What Are Specialty Contact Lenses and Who Should Consider Them?

When it comes to vision correction, contact lenses are a popular choice for their convenience and effectiveness. However, not all eyes are suited to standard contact lenses due to unique shapes, certain eye conditions, or specific vision requirements. This is where specialty contact lenses come in. These lenses are designed to address unique visual needs, offering customized solutions that help individuals achieve clear, comfortable vision. But what exactly are specialty contact lenses, and who should consider them?

What Are Specialty Contact Lenses?

Specialty contact lenses are tailored to the individual needs of patients with non-standard eye shapes, high prescriptions, or certain eye conditions. Unlike standard contacts, which come in predetermined shapes and sizes, specialty lenses are crafted to fit unique eye contours and provide targeted solutions. Common types of specialty lenses include:
• Scleral Lenses: These are larger lenses that vault over the cornea and rest on the white part of the eye (sclera), offering comfort and stability. Scleral lenses are often used for people with irregular corneas, such as those with keratoconus.
• Gas Permeable (GP) Lenses: Rigid and durable, GP lenses maintain their shape on the eye, making them ideal for patients needing precise vision correction. They are breathable, allowing more oxygen to reach the cornea, which can contribute to overall eye health.
• Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) Lenses: Worn overnight, these lenses temporarily reshape the cornea, providing clear vision during the day without the need for corrective eyewear. Ortho-K is particularly useful for controlling myopia (nearsightedness) progression in children.

Who Should Consider Specialty Contact Lenses?

Specialty contact lenses are beneficial for individuals with unique visual or structural eye needs, such as:
1. Keratoconus Patients
Keratoconus is a progressive eye disease that thins and reshapes the cornea into a cone-like shape, often making standard contacts ineffective. Scleral lenses are a common choice for keratoconus patients, as they offer comfort and clear vision by creating a tear-filled vault over the cornea, smoothing out its irregularities.
2. Those with High Astigmatism
For patients with astigmatism, where the eye's shape causes blurred vision, toric lenses or custom lenses provide the stable correction necessary for clearer vision. Specialty lenses can be custom-fitted to remain in place, offering consistent and sharp vision for individuals with higher degrees of astigmatism.
3. People with Severe Dry Eye Syndrome
Dry eye sufferers often find regular contacts uncomfortable due to the reduced moisture on the surface of the eye. Scleral lenses are particularly helpful in these cases, as they hold a fluid reservoir between the lens and the cornea, keeping the eye hydrated and reducing discomfort.
4. Individuals with Corneal Scarring or Irregular Corneas
Corneal scars or abnormalities can disrupt the fit and effectiveness of standard lenses. GP or scleral lenses provide a smooth optical surface, improving vision and reducing discomfort for those with irregular corneas due to injury, surgery, or eye disease.
5. Children or Adults with Progressive Myopia
For individuals with progressing myopia, especially children, Ortho-K lenses offer a non-surgical option to slow down the progression of nearsightedness. By wearing these lenses overnight, the cornea is gently reshaped, resulting in clearer vision without the need for corrective lenses during the day.

Benefits of Specialty Contact Lenses

• Enhanced Comfort and Fit: Designed to fit the specific shape of your eye, specialty lenses are often more comfortable than standard lenses.
• Improved Vision Clarity: Specialty lenses are crafted for precise correction, addressing specific visual needs and often providing better clarity.
• Alternative to Surgery: For those who prefer not to undergo procedures like LASIK or ICL, specialty lenses provide a non-invasive option to achieve clear vision.
• Potential to Manage Eye Conditions: Some specialty lenses, such as Ortho-K, can manage or even slow the progression of conditions like myopia.

Finding the Right Lens for You at 4Sight iCare

Specialty contact lenses can offer life-changing benefits for those who struggle with conventional lenses. However, getting the right fit requires an expert evaluation and fitting process. At 4Sight iCare, we specialize in assessing your individual vision needs and recommending the most suitable specialty lenses. Our goal is to provide each patient with a comfortable, effective solution tailored to their unique eyes.
If you think specialty contact lenses may be right for you, schedule an appointment with 4Sight iCare to find the best solution for your vision. Visit our office in Plainfield, Illinois, call (815) 676-4474, or click “Schedule An Appointment” today.