How to Know If You Need Specialty Contact Lenses

Not all contact lenses are the same. They may be similar in shape and design, but some are specifically made for patients with special eye conditions. Conventional contact lenses mainly cater to visual needs. However, specialty contact lenses also cater to other issues that affect the correction of visual problems.

Types of Specialty Contact Lenses

These lenses cater to corneal conditions and other eye problems. They make it possible for patients to enjoy clear vision without using eyeglasses. You will likely find a specialty contact lens to cater to your unique eye condition.
 

The different types of specialty contact lenses include:
 

• Rigid gas-permeable lenses
   

• Scleral lenses
   

• Toric lenses
   

• Orthokeratology lenses
   

• Hybrid lenses
   

• Limbal fit contact lenses

Do I Need Specialty Contact Lenses?

Although conventional contact lenses may improve your vision, they may not fit. They may also irritate your eyes. People with certain eye conditions have a difficult time fitting contact lenses. You may need to get specialty lenses if you fall into any category below.

Severe Dry Eyes

Conventional contact lenses may irritate your eyes and worsen the symptoms of dry eyes. They ordinarily cause dry eyes when you wear them for long periods. Hence, you need to get specialty contact lenses to prevent further irritation.

The best specialty contact lenses for dry eyes are rigid gas permeable contact lenses. These lenses consist of a material that allows oxygen to flow. They allow your eyes to breathe, do not dry them out, and keep them comfortable. You can also try scleral lenses that lie on the scleral area of the eye which also prevent the eyes from drying out.

Eye Surgery

Procedures like LASIK or corneal transplant change the shape of the eye. They make it difficult for conventional lenses to stay on the eyes. Give your eyes time to heal by using specialty contact lenses. In this case, you can try prosthetic, scleral, or rigid gas permeable lenses.

Corneal Diseases

Some corneal diseases like astigmatism cause vision loss and change the shape of the cornea. It becomes difficult for conventional lenses to fit and stay on the eyes. Keratoconus makes the eye bulge outward due to a thinning cornea. It results in sensitivity to light and blurry vision.

You will need specialty contact lenses if you have these corneal diseases. They cause changes to the shape of the cornea. In this case, you can try scleral, rigid gas-permeable, toric, or hybrid lenses.

Other Eye Conditions

Other eye conditions do not affect the cornea but make it hard to use conventional contacts. An example is giant papillary conjunctivitis. It causes irritation, redness, and swelling on the inside membrane of the eyelids. The best contact lenses for this eye condition and others like it are rigid gas-permeable or scleral lenses. These lenses do not accumulate debris and protein deposits.

Advances in technology make it possible to develop contact lenses for all eye conditions. Do not suffer in silence. Get a doctor who can recommend the best specialty contact lenses for your eye condition.

For more information on specialty contact lenses, visit Atlanta Eye Group at our offices in Alpharetta, Atlanta, and Kennesaw, Georgia. You can call (770) 727-0772 today to schedule an appointment.