Hard Contact Lenses

WHEN DOES IT START?
Keratoconus is generally first diagnosed at puberty and progresses through the mid-30’s before stabilizing. It can only be detected during a routine eye exam. To make a diagnosis, your eye doctor measures the curvature and thickness of the cornea to evaluate for thinning and irregularity in shape. Testing is non-invasive, simple and painless and can allow for earlier intervention and prevention of progression of the condition.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES?
While the causes of keratoconus are not specifically known, a number of factors are known to be associated with it and there is a hereditary component to it.

Keratoconus is associated with:

• Eye allergies (chronic eye inflammation)

• Excessive eye rubbing

• Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Down syndrome, Retinitis Pigmentosa

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
Keratoconus most often affects both eyes but symptoms may differ in each.

• Mild blurry vision

• Distorted vision that worsens with time

• Sensitivity to glare and light

• Frequent changes in eyeglass or contact lens prescriptions that do not fully clear vision

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT PLAN?
When the diagnosis of Keratoconus is made, the first goal is to determine the stability of the condition. For younger patients or those that still show signs that the condition is still progressing, the first objective is stop the thinning and increasing irregularity in the shape of the cornea. Preventing further progression in early keratoconus patients can provide patients with the ability to maintain sufficiently clear vision with eyeglasses or contact lenses throughout the course of their lives, as opposed to being restricted to contact lens wear for acceptable vision. Halting progression also reduces the risk for the complications of scarring and permanently reduced vision that can result from more advanced stages of keratoconus. Once the condition is stable, an optometrist, skilled in specialty contact lenses, can fit the patient with customized lenses that provide sharper, more comfortable vision by compensating for the irregular shape of the cornea.

2. Severe Dry Eye (e.g., Sjögren’s Syndrome)

• What is it?: A condition where the body’s immune system attacks the glands that produce tears, leading to dry, irritated eyes.

• Why scleral lenses?: Since Scleral lenses are filled with a preservative-free saline, they create a consistent reservoir of fluid between the lens and the eye, which helps to keep the eye moist and provides relief from dryness.

3. Irregular Corneas:

• What is it?: Scarring on the cornea caused by injury, infection, or surgery.

• Why scleral lenses?: They can help by providing a smooth surface over the scarred cornea, improving vision and reducing discomfort.

Eyes with uneven or irregular surfaces, which can typically be caused by scarring post infections, abrasions, ulcers, injuries, etc.


4. Post-Corneal Transplant

• What is it?: After a corneal transplant, the eye might have irregularities in shape or vision issues.

• Why scleral lenses?: Like corneal scarring, Scleral lenses help improve visual acuity and comfort by creating a smooth surface over the transplanted cornea, which may be irregular.

5. High Prescription Needs

• What is it?: Some patients with extremely high myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness) may not have good success with regular contact lenses or glasses.

• Why scleral lenses?: The larger, custom-fitted design of scleral lenses can correct extreme prescriptions, often better than regular lenses