Do I need to worry about the lines on a Toric lens?

Question

Hello,

I started using contact lenses for the first time on Monday this week. In my left eye I have an astigmatism, and therefore am using a Toric lens, which I understand has some sort of x/y scale on it that has to orient properly etc.

Getting the regular contact lens in and out of my right eye is fine and I don't feel it all day. With the toric lens, I can get it in and out just fine, but the entire time it is in it feels like I have something in my eye... that uncomfortable sensation. After a while the eye gets pretty red and dry, too.

My question is this: is this just a matter of getting used to it? I'm going back on Monday for them to make any "adjustments" necessary, but in the meantime, does it matter HOW I put the toric lens in? I understand there is a line on the lens: do I have to put it in with the line facing a specific direction or does it adjust on its own?

Any way to get rid of the discomfort? Thanks for any help!

Answer 1

I had a trial with toric lenses and always felt something in my left eye. I also felt like I could see something in the outer corner. I told my optician and she said the brand were known to have a rim around the lenses and maybe it was that causing the discomfort, I tried Bausch and Lomb and they feel perfect. Have a word with your optician.  

Answer 2

No, it doesn't matter where the lines are when you put them in. Normally they will be at the bottom, but if they are at the top when you put it on, it will rotate to the proper position after a few blinks.

Torics won't feel as comfortable for awhile, that's normal also, they are thicker and it takes longer for them to settle right.

It often takes a full week before the toric will be as comfortable as the other one.

They don't get as soft and pliable either, so you will feel it more...but that usually goes away after several minutes, especially for the first few days until your cornea desensitizes o the feeling.

If you are getting good vision with it though, that is a very good sign...the comfort should follow soon.

Try putting a drop of solution right in the lens before you put it on, it will leak all over...but should help cushion it better.