Daily disposable contact lenses have become the standard of care for many patients, offering clear advantages in comfort, convenience, and ocular health.1 Yet across the profession, toric patients are often the last group to make this transition.2
In many cases, this hesitation isn’t necessarily due to the performance of daily disposable toric lenses, but rather the longstanding perceptions shaped by earlier lens designs, workflow pressures, and concerns about changing a fit that already feels “good enough.”3
What I’ve learned over time is that this hesitation can quietly hold practices back—not just clinically, but relationally. When we fail to revisit toric fits proactively, we risk missing opportunities to improve patients’ lifestyles and strengthen long-term loyalty.
Why toric patients get left behind
Historically, toric contact lenses have had a reputation for being unpredictable. Earlier designs often required multiple trial lenses, extra chair time, and compromises in visual quality.3 For clinicians working with packed schedules, toric fitting could feel like a time-intensive puzzle with uncertain payoff.
Even as daily disposable torics have evolved into far more stable and reliable options, that historical mindset still lingers. Many clinicians remain cautious, especially when a patient presents with 20/20 vision and reports being “happy enough” in a monthly lens they’ve worn for years.2
But comfort with the status quo doesn’t always mean optimal care. As eyecare professionals, patients rely on us to stay informed, stay innovative, and guide them toward better options—even when change isn’t requested outright.4
The real barrier: Confidence, not complexity
In real-world practice, the biggest barrier to moving toric patients into daily disposables isn’t fitting difficulty, it’s confidence. There’s a fear of ruffling feathers, adding chair time, or introducing discomfort where none previously existed.5
I see this often when patients have been in the same toric lens for 5 or even 10 years. While it may feel safe to leave them where they are, I believe we fail our patients if we don’t at least introduce them to newer options. Medicine and technology evolve constantly, and contact lenses are no exception.6
When I approach toric refits, I view them as an opportunity, not a risk. If a patient dislikes the new option, we can always revert. But if they love it, we’ve meaningfully improved their daily life.
Making the conversation easier
The key to successful toric refits starts before the patient ever sits in the chair. I review charts in advance, look at lens history, and come into the exam with a plan. Patients want to hear recommendations from their doctor—not from friends, family, or online forums.4
I frame the conversation around lifestyle. Daily disposables make sense for travel, swimming, sports, and allergy seasons. I often suggest trying daily disposable toric lenses part-time, even if patients aren’t ready to fully switch, as I’ve found that giving them trial lenses to test at home lowers the barrier to change and builds trust.
Most importantly, I emphasize that this is about enhancement, not correction. We’re not fixing something broken—we’re improving comfort, convenience, and long-term eye health.1
To learn more about discussing toric lenses with patients, check out Patient Education Essentials: Helping Astigmatic Patients with Toric Lens FAQs!
Why toric design consistency matters
One of the biggest factors that has increased my confidence with toric refits is consistency in lens design across modalities. When daily disposable toric lenses follow similar fitting philosophies to the monthly lenses we already trust, refits stop feeling like starting from scratch.7
In our practice, we use a significant amount of CooperVision lenses, and Biofinity toric has long been a dependable option. When MyDay toric launched with a fitting approach that closely mirrored Biofinity toric, the transition felt intuitive.
Parameters were familiar, outcomes were predictable, and our team felt comfortable recommending the switch. That kind of continuity matters. It reduces guesswork, improves first-fit success, and minimizes additional chair time, which are all critical factors in a busy clinic.7
At the same time, balance is important. We also frequently fit Alcon’s PRECISION1 for Astigmatism, particularly when hydration or material characteristics better suit a patient’s ocular surface or digital habits. In addition, other companies also offer daily toric lenses with particular benefits, including Johnson & Johnson 's ACUVUE line and Bausch & Lomb's INFUSE family.
As specific patients and corneal curvatures demand specific parameters, having multiple reliable daily toric options allows us to truly individualize care.
Workflow strategies for integrating toric lenses that actually work
Streamlining toric refits doesn’t require overhauling your entire schedule. In our practice, trained technicians handle initial acuity checks and evaluate lens fit at the slit lamp before I enter the room. That preparation allows me to quickly assess whether a refit is appropriate and move efficiently through the exam.5
Chair time concerns are real, but they’re often overestimated. Starting small—even committing to refitting one toric patient per day—builds confidence over time. You don’t need every trial lens parameter on hand to begin. Getting close with sphere and cylinder is often enough to demonstrate the potential benefit.7
Read the article Beyond the Exam Room: Making Toric Lens Fitting a Team Effort for more information on fitting toric contact lenses.
The impact of daily disposable toric contact lenses on patients and practices
What I’ve consistently seen is that patients in daily disposable toric lenses experience fewer complications and higher overall satisfaction. Daily replacement reduces risks associated with deposits, allergies, and compliance issues.8,9 As a result, these patients tend to require fewer problem-focused visits.
From a practice standpoint, proactive recommendations build trust. Patients talk—and when they feel their doctor is invested in improving their experience, that enthusiasm spreads through word of mouth. Growth often happens when patients are happiest.
A simple place to start
For clinicians hesitant to make the leap, my advice is straightforward: start small. Choose one toric patient, offer a daily disposable option, and see how it goes. Each successful refit builds confidence, shortens the learning curve, and reinforces that daily disposable toric contact lenses don’t have to be complicated.
Daily disposables have already transformed care for spherical patients.2 Toric patients deserve the same opportunity—and with today’s lens designs, the path forward is far smoother than many clinicians expect.
