Keratoconus is a progressive eye condition that causes the cornea to thin and bulge out like a cone. The cornea is the front surface of the eye and serves as a clear window that focuses light onto the back of the eye allowing us to see clearly. As keratoconus progresses and the cornea changes shape, light rays are no longer in focus causing symptoms of blurry vision, glare, and distortion. Keratoconus usually affects both eyes and generally begins to fist affect vision around ages 10 to 25.
Patients with severe cornea scar or degenerative cornea disease may need a surgical procedure to replace the cornea, keratoplasty. Even with a successful transplant sometimes clear vision is not achieved . During surgery stitches are used on the cornea, if left too long it can permanently change the shape of the cornea causing irregularity. The result is blurry vision that sometimes cannot be corrected with glasses. We have many lens options available such as custom soft lenses, hybrid lenses, gas permeable lenses, or scleral lenses can significantly improve vision. We work closely with our patients customize the lens that meets our patient's needs and lifestyle. We are the leading clinic in the valley to use specialty contact lens fitting for patients with corneal transplant patients. Our goal is to help our post surgical patients achieve the best vision possible with customized lenses.
Patients who have undergone refractive surgery such as Radial Keratotomy (RK), LASIK, PRK and other forms of vision correction can also be good candidates for specialty contact lenses. Often times, these procedures can develop into different forms of irregular astigmatism. If you have had refractive surgery and suffer from blurred vision with traditional glasses, fluctuating vision throughout the day, double vision, or overall distorted vision, you may be a great candidate for specialty contact lenses. Our equipment will evaluate your specific ocular shape, and recommendations will be tailored to your exact condition.
Scars on the cornea can be due to a variety of conditions. Corneal ulcers, ocular trauma, herpes, and other issues can cause permanent scar tissue to develop on the front surface of the eye. Depending on the depth, size, and location of the scar, it can cause significant visual debilitation. If a scar causes irregularity on the corneal surface, the vision may not be acceptable with traditional glasses or soft contact lenses.
Trauma to the eye can occur at any time in your life. Whether from an explosive event, such as a firecracker to the eye, or problems during routine eye surgery, the damaging effects can be similar. Ocular trauma can affect multiple parts of the eye including the cornea, conjunctiva, iris, lens, and retina. if the trauma to your eye has left scar tissue on the front surface of the cornea or resulted in an irregular shape, specialty contact
Scleral and rigid gas permeable lenses provide a new smooth surface that allows for the patient to have improved visual acuity, quality of vision, and in some instances can help treat ocular surface disease. Scleral lenses have the added benefit of providing a fluid reservoir which helps supports the ocular surface
Lenses are available in high oxygen materials to ensure that the cornea stays healthy
Gas permeable contact lenses are rigid lenses that are more stable in fit therefore providing sharper vision than soft lenses. Modern rigid gas permeable contacts lens design allow more oxygen to reach the cornea than most soft contact lenses in the market. GP lenses they retain their shape when you blink, which tends to provide sharper vision than pliable soft lenses. This is an important factor when fitting patient with astigmatism or keratoconus. Since GP lenses are harder they do require an adaptation period before they are as comfortable as soft contacts.
“Piggybacking” is a two step fitting process. First you are fitted with a soft contact lens that acts as a cushion. Then you place a gas permeable lens over the soft lens. The goal of this fitting is to increase comfort and stability for the lens .
Hybrid contact lenses delivers the clear vision of a gas permeable lens with the all-day comfort of a soft lens. The gas-permeable center creates a smooth uniform surface over the cornea allowing light to focus properly. This lens is also comfortable to wear all day since the outside of the lens is merge with a soft lens design. Hybrid lenses can be fitted for patients with astigmatism, keratoconus, irregular corneas, as well as presbyopia.
LENS DESIGNS
There are five lens categories our doctors use to treat patients with keratoconus, anisometropia, chronic dry eyes, corneal transplant, complications from LASIK, refractive surgery, Pellucid Marginal Degeneration (PMD) and Sjogren’s Syndrome:
Office Hours
Mon-Wednesday : 9:00 am - 5:45 pm
Thursday: 8:45 am-4:45 pm
Friday: 8:45 am- 4:45 pm
Closed : Saturday, Sunday
