Special Contacts for Special Eyes
Special Contacts for Special Eyes
Specialty contacts are those that fall into the category of any lens requiring customization beyond power correction. Conditions which may require such lenses could be corneal ectasias such as Keratoconus or Pellucid Marginal degeneration, or corneal scarring due to trauma/infection. Severe dry eye may also preclude a patient to needing specialty lenses in order to see and function clearly. While specialty lenses can be fit for medically necessary reasons, there are some cases in which, for the greater comfort and optics they offer, patients may choose to still go this route! Children can also benefit from specialty fits such as Ortho-Keratology lenses to prevent myopia progression.
These lenses can be complicated, and take both time, and in some cases, financial commitments for successful fits. Before proceeding with a fit, Dr. Gohel likes to set aside some time to discuss her patient’s cases with them, and provide them with the best possible options to help improve their vision. This is why we offer free consultations before ever proceeding with a fit!
Rigid Gas Permeables
Hard lenses suited for any cornea, normal or not! For patients that have corneal scarring/irregular astigmatism/high prescriptions, these lenses can be a great option to deliver enhanced optics and get past some of the glare, light sensitivity and disorted vision that comes from an irregular cornea.
Scleral Lenses
Another style of hard lenses which lands on the sclera (white part) of the eye. This lens is bowl shaped with the purpose in mind to fill the bowl with a preservative-free saline which is meant to remain there between the cornea and the lens throughout the day. This liquid serves to “correct” any irregularities on the cornea, along with the hard lens component, to get the patient seeing well again. Typically patients with Keratoconus, PMD, corneal transplants, or even severe dry eye will be fit with this type of lens.
Hybrid Lenses
The best of both worlds! Centrally we have the optics of a hard lens and peripherally we have the comfort of a soft lens. This lens can also be used for a variety of corneal conditions. It is still a custom fit, just like RGP’s and Sclerals.
Ortho Keratology
A special type of hard lens with a reverse geometry design meant to flatten the central cornea of the wearer as they sleep. It’s the only time Dr. Gohel will tell you to sleep in your contacts! This lens will often be recommended to kiddos who have progressive myopia (near-sightedness) and who need better control over how their prescription is changing. Ortho-K is studied to be one of the most efficacious in reducing myopia progression in kids, but it can also be used for patients who don’t want to wear glasses or contacts during the day! The overnight wear, once fit properly, flattens the cornea so that your prescription is corrected during the day.
Custom Soft
Sometimes the soft lenses we have in our trial stock won’t cut it, so we may need order special lenses to fit your unique visual needs.
Prosthetic
For patients who have a corneal or pupillary deformity, prosthetic lenses can be customized and created to aesthetically cover up any scarring which is obvious. Prosthetic lenses can also serve to improve vision for those who have iris trauma/damage and no longer have a pupil to fixate. These patients often have extreme light sensitivity and reduced depth of focus, a prosthetic lens can help!