What development led to a design for soft toric contact lenses?

The design for soft toric contact lenses was significantly influenced by the development of dynamic stabilization techniques. Specifically, dynamic stabilization mechanisms, such as those pioneered by Weicon, were instrumental in managing lens rotation and ensuring stability on the eye. This is crucial for soft toric lenses, which are designed to correct astigmatism by compensating for the irregular shape of the cornea.

Dynamic stabilization allows the lens to maintain its orientation as the wearer looks in different directions, maximizing visual acuity and comfort. This advancement marked a key shift in contact lens technology, enabling manufacturers to produce soft toric lenses that could sit securely on the cornea without rotating out of alignment, thereby providing consistent visual correction.

While other concepts like preliminary toric dynamics, soft variable axis design, and axis reduction may play roles in the broader development of contact lenses, they do not specifically highlight the stabilization aspect as critically as the contributions made by Weicon's dynamic stabilization. This stabilization technology fundamentally transformed the ability to offer effective and comfortable soft toric lenses.