Specialty contact lenses are designed for your specific eye conditions or unique visual needs that standard soft or rigid gas permeable lenses cannot address. These customized lenses provide improved vision and comfort if you have complex eye conditions. At Insight Vision Center Optometry, our fellowship-trained optometrists use wavefront guided technology to map the entire surface of the cornea and sclera, designing lenses that fit precisely to your eye.
Scleral lenses are larger than traditional contact lenses and vault over the entire cornea. They rest on the sclera, the white part of the eye. This design makes them ideal for restoring vision if you have irregular corneas.
We find scleral lenses work well for many conditions, including keratoconus, corneal transplants, corneal scars, post-LASIK complications, and severe dry eyes. The fluid reservoir between the lens and cornea provides constant hydration and comfort throughout the day.
Rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses are small diameter lenses that rest directly on the cornea. They provide crisp, clear vision by creating a smooth optical surface over an irregular cornea.
Using wavefront guided technology, we can design custom RGP lenses for challenging corneas that standard rigid lenses would not fit properly. These lenses allow excellent oxygen transmission to keep your cornea healthy.
Hybrid contact lenses combine a rigid gas permeable center with a soft outer skirt. This design provides the sharp vision quality of RGP lenses while offering the comfort of soft lenses.
You may find hybrids easier to adapt to than full RGP lenses. They tend to stay centered on the eye better and are less likely to dislodge during activity.
Custom soft lenses are available if you have keratoconus or high prescriptions beyond 10.00 diopters. These lenses are made to order based on detailed measurements of each eye.
Brands such as KeraSoft IC and NovaKone are designed specifically for irregular corneas. They offer a comfortable soft lens option if you cannot tolerate rigid lenses.
Custom toric contact lenses allow you to wear contact lenses comfortably even with high amounts of astigmatism. Standard soft toric lenses have limited power ranges, but custom lenses can correct much higher levels.
These lenses are available in both soft and rigid gas permeable materials. We help you choose based on the amount of astigmatism and your comfort preferences.
Custom soft contact lenses can change or enhance the color of your eyes for cosmetic purposes. They also serve important medical functions if you have aniridia, a condition where the iris is missing or incomplete.
Prosthetic lenses can mask eye disfigurements and reduce light sensitivity. Blackout lenses block light completely if you suffer from severe photophobia or certain medical conditions.
Multifocal contact lenses help if you have presbyopia, the age-related loss of near focusing ability. These lenses provide clear vision at near, intermediate, and far distances without reading glasses.
We can incorporate a multifocal design into scleral lenses, RGPs, hybrids, and custom soft lenses. This flexibility allows you to address your reading vision needs even with irregular corneas.
Small diameter contact lenses are available for infants and children who have a medical need for contact lenses. These include aphakic babies who were born without a natural lens or had cataract surgery.
If your child has very high prescriptions or amblyopia, they may also benefit from contact lenses. Proper fitting and careful monitoring are essential for our young patients.
Wavefront guided technology creates a detailed map of your eye's optical system. This map captures imperfections that standard measurements might miss. The result is a lens designed to correct the unique irregularities of your eye.
Dr. Nathan Schramm, OD, FSLS, FBCLA serves as principal investigator for the WaveDyn wavefront guided scleral study. This research explores how wavefront technology can further improve vision in scleral lens wearers.
The Tomey WaveDyn Aberrometer and Pentacam corneal tomography provide detailed measurements of the cornea and surrounding sclera. These instruments help us design lenses that fit the precise shape of your eye.
Anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) allows us to see how lenses interact with your eye in real time. This helps us optimize fit and comfort.
The HERO Scleral lens system and EyePrintPRO technology create highly customized scleral lenses. EyePrintPRO captures an impression of the eye's surface to produce a lens that matches its exact contours.
Dr. Nathan Schramm, OD, FSLS, FBCLA holds fellowships in scleral lenses (FSLS) and contact lenses (FBCLA). He co-founded the International Congress of Scleral Contacts to advance education in this field.
Keratoconus causes the cornea to thin and bulge into a cone shape. This creates significant vision distortion that glasses often cannot fully correct. Specialty contact lenses create a smooth optical surface over the irregular cornea.
Options for keratoconus include scleral lenses, hybrid lenses like SynergEyes Duette, and custom soft lenses such as KeraSoft IC and NovaKone. The best choice depends on the severity of your condition and your preferences.
If you have had LASIK, radial keratotomy (RK), or corneal transplants, you may develop irregular corneas. These irregularities can cause glare, halos, and blurred vision that glasses do not fully correct.
Scleral lenses are often the best option for post-surgical patients. The lens vaults over the cornea without touching it, providing comfort and clear vision regardless of corneal shape.
Scleral lenses can help if you have severe dry eye conditions, including Sjogren's syndrome and ocular graft-versus-host disease. The fluid reservoir behind the lens keeps the cornea hydrated throughout the day.
For patients who have not found relief with drops and other treatments, scleral lenses may provide significant comfort improvement. If you are unsure if your symptoms require this level of care, try our dry eye quiz.
A specialty contact lens consultation begins with a comprehensive eye exam and detailed measurements. We evaluate corneal shape, eye health, and visual needs to recommend the most appropriate lens type.
Dr. Thanh Mai, OD, FSLS, FIAOMC and Dr. Nhi Nguyen, OD both have extensive experience fitting specialty lenses. Dr. Nhi Nguyen, OD also has research experience with prosthetic lenses for iris atrophy.
Learning to apply and remove specialty lenses takes practice. Our team at Insight Vision Center Optometry provides hands-on training until you feel confident handling your lenses.
Proper cleaning and care techniques are essential for maintaining eye health and lens longevity. We provide detailed instructions on solutions, storage, and daily care routines.
Regular follow-up visits ensure your lenses continue to fit well and provide optimal vision. We check for any changes in the eye and make adjustments as needed.
You may need lens modifications or replacements over time, especially with progressive conditions like keratoconus. Ongoing monitoring helps us catch changes early.
Adaptation time varies by lens type. Many patients adapt to scleral lenses within one to two weeks. Rigid gas permeable lenses may take longer, often three to four weeks for full comfort. Hybrid and custom soft lenses typically have shorter adaptation periods similar to standard soft lenses.
Most specialty contact lenses are not approved for overnight wear. Sleeping in contact lenses increases the risk of eye infections and other complications. We will provide specific wearing schedules based on your lens type and eye health.
Scleral and custom RGP lenses typically last one to two years with proper care. Custom soft lenses have varying replacement schedules depending on the specific lens design. We will recommend a replacement schedule based on your lenses and wearing patterns.
Some vision and medical insurance plans cover medically necessary contact lenses. Coverage depends on your specific plan and diagnosis. Our office staff can help verify your benefits and explain your coverage options.
Multifocal designs can be incorporated into scleral lenses, hybrids, and custom RGP lenses. This allows you to see clearly at all distances even with irregular corneas. We will discuss whether a multifocal specialty lens is appropriate for your needs.
The best lens type depends on your eye condition, prescription, lifestyle, and comfort preferences. A comprehensive consultation includes trying different options when appropriate. We will recommend the lens most likely to provide the best combination of vision and comfort for your situation.
