Having an astigmatism used to mean that the only type of contact lens you could wear were hard, scratchy gas permeable lenses. Not only were these contact lenses one of the most uncomfortable contacts of their time, they were known to cause retinal scrapes and infection on a frequent basis. They required diligent and methodical care, and felt more like a chore than a convenience for patients that they were prescribed to.

Thankfully, the science of eye care has improved tremendously, and people with astigmatism no longer suffer at the mercy of one choice for their contact lenses. As contacts technology began to improve, those who suffered from astigmatism had various options in choosing a contact lens that was more flexible and more comfortable to wear. Product availability of contact lenses are significantly different than those of the stone age.

One specific type of contact lens that became available through this improved technology was the Biomedics Toric lens. These contact lenses were soft, flexible, and disposable, things that were unheard of in the days that gas permeable lenses reigned supreme. Biomedics Toric lenses and their counterparts, Fequency 55 Toric, were a breath of fresh air to astigmatism patients worldwide. The advent of these contact lenses was a much needed and much welcomed change to the cumbersome maintenance and cleaning routines that gas permeable wearers were used to.

The innovate solutions provider that created this much welcomed elucidation was Ocular Sciences Corporation, based out of San Francisco. Ocular Sciences is dedicated to creating state of the art contact lens solutions to help people see better, no matter what their diagnosis. Not only did they create the Biomedics Toric lens, but were also the innovative solutions provider that gave us bifocal contact lenses, and today, even trifocal contact lens solutions.

Ocular Sciences has created over 800 contacts solutions products for various types of vision disorders since they started over a decade ago. Ocular Sciences has been acquired by Coopervision and both Frequency 55 Toric and Biomedics Toric are now among many other products that Coopervision offers. They are continuing to develop even more sophisticated contact products on a continuous basis throughout their global facilities. However, their current product line offers easy to wear and comfortable solutions for almost any malady.

Astigmatism sufferers can expect more comfortable, longer lasting and lighter lenses as technology continues to improve. Hyperopic and myopic sufferers can expect increasingly better lenses and additional product lines over the next five years. Even those patients needing bifocals or trifocals will also find contact solutions created and improved especially for them. So, to all of those contact lens wearers out there, here's looking at you.