What are specialty contact lenses?

The majority of the people can wear mass-produced contact lenses (think cookie-cutter, one size fits all), but some patients require specialty contact lenses that are custom designed (think tailoring). These uniquely-made contacts are for one patient’s specific eyes, meaning those contacts only work for the eyes of that patient. Typically, these patients do not do well with glasses as the front surface of their eye (the cornea) is optically defective.

A few reasons specialty contact lenses would be used: 

1. When a patient’s cornea, the front surface of the eye, has an abnormal shape (ex: due to diseases like pellucid degeneration, high irregular astigmatism, keratoconus)

2. When a patient’s cornea has been damaged from ocular disease (ex: bacterial keratitis, scarring after HSV keratitis, ocular surface diseases, scarring from keratoconus)

3. When a patient has failed outcomes after eye surgery (ex: post-LASIK ectasia)

4. To restore vision in conjunction with a successful eye surgery (ex: corneal transplant)

5. To maximize comfort for patients with dry eyes

6. For myopia control, reducing the progression of nearsightedness and growth of the eye’s length

7. After trauma to the eye

8. To create a pinhole (ex: naturally dilated eyes, iris coloboma)

9. For costuming, custom eye colors/designs (ex: blind eye, theater, film, television, etc) – for aesthetic reasons only

This by no means is a comprehensive list. For these patients, specialty contact lenses change their lives and are medically necessary. The technology has given many of them, who previously had no options, a new chance at sight.

There are various designs, features, and types of specialty contact lenses, from scleral gas permeable to hybrid lenses to orthokeratology. An optometrist who fits specialty contact lenses will be able to determine what lenses best suits a patient’s needs, maximizing visual potential and comfort.

Specialty contact lens fittings are a technical and creative process. Fittings involve multiple office visits throughout the process. Patients should be prepared to have a dialogue with their doctor about their comfort level, vision quality, and lifestyle. Patience is needed, as the process is similar to writing a rough draft and making edits until a final essay is produced. It may take one or multiple attempts to get the right lenses. Patients should not get discouraged, and they should be honest with their optometrist about their needs. Communication is an important part of the process on both ends.

What is the difference between various contact lens brands?

Different brands benefit different patients. A lens that is comfortable for one patient may be uncomfortable to another. A lens that gives clear vision for one patient may be less than ideal for another.

There are a multitude of brands for every product we use, and contact lenses are no different. With varying levels of quality, technical designs, and types of materials, contact lenses provide endless options for patients.

Some lenses have better oxygen flow to the eyes while others may have better wettability for comfort. Lenses also vary in their sizes and curvatures. Some lenses are flatter while others are curvier (like a plate vs a cup). These factors all affect comfort, wear time, and ocular health. Our eyes are not all the same, so various lens options exist to obtain the best possible lens fit on the eye, allowing for optimal eye health.

When lenses fits properly, clear and comfortable vision is provided. If a lens is too tight or too loose, problems arise and hurt the health of the eyes. If the chemical composition of the lens is not agreeable to the patient's particular ocular physiology, an exaggerated allergic reaction and rejection of the contact lens may occur as well. 

Different types of lenses benefit different patients. Toric contact lenses provide optimal optical correction for patients with a high astigmatism (when the eye is more football-shaped than beach ball-shaped). Multifocal contact lenses suit patients who need a correction for near work (ex: reading, computer-use) and also young kids who over-focus their eyes.

Just as there are distinct tiers for car makers (Volkswagen, Lexus, Porsche), contact lenses have different tiers of quality and corresponding cost as well. Newer designs and materials have resulted in less chronic eye disease and complications overall.

What are bad contact lens habits that threaten my vision?

DO NOT:

1. Swim in contact lenses

2. Sleep in contact lenses

3. Shower in contact lenses

4. Use tap water or homemade saline solution to store/clean contact lenses

5. Use contacts past their disposal date (ex: use daily-disposable contacts as monthly-disposable contacts)

6. Put contacts back in your eye after they fall on the floor or an unclean surface

Patients, please reference the handout here for complete soft CL hygiene.

DO:

1. Dispose of your contacts on schedule (daily, weekly, etc)

   The clock starts when the package is opened – not how long the contacts have been in your eyes!

2. Change your contact lens case monthly

3. Use an optometrist approved brand of contact lens solution (quality solutions make contact lenses more clean and comfortable, as the chemicals in the solution work better with the lens materials)

4. Be conscientious of your contact lens wearing time, and try to switch into glasses as soon as you get home

5. Have a pair of back up glasses for situations in which contact lenses are unable to be worn (eye infection, allergic reaction, out of contacts, etc)

6. Consider recycling your contact lenses: https://www.bauschcontactlenses.com/recycling/