were limited in the amount of astigmatism and the range of prescriptions they could stabilise properly. Current designs, including custom options from Mark'ennovy, cover a much wider range in finer increments, so it's worth trying again.

Do toric lenses feel different to regular soft lenses?

Most patients don't notice a difference once a well-fitted toric lens settles. Because the lens needs to sit in a specific rotation, fitting takes a little more care and sometimes a follow-up check, but day-to-day wear feels the same as any soft lens.

What if my astigmatism is too high or irregular for standard toric lenses?

Standard soft toric lenses cover most prescriptions, but for higher or irregular astigmatism we can move to a custom Mark'ennovy toric made to your exact axis in one-degree steps, or to a rigid or hybrid lens design, which corrects irregular astigmatism more precisely than any soft lens.

How much do toric contact lenses for astigmatism cost?

Standard soft toric lenses are typically priced a little above spherical lenses in the same brand and replacement schedule, reflecting the more complex manufacturing. Custom or high-astigmatism designs cost more again. We'll give you an exact price once we know your prescription and preferred wearing schedule.

Can astigmatism get worse if I don't correct it with contact lenses?

Astigmatism itself doesn't worsen simply because it goes uncorrected, it's a feature of your cornea's shape rather than a disease process. However, leaving it uncorrected means persistently blurred or distorted vision, and in some cases can contribute to eye strain and headaches, so we generally recommend correcting it whether in glasses or contact lenses.

Why do toric lenses take longer to fit than regular contacts?

A toric lens has to sit in a specific rotational position on your eye to align its correcting power with your astigmatism axis, so we check that alignment carefully and sometimes bring you back for a follow-up visit to confirm the lens is settling correctly. It's a small amount of extra time upfront that avoids blurry or fluctuating vision later.

Can I get daily disposable toric lenses for astigmatism?

Yes, daily disposable toric lenses are widely available and are often our first recommendation, combining astigmatism correction with the convenience and hygiene benefits of a fresh lens every day. We'll talk through daily, fortnightly and monthly toric options at your fitting.

Can I combine astigmatism correction with multifocal contact lenses?

Yes, multifocal toric lenses exist for patients who need both astigmatism and presbyopia correction, though the fitting is more involved than either correction on its own. See our multifocal contact lens page for more on how we approach that combination.

Where can I get fitted for toric contact lenses in Melbourne?

We fit toric and custom astigmatism lenses at our Kew East practice, including cases other practices have found too complex to fit successfully. We see patients from across Melbourne's inner east and further afield specifically for astigmatism contact lens fittings.

Contact Lenses Built For Astigmatism