Wearing regular contacts not working for you?
Are they uncomfortable or do you feel them slipping when you blink?
You can achieve a more comfortable fit and improved vision with specialty contact lenses.
What Are Specialty Contact Lenses?
Imagine how well a pair of shoes would fit if a podiatrist measured the exact dimensions and curves of your foot and then made a pair of shoes that fit perfectly.
Specialty contact lenses work on a similar principle. Instead of trying to make standard contact lenses fit patients who have irregularly-sized corneas, an optometrist will first measure your cornea to fit your eyes perfectly.
Benefits of Specialty Contact Lenses
Regular contact lenses are designed and fitted for standard cornea shapes.
However, if you have an irregularly-shaped cornea, it can be difficult and even sometimes impossible to comfortably wear standard contacts.
If you’re getting fitted for specialty contact lenses, your optometrist will use a device called a corneal topographer. This instrument maps out the precise curvature of your cornea using multiple data points in the eye for more accurate measurement and a close fit.
What Are Scleral Lenses?
Scleral lenses are custom contact lens, that are custom-fit to suit your eyes, offering optimized comfort and vision..
Scleral lenses are a type of specialty lenses, that are particularly well-suited for patients who have keratoconus or experience dry eye symptoms because the space between the lens and the eye surface creates a kind of reservoir of fluid that bathes and hydrates the eye.
Since scleral lenses arch over the cornea, they are ideal for people with irregularly-shaped corneas.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Specialty Contact Lenses?
If you have any of the following conditions, custom-designed contact lenses may be the right choice:
- Astigmatism and other vision problems caused by an irregularly-shaped cornea
- Keratoconus –weakness in the cornea that causes it to bulge forward into a cone shape
- Eye injury or eye sensitivity
- Dry eyes –lack of eye moisture which causes dry, reddish, and itchy eyes
Frequently Asked Questions with Dr. Huong Vu, OD
Q: Can specialty lenses relieve eye allergy symptoms?
A: Do your eyes get red, watery, and itchy when they are exposed to dust and pollen? Specialty contact lenses may be the right choice for you, because they provide your eyes with extra protection and reduce your exposure to these allergens.
Q: How often do specialty lenses need to be replaced?
A: Specialty lenses are often replaced every year, and in some cases, 2-3 years. These lenses can last longer because they’re made of durable, long-lasting materials and are often a better value than standard contact lenses.