Unless you have extensive experience with contact lenses, you may believe that all contacts are the same. After all, their shape and design are comparable. However, there are many different types of contact lenses available, which means that there is something for practically every patient. This is especially significant because some individuals require specialised contact lenses.
What precisely are speciality contact lenses?
Speciality contact lenses are created for patients with corneal or other eye difficulties for whom standard contacts are ineffective.
Regular contact lenses must fit correctly and comfortably because they lie directly on the eyes’ surface, covering the cornea. Regrettably, because not everyone has a perfectly formed cornea, conventional contacts will not fit everyone. In addition, some people have ocular issues, such as dry eye, that make using traditional contact lenses challenging.
Fortunately, a variety of specialist contact lenses are available to fight these difficulties and allow these patients to enjoy clear vision without glasses.
Contact lenses that are rigid and gas permeable
For people with dry eyes, gas-permeable contact lenses are sometimes advised. Because the material allows adequate oxygen to pass through to the cornea, the eyes do not dry up as rapidly, keeping the eyes more pleasant. In addition, even though they are not hard lenses, their rigidity helps the cornea keep its shape while wearing them, which can be beneficial in treating some corneal disorders.
Contact lenses for sclera
Scleral contact lenses are larger in diameter than traditional contacts. Still, instead of lying directly on the eye’s surface, they vault over it, leaving a space between the cornea and the lens. As a result, scleral lenses are effective for various conditions that make using normal contact lenses impractical or impossible. For example, the gap allows patients with corneal abnormalities such as keratoconus or surgical scars to wear contact lenses. It also serves as a reservoir for tear film, maintaining it on the surface of the eyes for longer and alleviating dry eye symptoms.
Contact lenses with a limbal fit
Limbal contact lenses are another speciality lens that, in terms of diameter, fall between rigid gas permeable lenses and scleral variants. Their bigger overall diameter contributes to their greater stability on the surface of your eyes. They also cause less interference with the eyelids, ensuring comfort and clarity of vision.
Contact lenses for orthokeratology
Orthokeratology is a novel approach to vision correction and preventing refractive eye error myopia progression. Orthokeratology lenses are custom-built for each patient and made of a substance that allows them to be worn overnight. While you sleep, their shape and the natural tear film from your eyes gently rearrange your cornea, allowing you to see well without needing daytime contact lenses the following day.
Orthokeratology lenses have been demonstrated to be exceptionally effective at slowing myopia progression, particularly in children, and helping patients see clearly without the need for daytime contact. This is significant because it may also avoid some consequences of extreme myopia, such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and retinal detachment. Therefore, we are glad to provide Proactive Corneal Reshaping lenses, which are personalised orthokeratology lenses, to our patients.
