Specialty Contact Lenses
Soft disposable contact lenses may be one of the most popular options available for visual correction, but many options beyond theses lenses exist. Traditional contact lens options, such as rigid gas permeable lenses, hybrid contact lenses, and newer scleral contact lenses, have provided many people with improved vision and comfort.
These specialty contact lenses may be a superior option for a wide variety of reasons, whether it’s for improved comfort, correcting for high amounts of astigmatism, or addressing dry eye symptoms. At Neal Eye Group, we can fit you in the specialty contact lens that works best for you and your eyes.
Gas Permeable Lenses
Gas permeable contact lenses are custom fit to your eyes to correct a variety of vision problems. Gas permeable contact lenses maintain their shape while being handled, which allows them to provide clear, stable vision all day long. Gas-permeable contact lenses can be used to correct normal vision problems such as myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia. They can also be used to correct more complex corneal diseases and irregularities such as keratoconus and pellucid marginal degeneration.
The main advantage of gas-permeable contact lenses is better vision compared to soft contact lenses. They also have a great safety profile, and corneal infections are much less likely in patients wearing gas-permeable lenses. Their custom nature allows Dr. Neal to design lenses for virtually any prescription.
Dr. Neal is residency trained in specialty contact lens fitting. He fits all forms of gas permeable contact lenses, from smaller corneal lenses to mid-sized intralimbal gas permeable lenses. He also fits all forms of multifocal gas permeable contact lenses to help you see your best at all distances. Before your specialty contact lens fitting, a comprehensive eye examination is necessary to verify your prescription and ensure your eyes are healthy enough to wear contact lenses. A corneal topography will also be performed to aid Dr. Neal in customizing your lenses
Hybrid Lenses
Hybrid lenses are contact lenses with a rigid center, surrounded by a soft skirt. The rigid center of the lens is similar to a gas permeable contact lens, and can provide the benefits of GP lenses such as clear optics. The surrounding soft skirt is made of the same material as soft contact lenses, and can help improve comfort and stability. For those who find adapting to traditional GP lenses too difficult, hybrid lenses may be the perfect alternative.
Scleral Contact Lenses
Scleral contacts are large-diameter gas permeable contact lenses specially designed to cover the entire corneal surface and parts of the sclera (the white part of the eye). In doing so, the scleral lenses essentially “replaces” the cornea irregular cornea, providing you with a clean, clear, and smooth surface to help correct your vision.
If you have been told in the past that you could not wear contact lenses, schedule an appointment with us today. Scleral lenses can help you see better if you have:
- Astigmatism
- Keratoconus
- Dry Eye
- Corneal Transplant
- Many More!
Generally, anyone that is interested in achieving the best vision possible with contact lenses can be a candidate for scleral lenses. Some of the most common candidates are people with irregular corneas, keratoconus, corneal scars, dry eyes, and general “hard to fit” eyes. Scleral lenses provide comfortable and clear vision to help you see better throughout the day! and comfortable.
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) Specialty Contact Lenses
Orthokeratology has proven to be effective in slowing, or even stopping, the development of nearsightedness. This can also have potential health benefits for the child in the future, as they will have a lower risk for a variety of eye problems that tend to effect those who are very nearsighted. Ortho-K is also very safe; in fact, over a million nearsighted people around the world have eliminated eyeglasses or contact lenses during the daytime.
Good candidates for orthokeratology include:
- Mild to moderate myopia (nearsightedness)
- Children and young adults who want to be glasses-free but are too young for LASIK
- Individuals who are not good candidates for refractive surgery (LASIK or PRK)
- Those who play contact sports, work in a dusty environment, or simply want to go without glasses are also great candidates!
Learn more about myopia management here!