Hard to Fit Contacts
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See Clearly with Advanced Contact Lens Options
Dr. Paul G. Hayter specializes in fitting contact lenses, but standard contact lenses unfortunately don’t work for everyone. Dr. Hayter also has expertise on fitting those hard to fit lenses such as scleral lenses, hybrid lenses and orthokeratolgy lenses (Ortho-K).
Scleral contact lenses
Scleral contact lenses are a type of hard, gas-permeable contact lens designed to vault over the entire cornea and rest on the sclera, the white part of your eye. They are larger in diameter than traditional soft contact lenses.
Here are some key points about scleral lenses:
Benefits
Improved comfort: Because they don’t touch the cornea, they can be a good option for people with dry eyes or other corneal conditions that make soft lenses uncomfortable.
Sharper vision: Sclerals can provide better vision correction for people with irregular corneas.
Larger size allows for a reservoir of fluid: This fluid helps keep the eye hydrated and can improve comfort for people with dry eyes.
Uses
Irregular corneas: Conditions like keratoconus, which thins and steepens the cornea, can be addressed with scleral lenses.
Post-surgical complications: Post Radial keratotomy or LASIK surgery can sometimes leave the cornea irregular, and scleral lenses can help correct vision in these cases. Also the irrgularity left behind after a corneal transplant.
Severe dry eye: The reservoir of fluid between the lens and the cornea can provide much-needed moisture for people with severe dry eyes.
Dr. Hayter uses sMap3D technology to design scleral lenses to get a better customized fit for patients.
Hybrid contact lenses
Hybrid contact lenses are a specialized type of contact lens that combines features of both rigid gas-permeable (RGP) lenses and soft contact lenses. Hybrid lenses consist of a rigid central zone (similar to an RGP lens) and a soft peripheral skirt (made of soft contact lens material). The rigid center provides clear vision, while the soft skirt enhances comfort.
The Uses of the lens is similar to the use of the scleral contact lens described above.
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K):
Ortho-k lenses are a unique type of rigid gas permeable contact lens designed to temporarily reshape the cornea, correcting your vision without the need for glasses or daytime contact lenses.
Unlike traditional lenses that correct vision by focusing light on the retina upon insertion, ortho-k lenses gently reshape the cornea overnight. Worn while you sleep, the lenses exert a slight pressure that flattens the central cornea, correcting refractive errors like nearsightedness (myopia).
Benefits
Clear vision without daytime lenses: Upon waking and removing the lenses, your cornea retains its reshaped form for most of the day, providing clear vision without needing glasses or daytime contact lenses.
May slow myopia progression: Studies suggest ortho-k may help slow down the progression of nearsightedness, particularly beneficial for children whose vision is still changing.
Who is a good candidate?
Individuals with mild to moderate nearsightedness are typically good candidates for ortho-k.
Patient’s who have dry eye may benefit from this lens also.
However, it’s not suitable for everyone, and a consultation Drs. Hayter or McLean is necessary to determine if your eyes are healthy and suitable for this approach.
Fitting process
Ortho-k fitting involves a series of examinations to assess your corneal shape, tear production, and overall eye health. A series of custom-designed lenses may be used to achieve the optimal corneal reshaping for your specific needs.
Important Considerations
Ortho-k lenses require a high level of hygiene and care, similar to other contact lenses.
Regular follow-up appointments are crucial to monitor the fit and ensure the lenses continue to function effectively.
The reshaping effect of ortho-k lenses is temporary. Consistent nightly wear is necessary to maintain clear vision throughout the day.
Dr. Hayter has many years of experience in fitting the contact lenses described above.
If interested in any of these contacts give us a call to set up an appointment. 972-910-8829.