Which type of lens is designed to correct astigmatism?

The toric lens is specifically designed to correct astigmatism, which occurs due to an irregular curvature of the cornea or lens in the eye. Unlike standard lenses, which have a uniform curvature, toric lenses have two different curvatures — one for correcting astigmatism and another for correcting nearsightedness or farsightedness. This dual curvature allows the lens to focus light more effectively on the retina, thereby improving visual clarity for individuals with this refractive error.

In contrast, concave and convex lenses are primarily used to correct myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness), respectively, by altering how light enters the eye. Multifocal lenses, such as bifocal or progressive lenses, are designed to accommodate both distance and near vision but do not specifically address astigmatism. Therefore, the toric lens stands out as the appropriate choice for astigmatism correction due to its unique design tailored for this specific optical challenge.