Specialty Contact Lens Exam

Keratoconus is a eye disease where the cornea (front surface of the eye) thins and bulges forward into a cone shape. Soft contact lenses often cause discomfort and distortion because the lenses do not properly correct the patient’s vision. Rigid gas permeable lenses or other specialty contact lens options are instead recommended, as these lenses act as the cornea or the front surface of the eye due to the hard surface. It is also thought that some specialty lenses may slow the progression of the disease.

Pellucid Marginal Degeneration (PMD) is a non-inflammatory, non-hereditary disease of the front surface of the where the cornea (front surface of the eye) becomes thinner in the peripheral aspect next to the limbus (white part of the eye). Rigid gas permeable or other specialty contact lenses are the best option due to often irregular astigmatism (multiple curvatures of the eye with fluctuating/changing power) making it challenging for the patient to see without distortion, double vision, ghosting, or haloes in the patient’s vision.

Keratoglobus is a non-inflammatory corneal (front surface of the eye) condition where the cornea becomes thinner and protrudes. Specialty contact lenses are often recommended to improve the visual outcomes for patients due to distortion, ghosting, and other visual symptoms.

Refractive surgery often leads to improvement of the patient’s vision; however, there are rare cases where patients experience complications. Patients may experience glare at night or corneal ectasias (thinning of the front surface of the eye) causing visual distortions or even double vision. Specialty contact lenses are often recommended in these cases, as soft contact lenses may or may not improve those visual symptoms.

Corneal scarring can occur from a host of insults that may include: burns, viral sources (shingles, simplex virus), bacterial infection, autoimmune response, or other sources. Specialty contact lenses often protect the front surface of the eye while also improving visual comfort and clarity.

Moderate/Severe dry eye can cause symptoms such as: burning, redness, irritation, and a foreign body (gritty) feeling. Dry eye syndrome can also cause decreased vision or blurry vision at all distances. Many patients often report that contact lenses worsen their symptoms; therefore, it is important to determine the underlying cause of your dry eye. There are many options to improve your dry eye syndrome. After dry eye syndrome is addressed, specialty contact lenses may be a solution or part of the solution to address your concerns. Talk with your eye doctor to determine if this is right for you.

Corneal astigmatism is where the front surface of the eye has a significant curvature or steepness. Given this curvature difference, contact lenses often rotate causing vision distortion or blurry vision. Your eye care provider can offer multiple options to improve your vision that may not be readily available in traditional or common brands offered.

Giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC) is a condition where the inner part of the eyelid surface (palpebral conjunctiva) becomes swollen with little bumps called papillae. This condition worsens or is caused due to the accumulation of protein or deposits on contact lenses (cloudy white deposits). To solve this, your eye doctor may recommend a new solution, daily contact lens options, or specialty contact lenses. In moderate/severe cases, your eye doctor may recommend not to wear contact lenses for a certain period while your eye doctor prescribes eye drops to improve your signs/symptoms.

Rigid gas permeable contact lenses are made from a durable material that acts as the cornea (or front surface of the eye). These lenses offer superior optics, less flexure in the lens itself, and reduces protein buildup on the lens. The lenses are much smaller than most soft contact lenses with a longer lifespan of annual replacement.

Scleral contact lenses vault the entire front surface of the cornea without touching it at all. The edge of the contact lens sits on the conjunctiva/sclera (white part of the eye entirely). These lenses are often offered for patients with dry eye syndrome, advanced keratoconus or corneal ectasias (thinning of front surface of the eye). These contact lenses are filled with an approved preservative-free saline solution, which helps hydrate and lubricate the eye with contact lens wear. Discuss this with your eye doctor to determine if this option is right for you!

Hybrid lenses offer a durable center allowing excellent clarity visually while offering a soft skirt (or peripheral design) allowing for maximal comfort for the wearer.

Prosthetic soft contact lenses offer varying sizes, colors, pupil designs, and other features to cloak or cover up cosmetic variabilities for patients with eye diseases. For example, a patient with significant scarring may be self-conscious regarding a white spot on the front surface of the eye. A prosthetic soft contact lens may be used to match the non-affected eye to make the patient less selfconscious about the appearance of the affected eye.

• Comprehensive Eye Examination + corneal topography mapping
  • Specialty contact lenses ordered (1-2 weeks)
  • All professional fees are non-refundable & paid in advance
  • Some contact lenses may be returned if non-adaptable to the product (inquire with the team)
• 1st Follow-Up: Your eye doctor places the contact lens on the eye to ensure a proper fit and vision quality
  • Your eye doctor may change parameters of the lens and reorder
  • Your eye doctor may determine a near perfect fit with a contact lens class then scheduled
• 2nd Follow-Up: Your optometry coordinator/assistant completes an insertion/removal class
  • Patient must insert/remove the contact lens a total of two times in office
  • Care instructions and maintenance discussed in office
• Final Follow-Up: Your eye provider completes a last check of the front surface of the eye and to ensure good vision at distance and near