Are you curious about what exactly SynergEyes is?
SynergEyes is best known for its hybrid contact lenses. These lenses combine the features of a rigid gas permeable (RGP) center with a soft outer skirt. The company also makes a scleral lens, the SynergEyes VS.
SynergEyes’ range includes lenses for people with astigmatism, presbyopia, keratoconus, irregular corneas, and post-surgery complications. But are these lenses right for you?
At a Glance
This guide explains what types of contact lenses SynergEyes makes. We look at what each lens is designed to correct, how they work, and their unique features. We also read some reviews by people who have tried SynergEyes.
What Is SynergEyes?
SynergEyes was founded in 2001. The brand’s founders identified a need for a lens that could combine the visual performance of an RGP lens with the comfort of a soft lens. The company launched its first hybrid lens, SynergEyes A, in 2005 after receiving FDA approval.
SynergEyes now offers a range of specialty lenses for conditions including astigmatism, presbyopia, keratoconus, and other corneal irregularities.
What Are SynergEyes Hybrid Contact Lenses?
A hybrid contact lens is a lens made up of two different materials. The center is made from rigid gas permeable (RGP) material. This part is what provides the optical correction. Around it is a soft skirt that sits against the eye.
An RGP lens can give excellent vision correction, especially for people with an irregular cornea that is not perfectly smooth. However, the problem is that some people can find rigid lenses less comfortable. A hybrid lens provides the comfort of a soft lens with the advantages of an RGP lens.
SynergEyes uses this basic design for all its hybrid lenses. It then changes the geometry and optics based on the condition treated.
What Lenses Does SynergEyes Offer?
SynergEyes offers 10 hybrid lenses and one scleral lens.
SynergEyes iD Single Vision
Introduced in 2021, iD Single Vision is a custom hybrid lens. It helps correct myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, or a mix of these conditions.
SynergEyes iD Multifocal EDOF
The multifocal version of iD is designed for presbyopia. Instead of using distinct zones for different viewing distances, like many traditional multifocal contact lenses do, it uses an extended depth of focus (EDOF) design. The lens gradually changes in power across its optical zone. This helps provide a continuous range of vision from near to far.
Duette
Duette is a hybrid lens for people with astigmatism. Its RGP center means it stays in position on the eye, and the lens doesn’t need to rotate into a specific position like a soft toric lens does. SynergEyes developed Duette as an alternative to soft toric contacts.
Duette Progressive
Duette Progressive adds multifocal correction to the Duette design for people with astigmatism and presbyopia. It uses an aspheric design to create a gradual change in power between near, intermediate, and distance vision.
UltraHealth
UltraHealth is a hybrid lens designed for people with keratoconus or other corneal irregularities. The RGP center vaults over the irregular part of the cornea instead of resting up against it like a soft contact. The lens is known for its high oxygen permeability, which lets plenty of oxygen reach the cornea during wear.
SynergEyes A
SynergEyes A was the first lens the company launched. It’s a hybrid lens for high astigmatism, mild cornea irregularities, and early-stage keratoconus.
SynergEyes KC
This is the company’s first hybrid lens design for keratoconus. Unlike the ClearKone and UltraHealth, which came later, the KC has a more traditional hybrid design. It does not vault over the cornea.
SynergEyes PS
“PS” stands for “post-surgical.” It’s a lens designed for corneas that have changed shape after surgery, like LASIK or corneal trauma. It has a reverse-curve design made for the flatter shape that can sometimes result from surgery.
SynergEyes MF
This is SynergEyes’ first hybrid multifocal lens. Designed for people with presbyopia, the RGP center of the lens corrects both near and distance vision with different zones. This differs from the newer iD Multifocal EDOF, which changes in power across the lens.
ClearKone
ClearKone is designed for keratoconus and other irregular corneas. Its RGP center vaults over the bulging area of the cornea caused by keratoconus instead of resting directly on it. This keeps the lens centered even when the steepest part of the cornea isn’t centered.
SynergEyes VS
At the time of writing, SynergEyes VS is the company’s only lens that isn’t a hybrid. It’s a rigid scleral lens that sits over the cornea and rests on the white part of the eye, called the sclera.
You’ll fill the scleral lens with solution before you place it on your eye. This leaves a liquid layer between the lens and your cornea. The design of the VS allows it to be adjusted in two different directions to match the shape of the sclera. Unlike the company’s other lenses, SynergEyes VS is currently available only in the U.S.
What SynergEyes Customers Say
SynergEyes lenses are specialty lenses that treat complex conditions, and there’s a large range of lenses. Because of that, people’s experiences vary. But overall, the feedback appears to be very promising.
One study reported that 79.5% of people found SynergEyes more comfortable than traditional RGP lenses.
What Reddit Users Say
Some people have also taken to Reddit to share their experiences with SynergEyes. A user called “Onekindofgal” asked people how they felt about the lenses:
“Does anyone wear SynergEyes Contact Lenses?!
I’ve been wearing these for like 20 years now I think and I was wondering if anybody else wears this hybrid contact lens? hard lens with soft skirt.”
The majority of the responses were positive! Useful_Character3782 said that SynergEyes lenses have changed their life:
“Been wearing them for 20 years. I get 20/20 vision with them! My left eye is so bad. I can barely see the big E at an exam. They have to do finger reading. So these lenses literally changed my life!”
MicheladaMich said:
“I wear them !!! I love them compared to wearing hard lens contacts – i can really see with these !!!”
However, another Redditor reported they’d been having some trouble with their lenses. They were a SynergEyes beginner, and from their post, it seemed like they’d recently been prescribed the SynergEyes VS scleral lens. Common problems with scleral lenses include midday fogging and air bubbles (if not inserted correctly).
They wrote:
“I have a pair now.
I’m curious how they’ll work for me, as I’m really new to them, and I haven’t been able to get them in without a bubble my whole first week. Which means I can’t keep them in for more than a minute or two.
However I’m down from about 90 minutes and freaking out, to a few minutes of getting them in and out. Just have to get past the bubble.
Fortunately I see my eye doc tomorrow for a prescription checkup so I’m hoping they help me seat them properly.”
It’s not surprising that this Redditor is having trouble with their scleral lens; they’re notoriously tricky in the beginning. However, once you get the hang of inserting them, the results can be outstanding.
In their comment, they mention they had an appointment scheduled the next day with their eye doctor. Hopefully they got their bubble trouble sorted out!
SynergEyes Lens Range
| SynergEyes lens | Type | Condition |
| iD Single Vision | Hybrid | Myopia, hyperopia and/or astigmatism |
| iD Multifocal EDOF | Hybrid | Presbyopia |
| Duette | Hybrid | Regular astigmatism |
| Duette Progressive | Hybrid | Astigmatism and presbyopia |
| UltraHealth | Hybrid | Keratoconus and irregular corneas |
| SynergEyes A | Hybrid | High astigmatism and mildly irregular corneas |
| SynergEyes KC | Hybrid | Keratoconus |
| SynergEyes PS | Hybrid | Post-surgical corneas |
| SynergEyes MF | Hybrid | Presbyopia |
| ClearKone | Hybrid | Irregular corneas and keratoconus |
| SynergEyes VS | Scleral | Irregular corneas and other corneal conditions |
FAQs About SynergEyes Contact Lenses
How do I buy SynergEyes lenses?
SynergEyes lenses aren’t lenses that you can just order online with an existing prescription. They’re specialty contacts that need to be prescribed and fitted by an eye care professional. If you think SynergEyes lenses might be right for you, talk to your eye doctor.
How much do SynergEyes lenses cost?
Since SynergEyes lenses are specialty/custom lenses and require individual fittings, the costs can vary wildly. Rough estimates for SynergEyes lenses put the out-of-pocket costs at around $1,000 to $2,500 in the first year of getting your lenses.
The lenses alone can cost between $300 and $800 per pair, and the replacement schedule for most SynergEyes lenses is six months. But the price you pay depends on your insurance plan. It also depends on the SynergEyes lens type you need. Costs for the fitting and doctor visits can also affect the total.
What are the alternatives to SynergEyes contact lenses?
SynergEyes lenses aren’t for everyone, and they might not be in your budget. Depending on your prescription and eye health, standard contacts may work just as well. EZContacts carries a huge selection of lenses, including:
- Spherical lenses for standard nearsightedness or farsightedness.
- Toric lenses for astigmatism.
- Bifocal/multifocal lenses for presbyopia and multi-distance clarity.
- Multifocal + toric lenses for both astigmatism and presbyopia.
If these more widely available contacts can’t correct your vision, your eye doctor may recommend other options. These may include scleral lenses, traditional RGP lenses, or custom-made soft lenses.
TL;DR
- SynergEyes makes specialty contact lenses for astigmatism, presbyopia, keratoconus, irregular corneas, and post-surgical corneal changes.
- Most SynergEyes lenses are hybrids, combining an RGP center with a soft outer skirt.
- The company offers a variety of hybrid designs for different vision and corneal needs, including multifocal and corneal-vaulting lenses.
- SynergEyes VS is the company’s only scleral lens.
- To purchase SynergEyes lenses, you must have the lenses prescribed and fitted by a doctor first.
