Houston Specialty Lens Fittings: Benefits & Types

Nov 21, 2023

Specialty Lens Fitting Houston, TX

Every individual is unique, and the shape of the cornea in every individual is different. Every individual’s eye has a slightly different shape. Contact lenses need to be fitted to suit the shape of an individual’s eye. Specialty contact lenses are particularly fitted to suit the eye and needs of an individual.

If you have certain form of corneal abnormality or eye condition, standard glasses may not work effectively or fit perfectly. Specialty contact lenses work effectively for corneal abnormalities and various types of eye conditions. Specialty contact lenses are also designed to fit perfectly.

Continue reading to learn more about specialty contact lenses.

The Importance of Specialty Lens Fitting

Individuals with different eye shapes and conditions need specialty lenses as standard lenses may not work effectively for everyone. For example, patients with high myopia tend to have steeper corneas, while patients with high hyperopia tend to have flatter corneas. Standard lenses will not work for either of these patients. Specialty lenses that are custom-fitted are recommended for patients with these eye conditions.

Patients who have previously had complicated surgeries or trauma sometimes have pupillary abnormalities, and even the smallest pupillary change can cause life-altering light sensitivity. Using standard lenses will not provide significant improvements. Instead, specialty contact lenses are crafted to help reduce light sensitivity in patients with previous complicated surgeries or trauma.

Why do you need a specialty contact lens fitting?

Standard contact lenses may not work effectively or fit properly if you have any corneal abnormality or certain eye conditions. In such situations, you will need specialty contact lenses fitted for you to fit perfectly and work effectively. Your eye doctor will assess the state of your eyes and conduct a comprehensive eye exam to determine the best specialty contact lenses that suit your needs.

Why Specialty Lenses are Different

Specialty contact lenses work best than standard lenses. Every individual is unique, and the shape of the cornea in every individual is also different. Standard contact lenses will not fit properly on the cornea of every individual. Contact lenses need to be fitted to suit the shape of an individual’s eye. Specialty contact lenses are particularly fitted to suit the shape of every individual’s cornea.

Also, standard lenses can’t help with every problem with the eyes or cornea abnormality. Specialty contact lenses are specially designed to help with problems of the cornea and eyes, including dry eye syndrome, and to provide clear vision to people with a higher degree of astigmatism. Specialty contact lenses are designed for patients with corneal abnormalities or some other eye issues that standard contact lenses can't resolve.

Conditions That Require Specialty Lenses

Conditions that require specialty lenses include:

Corneal scarring
Corneal transplants
Keratoconus
Radial keratotomy
Dry eye syndrome
Myopia
Hyperopia
Astigmatism
Light sensitivity
Irregular pupils
Poor contrast sensitivity
Poor vision
Corneal opacification
Post-LASIK irregular astigmatism
Irregular astigmatism from dryness
Epithelial basement membrane dystrophy

Types of Specialty Lenses

There are different types of specialty lenses. These include:

1. Scleral Lenses

Scleral contact lenses are specialty contact lenses specifically designed to overcome corneal abnormalities. Scleral contact lenses are much larger in diameter than standard contact lenses. These lenses vault over the surface of the cornea and leave a gap between the back of the lens and the front of the cornea. This gap enables fluid to be trapped on the surface of the eye and also provides enough space for any physical corneal issues.

Scleral contact lenses are placed on the sclera and tend to vault over the cornea, leaving a space between the lens and the cornea for tears.

To avoid any bubbles forming in the bowl of the lens, scleral lenses should be filled with a non-preserved saline solution before they’re inserted onto the front surface of the eye. The saline solution acts as a reservoir for tear film, which helps to keep the front surface of the eyes hydrated and nourished, thereby improving symptoms of dry eye. Scleral contact lenses replace the irregular cornea with a smooth surface, which corrects visual problems caused by corneal irregularities.

2. Hybrid Lenses

Hybrid contact lenses are specialty contact lenses designed for patients who require specialty contact lenses for various eye problems. Hybrid lenses combine the best features of both soft and gas-permeable lenses. Hybrid lenses have the main body of a rigid gas-permeable contact lens, while the edges or skirts of the lens are the same as that of a soft lens.

The soft part of the lens keeps the debris out and the lens firmly in place on your eye, while the rigid center provides clear, crisp vision. Hybrid lenses provide the crisp sharpness and clarity of a rigid gas-permeable lens and the comfort of a soft lens.

3. Rigid Gas Permeable Lenses

Rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses are specialty contact lenses for patients who have corneal abnormalities and can’t wear standard contact lenses. They permit the entrance of oxygen into the cornea. They prevent the accumulation of proteins in the eyes, thereby reducing the risk of developing eye infections.

RGP lenses are more rigid than standard soft lenses, which enables them to hold their shape better. However, they can be uncomfortable to wear for prolonged periods of time for some patients. RGP are gas permeable.

The materials used in making them allow oxygen to flow through the lenses to the surface of the eyes. This helps to keep them comfortable and adequately lubricated. RGP lenses are recommended for patients who need multifocal and patients who have high eyesight needs or astigmatism.

4. Piggyback Lenses

The Piggyback specialty contact lenses combine two lenses. These two lenses are a rigid gas-permeable contact lens and a soft contact lens. The rigid gas-permeable contact lenses sit on top of the soft contact lens. Piggyback lenses provide patients with the benefit of the clear vision provided by an RGP lens without discomfort. This is because the soft contact lens acts as a cushion to provide patients with comfort.

5. Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) Lenses

Ortho-K lenses are specialty contact lenses used to correct myopia and other refractive errors. Ortho-k lenses are worn for at least eight hours each night to correct your vision by reshaping your cornea temporarily as you sleep. Ortho-k lenses are worn only at night and removed during the day. They help to provide clear vision during the day without needing to wear corrective lenses or glasses.

Who May Benefit From Specialty Contact Lenses

Anyone with an eye problem, poor vision, corneal abnormality, or who has previously had a corneal transplant can benefit from specialty contact lenses. Specialty contact lenses can help improve eyesight and provide clear vision in people with various types of eye problems.

What To Expect From A Specialty Lens Fitting?

During a specialty contact lens fitting, the eye doctor will determine the right contact lens prescription for you. To determine the right contact lens for you, there are certain things that need to be done.

1. Conduct a Comprehensive Eye Exam

Your eye doctor will first conduct a comprehensive eye exam to assess the state of your eyes and to ensure that your eyes are healthy enough to wear contact lenses. Your doctor will gather all the necessary information needed to prescribe the right contact lenses for you. From the information gathered from your eye exam, your doctor will discuss the best specialty contact lenses for you.

2. Taking Measurements

To design specialty contact lenses for you, your eye doctor will take measurements of your eyes and cornea.

Specialty contact lenses are placed directly on the cornea. Accurate measurements of your eyes and cornea are taken to ensure that the contact lenses fit accurately and comfortably.

Your doctor will take measurements to check the curve and diameter of your eyes and cornea. Your doctor will also take measurements of your pupil and iris.

Your doctor will evaluate your tear film to ensure your eyes make enough tears to keep your contacts moist.

3. Contact Lens Instruction

After the specialty contact lenses are designed, your eye doctor will then show you how to place them on your cornea and take them out safely.

Placing contact lenses properly is very important as it helps to prevent discomfort, eye redness, and irritation. Placing contact lenses properly also makes your vision clear.

You will also be taught how to care for your contact lenses to reduce your risk of infection and to ensure the optimal health of your eyes.

How do opticians fit specialty lenses?

The shape and size of the eyes are unique to each individual. Hence, accurate measurements of the eyes should be taken to ensure that specialty contact lenses fit perfectly on the cornea.

Opticians fit specialty lenses by taking accurate measurements of the curve and diameter of the eyes and cornea. They also take measurements of the pupil and iris. They also check for other factors that will affect how well the specialty contact lenses fit on patients.

Specialty Contact Lenses For Keratoconus

Keratoconus is a condition whereby the cornea thins and bulges outward into a cone shape, thereby causing blurred vision and sensitivity to light.

Keratoconus is a progressive eye condition that gets worse over time. Early stages of keratoconus can be corrected with glasses or soft contact lenses. Later stages can be corrected with hard contact lenses, piggyback lenses, hybrid lenses, rigid gas permeable lenses, or scleral lenses.

Is Toric a specialty lens?

Toric lenses are considered specialty contact lenses. They are available as both soft and rigid gas-permeable (RGP) lenses. The shape of toric lenses formed to the exact curvature of the lens of your eye. Toric lenses are prescribed the same way as regular contact lenses, but they have a different optical power.

Toric lenses can be fitted for people with various eye conditions such as astigmatisms, presbyopia, dry eye syndrome, corneal scarring, giant papillary conjunctivitis, and keratoconus.

How much are specialty contact lenses?

The cost of specialty contact lenses varies largely depending on various factors. The cost can range from $150 to $700 for a pair, which can be used for up to a year.

Can anyone wear specialty contact lenses instead of glasses?

Specialty contact lenses are worn by patients with eye problems and corneal abnormalities. They are used to correct specific eye problems that standard glasses can’t correct in order to improve vision and eye health.

Anyone can’t just wear specialty contact lenses. They are prescribed and fitted by eye doctors. You must visit an eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam to know if you can wear specialty contact lenses.

Pupila Family Eye & Ear Care: Best Clinic to get Specialty Contact Lenses in Houston, TX

Best Clinic to get Specialty Contact Lenses in Houston, TX

If you have an eye problem, we encourage you to get a comprehensive eye exam from a reputable eye clinic like Pupila Family Eye & Ear Care.

Pupila Family Eye & Ear Care is a renowned eye clinic in Houston that offers a variety of eye tests and treatments. We conduct comprehensive eye exams for patients with eye problems to know the state of their eyes and how we can help improve their vision.

We provide various eye treatments and remedies, including specialty contact lenses. We have eye specialists with many years of experience who can help improve your vision using various innovative techniques.

At Pupila Family Eye & Ear Care, we prescribe and fit specialty contact lenses for people with various eye problems such as myopia, hyperopia, dry eye syndrome, corneal scarring, keratoconus, radial keratotomy, astigmatism, light sensitivity, poor contrast sensitivity, and poor vision. Whatever your eye condition may be, we will first conduct a comprehensive eye exam to assess the state of your eyes and then suggest the best specialty contact lenses for your eyes.

Contact us today or Book an Appointment to get started so that you can quickly get specialty contact lenses to improve your vision.