Contact Lenses for Keratoconus

Keratoconus is an eye disease that results from an irregular cornea. The degenerative disease causes the cornea to thin and bulge, affecting the patient’s vision. People who have keratoconus cannot wear regular contact lenses comfortably. 

The corneas protrude in a cone shape and affect the refraction of light. Regular contacts sit directly on the cornea surface, making their use almost impossible for people with corneal irregularities. Fortunately, there are contact lenses for keratoconus.  

Custom Soft Contact Lenses

Soft contact lenses may not be the obvious choice for patients with keratoconus, but some find them wearable. People who find gas-permeable lenses too hard can opt for soft lenses. 

In the last few years, contact companies have designed soft contact lenses that help correct mild to moderate keratoconus. However, custom soft lenses do not always provide ideal visual clarity. 

Rigid Gas Permeable Lenses

Gas permeable contacts are hard lenses that treat keratoconus. Unlike soft lenses, RGPs do not mold themselves over the shape of the eye. The rigid material forces the eye into the desired lens shape. 

The breathable material allows oxygen to flow to the eyes, protecting the health of the eyes. RGP lenses provide vision correction, but some patients consider them too hard and inconvenient to wear for long periods. 

Scleral Contact Lenses

Scleral lenses are the best option in treating keratoconus. The lenses provide clear vision, as well as superior comfort. They are somewhat like gas permeable lenses, but they cover a larger surface on the eye. 

This means that the lenses do not apply pressure on the cornea, resulting in a more comfortable fit. The lenses have a dome above the surface of the eye. It helps correct the shape of the cornea while also keeping the eyes lubricated. 

Hybrid Contact Lenses

Hybrid lenses are ideal for people with keratoconus because they have a rigid lens center and a soft lens edge. The patient gets the best of the two options. A rigid lens helps keep the shape better, and a soft edge allows for comfort and easy wear. 

Like RGPs, hybrid lenses provide clear vision and allow oxygen to get to the eye. They promote improved tear exchange for comfort and effectiveness.

Piggyback Contact Lenses

Piggyback contact lenses are ideal for patients who require gas-permeable lenses but cannot wear rigid lenses. Piggybacking involves using a soft lens applied on the eye with a gas permeable lens on top of it. 

This combination system ensures the comfort of soft lenses, rigidity, and clarity of RGP lenses. The soft lens helps cushion the eye, shielding the sensitive surface. Hybrid lenses may take some time to get used to, but they work well for many patients. 

For patients who have advanced keratoconus, prosthetic lenses could be ideal. The best contact lens for each patient is the one that works best for them. Your eye doctor will be able to recommend the best option for you. 

For more on contact lenses for keratoconus, visit Blue Hills Eye Associates at our office in Braintree, Massachusetts. You can call (781) 794-2200 today to schedule an appointment.