When it comes to correcting vision, every person’s eyes are different, so their vision solutions should be too. For individuals with eye conditions such as irregular corneas, glaucoma, or conditions like keratoconus, specialized contact lenses may be the best option. This guide explores the types of specialty contact lenses such as scleral contact lenses, and the treatment options available for various vision needs.
What Are Specialty Contact Lenses?
Specialty contact lenses are designed for individuals who have conditions that make standard contact lenses unsuitable. These can include irregular corneas, astigmatism, keratoconus, glaucoma, or anyone experiencing post-eye surgery complications.
Contact lenses for irregular corneas are custom-made to manage conditions such as keratoconus or post-surgical complications when traditional contact lenses are no longer suitable to wear.
Types of Specialty Contact Lenses include:
- Hybrid lenses: A combination of a rigid gas permeable (RGP) center and a soft outer skirt, providing comfort and clarity, as well as more stability during eye movement.
- Scleral lenses: Large-diameter custom-made lenses that vault over the cornea and rest on the sclera (the white part of the eye), ideal for those with dry eyes or irregular corneas.
- Glaucoma contact lenses: Specially designed lenses that can assist with monitoring internal eye pressure, also referred to as intraocular pressure (IOP) for glaucoma patients.
- Piggyback lenses: A two-lens system that combines a soft contact lens worn under a rigid gas permeable (RGP) lens. This combination combines the comfort of soft lenses and the sharp vision provided by RGP lenses. Piggyback lenses can benefit individuals with keratoconus or other corneal irregularities who cannot tolerate RGP lenses alone.
Scleral Contact Lenses for Irregular Corneas
Scleral lenses are one of the most effective contact lenses for irregular corneas. These rigid gas permeable lenses (RGP) have a large diameter that rests on the sclera, leaving a gap filled with tear fluid. This acts as a cushion, improving moisture retention and breathability compared to regular RGP contact lenses.
Their large surface area also means they provide more comfort as they can’t be felt as much as regular lenses, which only cover most or all of the cornea. They can correct most corneal irregularities, making these lenses an excellent option for individuals with conditions like keratoconus, dry eye syndrome, or pellucid marginal degeneration. Scleral lenses can also be combined with other visual considerations, like multifocal lens prescriptions to accommodate near to distance vision for people over 40 with presbyopia.
Scleral Lens Training and Care
While scleral lenses offer many benefits, their size and design can make them challenging to handle at first. Scleral lens training is essential to ensure that patients can insert, remove, and care for their lenses properly, and is something our contact lens specialists, led by Dr. Robert Davis, can provide during your contact lens evaluation and fitting.
Glaucoma Contact Lenses: Monitoring Intraocular Pressure
Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that causes damage to the optic nerve at the back of the eye. If left undiagnosed and untreated, glaucoma often leads to peripheral (side) vision loss. One of the main challenges in managing glaucoma is monitoring intraocular pressure (IOP), which can fluctuate throughout the day. Traditional IOP measurements may miss critical fluctuations, particularly during the night.
Glaucoma contact lenses are a revolutionary solution that enables continuous monitoring of IOP. These specialized lenses are equipped with sensors that track eye pressure levels over a 24-hour period, allowing our eye doctors to detect peaks in pressure that could indicate worsening glaucoma. The data is transmitted wirelessly to our computers, enabling timely intervention.
FAQs: Specialty Contact Lenses
The most common types are scleral lenses, hybrid lenses, piggyback lenses, and gas permeable lenses. These lenses are tailored to fit irregularly shaped corneas, such as those affected by keratoconus or corneal scarring.
Glaucoma contact lenses continuously monitor intraocular pressure throughout the day and night, providing real-time data that can help doctors adjust treatments and prevent vision loss.
Yes, scleral lenses are ideal for individuals with dry eyes. The fluid reservoir between the lens and the eye helps keep the eye moist, providing relief, comfort, and protection.
At first, scleral lenses can be tricky to handle, but with scleral lens training and practice provided by our expert eye doctors, most patients become comfortable with insertion and removal. Regular care, such as cleaning and storing the lenses properly is essential for effective wear and maintaining good eye health.
Hybrid contact lenses have a hard gas permeable center for clear vision and a soft outer ring for comfort. This combination makes them a great option for keratoconus patients who need both clarity for vision correction and comfort.
Piggyback lenses combine the comfort of a soft contact lens with the sharp vision of an RGP lens. They are ideal for individuals who cannot tolerate RGP lenses alone, offering better comfort and vision correction.