Specialty Lenses
Specialized Contact Lenses
Depending on your vision needs, your eye doctor at Davis EyeCare Associates in Oak Lawn may recommend specialized contact lenses, which include:
Hybrid contact lenses. Hybrid contact lenses feature a hard (gas permeable) center bordered by a soft outer ring. Hybrid contact lenses may be an option if you have an uneven corneal curve (keratoconus, high astigmatism, post-surgery) or you have difficulty using traditional hard lenses. These lenses typically give you the crisp vision of a gas permeable lens, with the comfort of a soft lens.
Bifocal or multifocal contact lenses. These lenses, which are available in both soft and hard types, can correct nearsightedness , farsightedness and also astigmatism in combination with age-related loss of close-up vision (presbyopia).
Color Tinted contact lenses. Some contact lenses are tinted, either for cosmetic, theatric or remedial goals– to boost color perception or help compensate for color blindness, for example. Stay clear of costume or cosmetic contact lenses which can easily be purchased from dubious sources. These lenses can ruin your eyes and create potentially significant eye infections.
Contact Lenses for the “Hard-to-Fit” Patient
It is not uncommon for patients to have difficulty wearing contact lenses for a number of reasons. Due to the individual eye shape, certain conditions or impairments or the aftermath of surgery, some patients are considered to be “hard to fit” as contact lens wearers.
For hard to fit patients that prefer to wear contact lenses however, there are options available that can provide comfortable and effective contact lens wear. This will require a specialized fitting with an eye doctor that is an expert that knows your condition and the various products available to find the right match for your specific condition. You may be considered a hard to fit contact lens candidate if you have one of the following conditions:
Dry Eyes
Astigmatism
Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis (GPC)
Keratoconus
Pellucid Marginal Degeneration
Post-LASIK or other refractive surgery
Presbyopia (reduced near vision common in individuals aged 40 and over).
Corneal Scarring
Keratoconus and Contact Lenses
Those with keratoconus suffer from decreased vision which cannot be corrected with spectacles or conventional contact lenses. However, most keratoconic patients can achieve functional vision with specially designed therapeutic contact lenses.
Toric Contact Lenses for Astigmatism
Toric contact lenses are designed to correct astigmatism and custom made to fit the eye of the patient. Rather than having a perfectly spherical surface like standard contact lenses, toric lenses have a more oblong shape made to accommodate the shape of the astigmatic eye.
Bifocal and Multifocal Contact Lenses
Individuals with presbyopia are often familiar with the need to hold reading materials such as newspapers an arm’s length away from their eyes in order to see clearly. Bifocal or multifocal lenses can help.
Gas Permeable (GP) Contact Lenses
Benefits of GP or RGP Contact Lenses: Because of the strong material and the ability to diffuse oxygen, GP lenses offer a number of advantages over soft contact lenses.