What do you do if standard contact lenses just aren’t an option? Specialty contact lenses may help with these situations.
They’re often made using a process called corneal topography, or digital eye mapping, which creates a precise image of your eyes. Then, the contacts are made specifically for this digital map using lathe cutting or 3D printing.
In this article, I’ll talk about the different types of specialty contact lenses, what conditions they treat, and how to tell if they might be right for you.
At a Glance
This article discusses the different types of specialty contact lenses available, including RGP lenses, scleral lenses, custom soft lenses, hybrid lenses, multifocal lenses, and toric contacts.
Rigid Gas Permeable Lenses
Standard contacts are soft and flexible. But rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses are stiff and durable, so they maintain their shape in the eye and avoid warping.
Despite the stiff texture, RGP lenses still allow oxygen to flow through, helping to keep moisture in the eyes. Resistance to protein buildup and durability are two other benefits of RGP lenses.
However, there are a few drawbacks:
- There is an adjustment period, and if your eyes are very dry, they may feel uncomfortable when you first start wearing these lenses. It may take a few days or even several weeks to get used to them.
- Because RGP lenses are a little smaller than standard contacts, you may have problems with them slipping or popping out.
- RGP lenses are reusable contacts. You’ll need to follow a strict daily cleaning and disinfecting routine.
Scleral Lenses
A type of RGP lens, scleral lenses are made for people with difficulties like keratoconus (irregular corneas) or severe dry eye disease. They are often more comfortable for these situations because they touch the white part of the eye (the sclera), while skimming over the cornea.
Since they keep a layer of moisture over the cornea, scleral lenses are beneficial for severely dry eyes. Many people find them more comfortable than regular RGP lenses, even initially, and scleral lenses are less likely to pop out.
Again, scleral lenses require daily disinfecting and cleaning. You should fill the “bowl” of the lens (the part that skims over the cornea) with sterile saline before inserting them.
Hybrid Lenses
As the name might suggest, hybrid lenses can provide the comfort of a soft lens with the more advanced vision correction of an RGP lens. A soft “skirt” made of hydrogel or silicone hydrogel surrounds a rigid center.
Hybrid lenses are often used for severe astigmatism that isn’t corrected by standard toric lenses (the most common solution for astigmatism). They’re also used for keratoconus or other situations when regular contacts aren’t ideal.
Ortho-K Lenses
I’ve been seeing a lot of ads for “Ortho-K” technology and wondered how it worked. I found out that instead of wearing these contacts during the day (you know, when your eyes are open), you put them on at night before going to sleep.
While you’re sleeping, the lenses gradually reshape the cornea so it refracts light better. I like to think of Ortho-K as sort of a nighttime retainer for your eyes; just a lot less awkward.
Ortho-K lenses are often used by people with myopia or astigmatism. However, it’s important to remember that Ortho-K isn’t a permanent fix. You’ll have to keep wearing the lenses at night regularly. If you stop, your corneas will return to their previous shape. This could lead to trouble seeing again.
Custom Soft Specialty Contact Lenses
These specialty contact lenses are made of the same soft hydrogel or silicone hydrogel material as typical soft lenses. However, they are customized for your eyes using lathe cutting, 3D printing, or injection molding. Because they are made specifically for your eyes, custom lenses tend to be more comfortable and provide sharper vision.
Since they’re more difficult and expensive to produce, custom soft lenses are typically not available as daily disposable lenses. Instead, they’re usually on a longer replacement schedule, such as every few months or annually. This depends on the specific lens and your eye-care professional’s recommendations. They also require careful cleaning and disinfection.
Multifocal Contact Lenses
Multifocal contacts feature different prescription powers to help people see clearly at multiple distances. They can help you see close up, far away, and in between. They’re often used for people with presbyopia, which is an age-related change in near vision.
Using multifocal contacts does require some adjustment time. But eventually, you’ll learn to focus on the area that helps you see best in each situation.
There are different types of multifocals, including:
- Aspheric or progressive (power changes from the center to the outside of the lens).
- Concentric (alternating rings for near and far distances).
- Segmented (similar to bifocals with near at the bottom and far at the top).
There are multifocal contacts from a wide variety of brands, and daily disposable and reusable contacts are available. You can find numerous multifocal contacts on EZContacts.
Toric Lenses
Toric lenses correct astigmatism, which occurs when the cornea or lens has an irregular, football-like shape. The lenses feature stabilization technology that helps them stay properly oriented on the eye.
Toric lenses are available in daily, biweekly, and monthly options. If you have severe astigmatism or a more complex prescription, your eye doctor may recommend a specialty option. This could include a custom soft, hybrid, or rigid gas permeable (RGP) lens.
EZContacts has a wide range of soft toric contacts available, including daily disposable options and reusable options. You can also find multifocal toric contacts, which can correct both astigmatism and presbyopia.
FAQs
Are there specialty contact lenses I can wear while swimming?
Unfortunately, it is not safe to wear any contact lenses while swimming. The water contains germs and other irritants that can get trapped under the lenses; next thing you know, you could have a painful infection or ulcer. Ouch!
However, if you’re nearsighted, you can wear Ortho-K lenses while sleeping, which will help you see better when swimming. Or, you could buy a pair of prescription swim goggles.
Are specialty contact lenses more expensive than standard contacts?
Yes, these lenses are often more expensive. Prices could range from hundreds to thousands of dollars a year, depending on the particular type of lens and your needs. Fortunately, vision insurance often covers contacts. If not, you might be able to use FSA/HSA funds to purchase them.
TL;DR
- Specialty contacts can help correct severe or uncommon vision issues that standard contacts can’t typically fix. These contacts are made specifically for your eye using digital mapping and techniques like lathe cutting or 3D printing.
- Many specialty, custom-made contact lenses aren’t disposable, so they require careful cleaning.
- Two other kinds of specialty contacts are multifocal lenses and toric lenses. Multifocal lenses help correct presbyopia. Toric lenses help correct astigmatism.
- If you have any questions about which lens is best for you, reach out to your eye doctor.
