Precision Matters: Toric Lens Fitting Strategies

Precision Matters: Toric Lens Fitting Strategies

Available from: 28/02/2026 (AEDT)

Where to publish: https://lms.optometry.org.au/course/view.php?id=983

Provider: Talking Eyes with Lien Trinh

Activity Outline

Astigmatism is common, yet toric prescribing in contact lenses is still under-used. In this interview, Helen Gleave and host Lien Trinh unpack why patients with even low astigmatism can experience eye strain, headaches and visual fatigue when fitted with spherical lenses, particularly in a screen-heavy world. You’ll hear insights from recent clinical research exploring how patients “cope” when under-corrected, and why those coping strategies can mask suboptimal vision and comfort.

Helen also explains how contemporary stabilisation designs have transformed performance, reducing oscillation and helping lenses settle quickly and predictably. Listeners will also hear how today's materials and surface technologies, including water-surface and water-gradient designs have changed contact lens wear for patients with astigmatism and those with dryness or a compromised ocular surface, through improved wettability and comfort. Importantly, the episode reinforces proactive clinical behaviours: diagnosing and treating dry eye alongside lens selection, and confidently offering toric options to patients who may assume they “can’t wear contacts”.

Learning Objectives

• Improve toric prescribing decisions by recognising the functional impact of low-to-moderate astigmatism in contact lens wearers
• Understand how a streamlined toric fitting workflow might look
• Understand how to optimise comfort and long-term wear success by assessing the ocular surface and tear film, addressing dry eye alongside fitting, and selecting modern silicone hydrogel materials/surface technologies

Max CPD hours awarded: 0.5

Session Information