Contact lenses for special eye problems

While most people can get used to contact lenses easily and are satisfied with regular contact lenses, some people have special eye problems and are not suitable to wear contacts. They require a particular fitting by an eye care practitioner (ECP). Some ECPs specialize in treating these hard-to-fit patients. They provide more expertise and advanced equipments for contacts fitting.

Customized contact lenses for astigmatic eyes

Astigmatism eyes are also more difficult to fit than common myopia or hyperopia eyes, since the eye cornea is not perfectly round. The current solution to astigmatism eyes is using toric contacts, which should never rotate while blinking. They are provided in soft type, RGPs as well as customized styles for high prescription. Hybrid contacts are another possible option for astigmatism.

Bifocal and monovision contact lenses for presbyopic patients

Presbyopia eyes are also hard to go with contact lenses. Opticians always use bifocal contacts and monovision lenses with precise fitting to correct this eye problem. Both of these two solutions require patients to take more time to get adapted. The fitting process is time-consuming so that these lenses are more expensive. In fact, they deserve a high price.

Artificial tears and punctal plugs help relieve dry eye

Chronic dry eye is a common eye problem which is estimated to affect 20% of the Americans so that they may not feel so good with contacts. This eye problem has some usual symptoms, such as frequent tearing, red eyes, watery tears and feeling objects in the eyes. Since dry eyes affect the fitting of contacts, some doctors may treat these eyes using various methods. For example, using artificial tears and medicated eye drops can help people generate more tears and improve eye nutrition. Opticians may also insert punctal plugs into your eyelids’ inner margin, so as to hold most of your tears, which only costs several minutes and is painless. All these treatments aim to keep more tears in eyes. For people with dry eyes, traditional soft contacts are not the right solution since they absorb tears. New designed soft contacts do better in keeping moisture in the eyes. RGPs provide a better way to fit dry eyes, because they never “consume” moisture in the eyes.

Fitting techniques for Keratoconus eyes

RGPs are the right solution for Keratoconus since they are made of non-bendable materials. RGP contacts replace the irregular surface of a Keratoconus cornea. If the Keratoconus eyes are not suitable for direct RGPs, “piggybacking” is used. Using this technique, RGPs are covered over soft lenses so that they will be more comfortable. Keratoconus eyes may also use exclusively designed hybrid contacts, which combine a GP center and a soft ring around it. Another option of contacts for Keratoconus relates to the white sclera of the eye. These large-diameter sclera GP lenses provide the irregular Keratoconus eye surface with a more stable and comfortable fitting.

How to fight against Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis

A common inflammatory problem named Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis (GPC) also causes difficult contacts fitting. The protein excretions in tears bring a filmy coating on contacts, which affect comfort and good vision. Eye drops may help in reducing the possibility of GPC. Contact lenses should keep away from these proteins. A simplest way is to wear soft daily disposable contacts, which will never be bothered by protein deposits. Another choice is GP contacts, which are more resistant to proteins deposits than soft lenses. Common soft lenses retain proteins easily even with frequent cleaning.

Contact lenses for post-LASIK use

Since LASIK does not always help resume a perfect vision, especially treating high prescriptions, contact lenses are still helpful after LASIK. This condition requires more consideration and trials for contacts fitting. Soft contacts, special RGPs and hybrid lenses are effective to provide a better vision after LASIK for high degree astigmatism. RGPs and hybrid contacts help solve LASIK complications and excessive glare, as well as providing sharper night vision.

Actually, most of the contacts dealing with hard-to-fit eye problems require more time and money. Eye care practitioners must acquire more expertise to be competent.