Specialty Contact Lenses at Clarkson Eyecare

What Are Specialty Contact Lenses?

Specialty contacts lenses are different from traditional soft contact lenses because they are designed to simultaneously improve your vision and treat an eye condition or disease. Specialty contact lenses are for patients of all ages, including children.

Who Needs Specialty Contact Lenses?

Specialty contact lenses are recommended when traditional contact lenses will not or do not provide the vision and comfort a patient needs. They are like traditional lenses in that they provide vision correction. Unlike traditional lenses, they are designed specifically for people with eye irregularities, diseases, conditions, and corneal transplants. At Clarkson Eyecare our doctors are experts in custom contact lens fitting and will work with you to determine the best vision solution for your unique eyes.

Types of Specialty Contact Lenses at Clarkson Eyecare

At Clarkson Eyecare, we perform comprehensive eye exams and specialize in identifying and treating eye diseases and conditions. We work with you to determine the best vision correction solution based on your eye shape, health, and lifestyle. This may include recommending specialty contact lenses. Types of specialty contact lenses include:

Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Lenses

RGP lenses are the most common specialty contact lens. Although they are rigid and fit much closer to the eye than a scleral lens, they are still porous and allow oxygen to pass through. RGP lenses provide sharper vision for patients with astigmatism. They are also recommended for people with severe vision problems but not an eye disease or condition. 

Scleral Lenses

Traditional and RGP lenses cover just your cornea; scleral lenses cover the entire front surface of the eye, including the cornea and some of the white part you see (sclera). Scleral lenses are more stable and are recommended for people with irregular-shaped corneas and, in some cases, dry eye syndrome. 

Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) Lenses

These lenses are only worn overnight to correct corneal irregularities. During this time, the Ortho-K lenses work to gently reshape your cornea to allow you to see more clearly during the daytime. Ortho-K lenses are typically only worn at night and removed upon waking. They are recommended for people who are diagnosed with myopia (nearsightedness), particularly children, or hyperopia (farsightedness).

Hybrid Lenses

These lenses provide a more comfortable fit as well as clearer and sharper vision. Hybrid contact lenses combine the comfort of a soft or silicone hydrogel lens (traditional contact lenses) with the clarity of a RGP lens. They have a rigid gas permeable central zone that is surrounded by a hydrogel or silicone hydrogel material. 

Caring For Your Specialty Contact Lenses

Caring for specialty contact lenses is the same as it is for traditional lens types and equally as important to ensure your eyes remain healthy and your lenses stay effective. If you wear any lens type, the eye care team at Clarkson Eyecare recommends the following:

• Wash your hands with soap and water before touching your contact lenses

• Always use contact solution when rinsing and storing your contact lenses (never water, saline, or eye drops)

• Do not sleep in contact lenses (except for Ortho-K lenses, which are only worn at night)

• Do not swim in contact lenses

• Schedule routine eye exams to ensure your contact lenses are helping you see as clearly and comfortably as possible.