Contact lenses are a relatively simple piece of technology, just an alternative to eyeglasses, but they can be much more. Powerful specialty lens technologies, such as toric, scleral, and orthokeratology (ortho-k) lenses, are powerful solutions for unique and challenging eye conditions. This blog post explores the different types of specialty lenses, shedding light on how they work and who can benefit from them.
Toric Lenses: A Purpose-Built Solution to Astigmatism
The manufacturers design toric contact lenses to correct astigmatism, a common condition characterized by an irregularly shaped cornea or lens inside the eye. Unlike regular contacts, toric lenses have a unique shape that allows them to remain stable on the eye, ensuring consistent vision correction. This stability is crucial for providing clear vision at all distances, as it compensates for the eye's irregular shape.
Astigmatism often accompanies other refractive errors, such as myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness). Toric lenses address this combination by offering a tailored fit that corrects multiple vision issues simultaneously. Ideal candidates for toric lenses are those diagnosed with astigmatism and looking for a comfortable, effective contact lens solution.
Scleral Lenses: Comfort for Sensitive Eyes
Scleral lenses are large contacts designed to vault over the entire corneal surface and rest on the white part of the eye, known as the sclera. This design makes them an excellent choice for individuals with irregular corneas, dry eye syndrome, or other conditions that make wearing traditional contact lenses uncomfortable or impossible.
The space between the cornea and the lens acts as a fluid reservoir, providing continuous hydration and helping to heal the eye's surface. Patients with keratoconus (a condition where the cornea bulges outward), severe dry eye, or post-surgical irregularities can significantly benefit from the comfort and improved vision scleral lenses offer.
Although they are large, scleral lenses are reputed to be exceptionally comfortable.
Orthokeratology Lenses, Reshaping Your Sight
Patients wear ortho-k lenses overnight to painlessly and temporarily reshape the cornea. This allows for clear vision during the day without needing glasses or contact lenses. This non-surgical process, known as corneal refractive therapy, mainly benefits patients with myopia, slowing down or even halting the progression of this condition.
Ortho-k lenses gently flatten the cornea as you sleep, correcting nearsightedness and, in some cases, astigmatism. When the lenses are removed in the morning, users can enjoy clear vision throughout the day. Researchers have also explored ortho-k as a dual-purpose solution for improving vision and managing eye health over time while slowing myopia progression in children.
Who Can Benefit from Specialty Contact Lenses?
Specialty contact lenses cater to various vision and eye health needs, providing solutions where traditional lenses might fall short. Individuals with irregular corneas, high refractive errors, dry eye syndrome, or those seeking a non-surgical alternative to LASIK may find these lenses to be game-changers in their quest for clear, comfortable vision.
Many specialty options are available to meet the unique needs of individuals with various eye conditions. Whether through the astigmatism-correcting capabilities of toric lenses, the comfort and healing provided by scleral lenses, or the innovative vision reshaping of ortho-k lenses, these specialized options are expanding the horizons of what's possible in vision correction. If you believe you could benefit from specialty contact lenses, book an appointment with us at Madeira Optical to learn more about what these lenses offer you.