4 Specialty Lenses for Cornea Conditions

specialty contact lenses miami

Not all contact lenses are created equal.

While most contacts are intended to be an alternative to eyeglasses, patients with corneal conditions, such as keratoconus or corneal transplants, may struggle to achieve effective results with these conventional contact lenses. Correcting vision in with contact lenses in these conditions typically involves finding a specialty lens can be customized for the patient and attend to to the specific corneal problem or set of symptoms that a patient is experiencing.

At Weston Contact Lens Institute, we are highly experienced with and specialized in specialty contact lenses. If you are having trouble finding an effective solution for vision correction—whether with eyeglasses, contact lenses, or both—we can help you find something that works better for you.

Here are four of the specialty contact lenses that we work with regularly to treat patients with corneal conditions.

  1. Scleral lenses: Most contact lenses rest directly on the cornea. For patients with corneal conditions, this design can be ineffective, irritating, uncomfortable, and even damaging to the ocular surface. Individuals who struggle with severe dry eye syndrome or have irregularly-shaped corneas are unlikely to achieve comfortable vision correction through the use of standard contact lenses, and they may be unable to tolerate them. Scleral lenses are one of the most effective solutions for corneal conditions because they  do not contact it at all. Instead, this lens rests its weight on the sclera (the white of the eye) and vaults over the cornea. This vault is filled with a preservative-free saline solution, which helps to hydrate the eye and keep it lubricated. The design is more comfortable for many patients than standard lenses.For individuals with corneal irregularities, the fluid-filled vault eliminates the need to match a contact lens design to the topography of the corneal surface. Your local Optometrists regularly use scleral lenses to treat patients with keratoconus, dry eyes, eyelid abnormalities, post-corneal transplant complications, chemical and burn injuries, Sjogren’s syndrome, and other conditions.
  1. Ortho-K lenses: Ortho-K (short for orthokeratology) refers to a contact lens that gently reshapes the corneal surface. By wearing these lenses overnight, patients with refractive error conditions (nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, or presbyopia) can achieve temporary vision correction without needing daytime contact lenses or glasses.By reshaping the cornea, ortho-K lenses allow the patient to enjoy clear vision throughout the day without wearing contacts or eyeglasses. This lens is ideal for individuals who play sports or whose jobs make it difficult to wear contacts or glasses—for instance, someone working in a dusty environment. These lenses are also very effective in slowing down myopia progression in children.
  1. EyePrintPRO™ lenses: EyePrintPRO™ lenses are prosthetic shells that an optometrist can customize to fit the exact contours of the ocular surface. Like scleral lenses, EyePrintPRO™ lenses sit on the sclera to treat corneal irregularities and certain other difficult-to-resolve conditions. The EyePrintPRO™ lenses are designed based off of an mold impression of the patient’s eye. The impression process maps out the exact topography of the patient’s eye, allowing a glove-like fit that individuals with corneal irregularities typically can’t achieve with standard lenses. 
  1. Hybrid lenses, SynergEyes lenses: The UltraHealth lens from SynergEyes is a hybrid contact lens—our go-to hybrid lens design at Weston Contact Len Institute. Hybrid lenses combine the durability, longevity, and clear vision of hard contact lenses with the comfortable, easily wearable design of soft lenses. The UltraHealth lens has soft edges and a rigid gas-permeable center. This design helps maintain a flow of oxygen and hydration to the eye while still offering the familiar fit of standard contact lenses. SynergEyes UltraHealth lenses are especially popular for patients with irregular cornea conditions.

At Weston Contact Lens Institute, we regularly prescribe and fit all four of these specialty lenses. To learn more about specialty contacts and find out if one of these lens types is right for you, contact us today.

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