While soft contact lenses are the most popular type among corrective lenses, many other lens options are available—like specialty contact lenses. Helping with anything from improving symptoms of dry eye disease to high levels of astigmatism, discover specialty contact lenses and how they help corneal irregularities.
What are corneal irregularities?
Corneal irregularities are conditions where the cornea is not perfectly round or smooth. They often have abnormal shapes or uneven surfaces, leading to vision problems such as blurry vision, light sensitivity and discomfort with standard lenses.
Some common corneal irregularities include:
Keratoconus
A condition where the cornea gradually thins and bulges into a cone shape.
Post-surgical complications
After procedures such as LASIK or corneal transplants, some experience irregularities.
Corneal scarring
Trauma or infections can leave corneal scars, affecting its smoothness and shape.
Astigmatism
Severe cases of astigmatism can require specialty contact lenses.
Types of specialty contact lenses
Regular contact lenses may struggle to conform to an irregular eye shape, causing discomfort and pain. Specialty lenses fit the contours of your unique eye shapes. Check out these four specialty contact lenses and how they help corneal irregularities.
Scleral Lenses
Larger than standard lenses, this type of lens rests on the sclera rather than the cornea, allowing the lens to vault over the cornea. It creates a tear-filled reservoir that supplies moisture and comfort while smoothing the corneal surface. This lens type is beneficial for those with keratoconus or significant corneal scarring.
Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Lenses
RGP lenses are firm and hold their shape when placed on the eye. They create a new and smooth optical surface over the irregular cornea for crisp vision. Smaller than scleral lenses, RGP lenses are used for conditions like mild keratoconus or after corneal surgery.
Piggyback Lenses
Combining the comfort of soft lenses with the vision correction of RGP lenses, piggyback lenses provide sharper vision and are ideal for those who find RGP lenses uncomfortable.
Bifocal Contact Lenses
For those who experience both corneal irregularities and presbyopia, bifocal contact lenses are a good option. Specially designed to provide clear vision, bifocal contact lenses help patients see near and far.
Summary
With this information about specialty contact lenses and how they help corneal irregularities, is it time for your next lens fitting? Contact your local Mississippi Eye Care clinic to talk to a specialist and schedule an appointment.
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