What Are Specialty Contact Lenses and Who Can They Benefit?

What Are Specialty Contact Lenses and Who Can They Benefit?

At Bright Eyes Optometry, we understand that not every patient’s eyes are the same, and sometimes, standard contact lenses just don’t meet your needs. That’s where specialty contact lenses come into play. These lenses are designed to address specific eye conditions, ensuring that more patients can enjoy the benefits of contact lenses—even those with challenging prescriptions or eye issues.

What Are Specialty Contact Lenses?

Specialty contact lenses are custom-designed to meet the unique needs of patients with irregular corneas, dry eye, or other specific eye conditions that make wearing standard lenses uncomfortable or ineffective. Unlike traditional lenses, these lenses are typically made from advanced materials and crafted to fit the specific shape and condition of your eyes.

There are several types of specialty lenses, each tailored to different eye conditions:

•          Scleral Lenses: Larger than traditional lenses, scleral lenses vault over the cornea and rest on the sclera (the white part of the eye), making them ideal for patients with keratoconus or severe dry eye.

•          Gas Permeable (GP) Lenses: Rigid lenses that maintain their shape on the eye, allowing for crisp vision even for patients with astigmatism or irregular corneas.

•          Hybrid Lenses: These lenses combine the benefits of rigid gas permeable lenses with the comfort of soft lenses. The center is made of a rigid material, while the outer edge is softer, providing both comfort and clear vision.

•          Ortho-K (Orthokeratology) Lenses: Worn overnight, these lenses gently reshape the cornea while you sleep, offering clear vision during the day without the need for glasses or contacts. Ortho-K is especially popular for managing myopia (nearsightedness) in children.

Who Can Benefit From Specialty Contact Lenses?

While traditional contact lenses work well for many people, some patients need a more customized solution. Specialty contact lenses are particularly beneficial for those with the following conditions:

1. Keratoconus: This condition causes the cornea to thin and bulge into a cone-like shape, distorting vision. Scleral lenses are often the best option for keratoconus patients, as they provide a smooth surface that compensates for the irregular cornea.

2. Astigmatism: Patients with astigmatism have an irregularly shaped cornea or lens, which can make standard contacts uncomfortable or less effective. Specialty lenses like toric lenses (a type of GP or hybrid lens) can correct astigmatism with precision.

3. Severe Dry Eye: Those with dry eye syndrome may find regular contact lenses unbearable. Scleral lenses help by creating a reservoir of moisture between the lens and the cornea, offering comfort and improved hydration throughout the day.

4. Post-Surgery Vision Correction: Patients who have undergone LASIK, cataract surgery, or other refractive surgeries may experience irregularities in their corneas. Specialty lenses can offer a solution when traditional lenses or glasses don’t provide optimal vision.

5. Presbyopia: Multifocal specialty lenses can help people with presbyopia, a condition that affects near vision as we age. These lenses allow for both near and far vision correction, often eliminating the need for reading glasses.

6. Myopia Control in Children: For children with progressing myopia, Ortho-K lenses can slow down the progression of nearsightedness, reducing the risk of high myopia later in life.

Are Specialty Contact Lenses Right for You?

Specialty lenses not only improve vision but also enhance comfort and eye health for patients with more complex eye conditions. At Bright Eyes Optometry, we use advanced technology to ensure that your specialty lenses fit your eyes perfectly. During a comprehensive contact lens exam, we evaluate your eye health, prescription, and any specific conditions you may have, tailoring a solution that works best for you.

Optimizing Your Vision with Bright Eyes Optometry

If you’ve struggled with traditional contact lenses or have an eye condition that requires a more tailored approach, specialty contact lenses may be the perfect solution. At Bright Eyes Optometry, we’re committed to helping you achieve your best vision in the most comfortable way possible.

Schedule a consultation with Bright Eyes Optometry to discover if specialty contact lenses are the right choice for your eyes. Contact our office in Red Bank, New Jersey, by calling (732) 605-0300 to book an eye exam today.