Specialty Contact Lenses

Contact Lenses For Everyone

Every patient has unique eyes, requiring different types of contact lenses to suit individual needs. Some patients have corneal abnormalities that prevent conventional lenses from fitting comfortably, while others have eye conditions that make normal contacts uncomfortable or irritating.

Specialty contact lenses are designed for patients for whom regular contacts are unsuitable. Here are some of the main types of specialty contact lenses and who they are recommended for.

Patients who might benefit from specialty contact lenses include those who:

• Have been diagnosed with dry eye syndrome.
• Have corneal scarring.
• Have keratoconus, a condition characterized by the bulging of the cornea.
• Suffer from strabismus, where one eye turns in or out relative to the other.
• Have suffered an eye injury.
• Suffer from a peripheral corneal thinning disorder.
• Are intolerant to other types of lenses.

Your eye doctor or contact lens provider can determine if you need specialty contact lenses and which type would be best based on your individual requirements.

• Rigid Gas-Permeable (RGP) Lenses

RGP lenses are made from a material that allows oxygen to pass through to the eyes, helping keep them hydrated and comfortable, especially for patients with dry eyes. These lenses are more rigid than soft lenses, providing stability and sharper vision while helping the cornea maintain its shape.

• Scleral Contact Lenses

Scleral lenses are larger in diameter than standard contact lenses, with the edges resting on the sclera (the white part of the eye) rather than the cornea. They vault over the cornea, leaving space that traps tear film, keeping the eyes hydrated and accommodating corneal abnormalities like keratoconus.

• Limbal Fit Contact Lenses

Limbal contact lenses fall between RGP and scleral lenses in size. Their larger diameter increases stability on the eyes' surface, while minimal interference with the eyelids ensures comfort and clarity of vision.

• Hybrid Contact Lenses

Hybrid lenses combine the best features of soft and gas-permeable lenses. The center is made from gas-permeable material for stability and clarity, while the outer edge is a soft lens skirt, providing the comfort of soft lenses without the hard edges of RGP lenses.

For more information about specialty contact lenses, don’t hesitate to speak to our dedicated eye care team.