Unless you have extensive experience wearing contact lenses, you might believe all contacts are identical. After all, they have a similar form and style. In reality, though, there are numerous varieties of contact lenses obtainable, so there is a wide range of options to fit practically every patient. At Alamo Eye Care, Dr. Swati Kumar offers various specialty contact lenses to patients who fail to achieve the vision correction they want in conventional contacts. However, choosing between the different specialty contact lenses San Antonio can be overwhelming for patients. Check out this post for an overview of what lenses might be appropriate for you.
What Exactly Are Specialty Contact Lenses?
Specialty contact lenses are designed for persons with unique eye issues. Persons with keratoconus or corneal transplants find it difficult or difficult to wear traditional contact lenses. Other concerns that might require you to wear specialty contact lenses include:
· Myopia
· Astigmatism
· Dry eyes
· Irregular corneas
Individuals with these concerns did not qualify for contact lenses in the past. Thankfully, breakthroughs in optometry and ophthalmology make contacts now available to more individuals than before.
Unlike conventional lenses, these lenses have distinctively shaped corneas that allow them to rest directly on the eye’s surface. In most instances, these lenses are tailored to the shape of the individual cornea.
What Is Your Best Option?
Specialty contacts depend on the requirements of the wearer. One person could be looking for a lens that will match their cornea, whereas another might require a lens due to dry eyes. Consult your eye specialist to determine the nature of your condition and the optimal treatment.
Here are some examples of specialty contact lenses and the ideal wearers for each:
v Ortho-K Contacts
These lenses are best for persons with concerns like astigmatism, presbyopia, nearsightedness, or farsightedness. Besides correcting eyesight, these lenses reshape the cornea to improve vision.
The patient wears these lenses at night and does not require eyeglasses or contact lenses throughout the day. The perfect candidates are those whose occupations make wearing eyeglasses or contacts hard, for instance, athletes.
v Gas-Permeable Rigid Contacts
Gas-permeable rigid contact lenses are composed of a substance that permits sufficient oxygen to reach the cornea. These lenses assist the eye in retaining sufficient moisture to maintain comfort during the day. Dry eyes are the optimum candidates for these contacts.
v Scleral Contacts
The diameter of scleral lenses is larger than that of ordinary contact lenses. These contacts do not rest immediately on the eye’s surface but instead, arch over it while leaving a space between the lens and cornea.
Scleral contacts alleviate dry eye symptoms since they serve as repositories for the tear film, retaining it on the eye’s surface for longer. Besides, these lenses solve difficulties that make conventional contacts impossible or impractical. Persons with corneal anomalies like keratoconus should wear these lenses; they are pleasant to wear even if the corneal tissue of the wearer gets injured.
Specialty contacts are highly reliant on your unique requirements. Nonetheless, factors such as personal preference, color, and design will also influence the type of specialty lenses you require. Select something that will be both functional and comfortable.
If you have previously been advised you are not eligible for contact lenses, consult your optometrist. A thorough contact lens examination at Alamo Eye Care can identify specialist contact lenses that could improve your eyesight. Schedule a consultation through mobile or book online to learn more.