What Are Toric Contact Lenses? What Do SPH, CYL, and AXIS Mean?

If you have astigmatism, you may be looking for colored contacts for astigmatism or toric colored contacts. When choosing toric contact lenses, you may notice additional terms such as SPH, CYL, and AXIS.
This guide explains what toric lenses are and what SPH, CYL, and AXIS mean, in a simple and easy-to-understand way, especially for customers considering colored contact lenses for astigmatism.

• What Are Toric Contact Lenses?

Toric contact lenses are designed specifically to correct astigmatism. Unlike regular lenses, toric lenses have a specialized structure that helps them stay in the correct position on the eye.
This stable design is especially important for colored contacts for astigmatism, as it helps maintain consistent color appearance and clear vision while reducing lens rotation.

• What Does SPH (Sphere) Mean?

SPH (Sphere) refers to the main prescription power of the lens. It corrects nearsightedness (myopia) or farsightedness (hyperopia).

• Minus (–) values indicate nearsightedness.
• Plus (+) values indicate farsightedness.

SPH is required for both regular lenses and toric contact lenses. For toric colored contacts, SPH works together with CYL and AXIS to provide full vision correction.

• What Does CYL (Cylinder) Mean?

CYL (Cylinder) indicates the level of astigmatism correction required. This value compensates for the uneven curvature of the eye.
CYL values are only available for toric lenses, including colored contact lenses for astigmatism.

• What Does AXIS Mean?

AXIS refers to the direction of astigmatism and is measured from 0° to 180°. It indicates how the cylinder power should be aligned on the eye.
For toric contact lenses, CYL and AXIS values must work together to provide accurate and stable vision correction.

• Why Are SPH, CYL, and AXIS Important for Toric Lenses?

For customers choosing colored contacts for astigmatism, using the correct SPH, CYL, and AXIS values helps ensure clear vision, stable lens positioning, and consistent color appearance.
If any of these values do not match your prescription, you may experience blurred vision or lens rotation, especially when wearing toric colored contact lenses.
If you are unsure about your SPH, CYL, or AXIS values, we recommend consulting an eye care professional before purchasing toric contact lenses or colored contact lenses for astigmatism.