Biofinity toric contact lenses are soft contacts specially designed to correct astigmatism. The lenses are made by CooperVision.
Astigmatism is a common eye condition in which the cornea of the eye is slightly misshapen and not perfectly round, causing light to be refracted to different points in the eye and images both near and far to appear blurry.
If you’ve put off getting contacts because you thought they wouldn’t work with your astigmatism, think again. There are many contact lens options available to people with astigmatism.
CooperVision makes a number of soft lenses that correct astigmatism — including Biofinity toric lenses and Biofinity XR toric lenses.
SEE RELATED: Contact lenses for astigmatism: Toric, GP and hybrid lenses
What makes Biofinity toric contacts good for astigmatism?
Biofinity toric lenses have several attributes that make them good for people with astigmatism:
- They contain different lens powers in different parts of the lens to correct astigmatism (rather than a single lens power throughout the entire lens to correct nearsightedness or farsightedness).
- They are made with silicone hydrogel, which gives them great breathability and high water absorption, making them comfortable for all-day use.
- They have a prism ballast stabilized design, which is a fancy way of saying they come with a built-in counterweight that keeps them in the right position in your eye, so they don’t rotate.
- Astigmatism is measured by cylinder and axis. Biofinity toric contact lenses have cylinder powers up to -2.25 diopters (D), and Biofinity XR toric lenses have cylinder powers up to -5.75 D. This means that these two products together work for the majority of the population with astigmatism.
Biofinity toric and XR toric contacts are also rated as having some of the highest oxygen transmission of popular soft contact brands. This means that plenty of oxygen moves through the lenses to keep your eyes healthy and comfortable when wearing Biofinity lenses.
What’s the difference between Biofinity toric contacts and Biofinity XR toric contacts?
Biofinity toric lenses have a good range of cylinder power (-0.75 to -2.25 D) and therefore correct the most common range of astigmatism. Biofinity XR toric lenses have even higher amounts of cylinder power (up to -5.75 D), which means they can correct even higher amounts of astigmatism.
What does the “XR” mean in Biofinity XR toric lenses?
The “XR” in Biofinity XR toric contacts stands for extended range. Biofinity XR toric lenses have a higher range of cylinder powers (up to -5.75 D) than standard Biofinity toric lenses (up to -2.25 D).
Are Biofinity toric lenses more expensive than regular soft lenses?
Yes, Biofinity toric and Biofinity XR toric lenses cost more than regular soft contact lenses. This is true for all brands of toric contact lenses.
There are two reasons for the increased cost:
- Toric lenses have a more complex design and are more difficult to manufacture.
- The fitting process for toric contact lenses tends to take more time than the fitting process for regular soft lenses.
How often do I have to change my Biofinity toric contacts?
Biofinity toric and Biofinity XR toric lenses are designed to be thrown away and replaced monthly.
Wearing contact lenses longer than the recommended replacement period significantly increases your risk of discomfort, blurry vision and eye health problems.
Can I wear Biofinity toric lenses overnight?
If you are wondering, “Can I sleep in the Biofinity toric contacts?”... the answer is yes.
According to manufacturer instructions, Biofinity toric and Biofinity XR toric lenses may be worn up to a maximum of six nights/seven days.
However, not everyone’s eyes can tolerate overnight wear of contact lenses. Your eye doctor will advise you regarding whether overnight wear of Biofinity lenses is safe for you and the maximum number of nights you can sleep with your contact lenses on.
Do I need a special contact solution to clean Biofinity toric contacts?
Properly cleaning and disinfecting your Biofinity toric lenses after each use is essential to prevent serious eye infections from your contact lens wear.
You will be given samples of the preferred contact lens care products when you are fitted with your Biofinity lenses. Be sure to use these products as directed, and do not substitute brands of lens care products without first consulting your eye doctor.
Remember to wash your hands thoroughly and dry them with a clean, lint-free towel before handling your lenses. Also rinse and dry your contact lens case after each use, and always use fresh solution when storing the lenses overnight.
SEE RELATED: Caring for your soft contact lenses
Can I get Biofinity toric without a prescription?
You must have a valid contact lens prescription from an eye doctor to purchase Biofinity toric and Biofinity XR toric contact lenses. This is true whether you shop for them online or in person at an optical store or pharmacy.
How do CooperVision Biofinity toric contacts compare to other contacts?
- Biofinity toric vs. Acuvue Oasys toric
Acuvue and Biofinity are both highly respected brands in the world of contacts. Both are approved for up to six nights of continuous wear. Acuvue Oasys lenses are designed for biweekly replacement; Biofinity toric lenses are monthly replacement lenses. Each lens uses a slightly different wetting technology, with Biofinity having a slightly higher percentage of water (48%) and a higher oxygen transmission — two things fundamental for comfortable use. One of the major pluses of Acuvue lenses is that they provide UV protection for your eyes, while Biofinity lenses do not.
- Proclear toric vs. Biofinity toric
These two monthly contacts are both made by CooperVision. Proclear has a higher percentage of water but a lower oxygen transmission level than Biofinity toric.
- Aquaclear toric vs. Biofinity toric
Aquaclear toric and Biofinity toric lenses are the exact same lens, both manufactured by CooperVision, except Aquaclear was privately rebranded by Vision Source. They both use the same Aquaform technology and are comparable in price.
- Biofinity toric vs. Bausch + Lomb Ultra
These two monthly lenses for astigmatism are very similar. They have the same water percentage and oxygen transmissibility. But Biofinity toric lenses have Aquaform technology, and Bausch + Lomb Ultra use their own MoistureSeal technology as well as aspheric optics for reduced halos and glare.
Where can I buy Biofinity toric contacts?
You can purchase Biofinity toric and Biofinity XR toric lenses from your eye doctor, online or at any retail optical store that sells major brands of contact lenses.
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