Specialty Contact Lenses

Most patients who need contacts are prescribed soft lenses. However, not every patient’s eyes are right for soft lenses. Some eye conditions make a person hard to fit for contacts, making specialty contacts a better option.

If an eye condition is preventing you from using a soft contact lens, our professionals can fit you with the right pair of specialty lenses.

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Hard to Fit Conditions

There are a few conditions of the eye that will make it difficult or impossible for you to wear traditional soft lenses. These include:

Dry eye: Dry eye occurs when your eyes do not make enough tears to keep your eyes lubricated. Soft lenses dry your eyes out, making the dry eye symptoms worse.

Keratoconus: This condition occurs when your cornea bulges into a cone shape. It can be challenging to wear soft lenses when you have a misshapen cornea.

Astigmatism: This is a common refractive error characterized by misshapen corneas, which makes wearing traditional contacts difficult.

Giant papillary conjunctivitis: This condition causes red bumps to develop under the lid. It also causes itching, discharge, and tearing. Unfortunately, wearing soft contacts can worsen the condition.

Presbyopia: Presbyopia occurs around the age of 40 and makes it difficult to see close.

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Specialty Contacts

Your eye doctor can prescribe a few types of specialty contacts. The lens they prescribe would depend on the condition that makes you a candidate for specialty contacts.

Rigid gas permeable: These lenses are harder than traditional soft lenses, which makes them a good treatment option for keratoconus. Protein does not adhere to these lenses as easily, which is less irritating for patients with giant papillary conjunctivitis.

Scleral contacts: These lenses don’t sit on the cornea like traditional lenses do. They sit on the white of the eye, and the prescription part of the lens vaults over the cornea. Since the lenses don’t rest on the cornea, they are great for dry eye, keratoconus and astigmatism.

Toric lenses: Toric lenses are prescribed for patients with astigmatism because they are designed to fit on misshapen corneas while correcting the refractive error.

Bifocal contacts: These lenses are prescribed for patients with presbyopia because each lens contains one prescription to see close and one to see objects in the distance.

Monovision lenses: If you cannot get used to bifocal lenses, monovision lenses are another option. Your doctor would prescribe a lens for closeup for one eye and a lens for distance for the other.

Ortho-K: Ortho-K lenses are an excellent alternative for anyone who is not a good candidate for LASIK. They’re worn overnight, and while you sleep, the contacts gently correct the shape of your eye. When you wake up in the morning, you can see clearly without correction. Because your eyes don’t require much moisture as you sleep, Ortho-K is a great option if you have dry eye.

Call Optical Expressions Today!

Don’t let an eye condition prevent you from experiencing the convenience and visual clarity contact lenses offer. Schedule an appointment with Optical Expressions in Scottsdale and Phoenix. Our eye doctors can fit you with the best lenses to treat your condition.

Schedule an Appointment