What are specialty contact lenses?

Specialty contact lenses are custom fitted contact lenses that may correct for high prescriptions, high astigmatism, presbyopia, corneal irregularities, keratoconus, and even severe dry eye disease. Not all eye doctors fit specialty contact lenses, so it is important to find a practice like SeeSharp that has the experience to offer this service. If you have been told in the past that you are not a candidate for contact lenses, but are interested in them, please schedule a consultation with our eye doctor because there is likely a lens for you!

What are scleral contact lenses?

Scleral contact lenses are made from a rigid gas permeable material that is large enough to vault over the entire cornea and lands on the white of the eye, the sclera. The size and description of the lenses makes them intimidating at first, but they can actually be the most comfortable type of contact lens if fit properly by a contact lens specialist like our eye doctor at SeeSharp! The most sensitive nerve endings are within the cornea. Since these lenses do not make contact with the cornea there is little to know irritation. Prior to insertion, the lenses are filled with non-preserved saline solution, which will bathe the cornea all day long. Therefore, scleral lenses are not only comfortable, but are specifically prescribed for patients suffering from severe dry eye. Imagine a contact lens that actually treats dry eye instead of causing dry eye!

General indications for scleral lenses include:

• Severe Dry Eye Disease
• Keratoconus
• Pellucid Marginal Degeneration
• Corneal Ectasia
• Corneal Irregularities
• Lagophthalmos
• Contact Lens Intolerance
• High Prescription
• High Astigmatism

What are Hybrid Contact Lenses?

Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) lenses have been used since the invention of contact lenses. They provide excellent vision, especially for those with high prescriptions, high astigmatism, and corneal irregularities. Unfortunately, RGPs are terribly uncomfortable, especially to new wearers. If you require the vision associated with RGP lenses, but cannot tolerate wearing the lenses, then hybrid contact lenses may be a good option for you. These are an incredible invention where an RGP lens is fused to a soft contact lens. These provide the best of both worlds: excellent vision through the RGP center along with the all-day-comfort of a traditional soft lens "skirt" around the edges. Hybrids, similar to sclerals, are also filled with non-preserved saline prior to insertion, which make them also an excellent choice for patients suffering from dry eye disease and contact lens intolerance.

Indications for Hybrid Lenses:

• Keratoconus
• Pellucid Marginal Degeneration
• Corneal Ectasia
• Corneal Irregularities
• Rigid Gas Permeable lens wearers seeking improved comfort
• Soft Contact Lens wearers seeking sharper vision
• High prescriptions
• High Astigmatism