Published in Contact Lens

Toric Talks: The Importance of Stability for First-Time Patients

Ashley K. McFerron, OD

Kelsi Sawatzky, OD, FAAO

John L Ellis II, OD

This is editorially independent content supported by advertising from CooperVision

3 min read

Join Ashley McFerron, OD, Kelsi Sawatzky, OD, FAAO, and John Ellis II, OD, to review how to manage rotational instability with toric contact lenses.

In the first episode of Toric Talks, Ashley K. McFerron, OD, is joined by John L. Ellis II, OD, and Kelsi Sawatzky, OD, FAAO, to discuss the value of toric contact lens stability for patients new to contact lens wear.

Dr. McFerron practices at Canby Eyecare in Canby, Oregon; Dr. Ellis is the owner of University Vision Centre in El Paso, Texas; and Dr. Sawatzky is an optometrist at Elite Eye Care in Waukee, Iowa.

The importance of lens stability with toric contact lenses

Dr. Ellis explained that many first-time contact lens wearers are accustomed to the full toric correction and visual stability of glasses. Therefore, if they put in a contact lens that has any rotational instability, they may feel visual discomfort—leading to patient dissatisfaction and potentially contact lens dropout. As such, in order to have success with a toric contact lens, it is imperative that the lens mimic the visual stability of glasses.

Dr. Sawatzky pointed out that patients don’t want to feel that they are compromising on visual acuity (VA) with a contact lens. Thus, it is beneficial to set clear patient expectations so they know that it may take a moment for the lens to rotate into the correct position for stable vision and that the first few days may feel uncomfortable as they adapt to the new lens.

To ensure that the patient has stable vision, Dr. Sawatzky recommended waiting 5 minutes in the office to check that the lens correctly rotates and stabilizes, and then following up with patients after 1 week. This gives them extra time to adapt to wearing contact lenses and allows her to evaluate whether any adjustments are required for the lens.

For a patient handout with instructions on contact lens insertion and removal, check out Contact Lens Care for Patients with Take-Home Instructions!

Overview of the MyDay toric contact lens

All three doctors noted that they often prescribe the MyDay toric lens (CooperVision) because it has the same optical lens design features as the Biofinity toric lens (CooperVision), but in a daily disposable modality, which is more convenient for patients.

Consequently, it is very easy to switch patients from the Biofinity toric lens to the MyDay toric lens. In addition, patients benefit from the switch because daily disposable soft contact lenses reduce the risk and severity of contact lens-related complications.¹

Dr. Ellis noted that the toric markings on the MyDay lens are easy to visualize, which helps with assessing whether the lens has rotated into the correct position for optimal vision.

Key parameters of the MyDay toric contact lens include:²

Sphere power: +8.00D to -10.00D (0.50D steps after +/- 6.00D)
Cylinder power: -0.75, -1.25, -1.75, -2.25
Axis: Full circle in 10° steps
Material / H₂0 content: Stenfilcon A / 54%
Oxygen transmissibility: 80 Dk/t (at -3.00D)
Technology: Optimized Toric Lens Geometry
Base curve: 8.6mm
Diameter: 14.5mm

Conclusion

Dr. McFerron highlighted that the MyDay toric contact lens has been a game-changer for her office, and having a soft toric lens in a daily disposable modality offers optometrists a significant opportunity for practice growth and to meet the visual needs of all patients without compromising on visual acuity.

References

Stapleton F, Bakkar M, Carnt N, et al. Clear - Contact Lens Complications. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2021;44:330-67.
MyDay toric. CooperVision. 2025. https://coopervision.com/practitioner/our-products/myday-family/myday-toric.

About Ashley K. McFerron, OD

Ashley K. McFerron, OD, earned her Bachelor of Science from The University of Tulsa and her Doctor of Optometry degree in 2008 from the Oklahoma College of Optometry at Northeastern State University. After relocating to Oregon, she worked as an associate optometrist for three years before purchasing Canby Eyecare in 2011.

She is an active member of the American Optometric Association (AOA), where she currently serves as Vice Chair of the Industry Relations Committee. Dr. McFerron is also a long-standing member of the Oregon Optometric Physicians Association (OOPA), having served on the Board for nine years, including as President in 2017. She currently serves on the boards of both the Great Western Council of Optometry (GWCO) and Northwest Vision Associates.

Her professional accomplishments include being named Oregon's Young Optometrist of the Year in 2013 and Oregon Optometrist of the Year in 2025. Under her leadership, Canby Eyecare was honored with the CooperVision Best Practice Award in 2024.

Dr. McFerron provides full-scope primary eye care in a rural community just south of Portland, Oregon, alongside two associate doctors and a dedicated, all-female team.

More by Ashley K. McFerron, OD

About Kelsi Sawatzky, OD, FAAO

Kelsi Sawatzky, OD, FAAO, is in private practice in central Iowa. She is a graduate of Indiana University School of Optometry. Currently, she is a member of the Iowa Optometric Association, American Optometric Association, and American Academy of Optometry.

In 2021, Dr. Sawatzky achieved her Fellowship in the American Academy of Optometry. Dr. Sawatzky specializes in complicated and specialty contact lens fittings, including multifocal contact lenses, scleral contact lenses, corneal refractive therapy (CRT), and MiSight daily soft lenses for the treatment of myopia progression.

Aside from specialty contact lens care, Dr. Sawatzky enjoys providing high-quality routine vision and health care to patients of all ages.

More by Kelsi Sawatzky, OD, FAAO

About John L Ellis II, OD

John L. Ellis II, OD, is an expert optometrist at University Vision Centre in El Paso, Texas. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Dr. Ellis has spent most of his life in El Paso. He attended the University of Texas El Paso, where he earned a BBA. in Management. He followed that with an MBA at Oklahoma City University.

While serving as a field artillery officer in the Army, Dr. Ellis’ optometrist encouraged him to pursue optometry, which led him to attend the University of Houston College of Optometry. Since 2003, he has provided trustworthy, comprehensive eye care and a personalized patient experience at University Vision Centre, and offers appointments in either English or Spanish.

More by John L Ellis II, OD

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