Contact Lenses to Treat Keratoconus

Most people may not know about keratoconus. It is an advanced disease of the eyes that usually affects the cornea, which becomes thin and then starts to inflame into a shape that resembles a cone. The unique shape disperses the light as it enters the eyes toward the retina, resulting in anamorphic vision. This condition affects one or even both eyes. If you have been recently diagnosed with this eye disease, we’re here to inform you about your lens options in managing this progressive disease.

 

Custom Soft

These contact lenses are designed specially to amend mild to moderate keratoconus. Customized and made-to-order, soft contact lenses are made to fit your measurements. They are easier to wear than hybrid contact lenses or GPs (gas permeable lenses).

 

Gas Permeable

When visual acuity cannot be provided by soft contact lenses and eyeglasses in your keratoconus anymore, these gas permeable contact lenses are necessary. These lenses bounce over your cornea and replace the irregular shape with uniform, smooth bending surface to enhance your vision.

 

Hybrid

A combination of a soft peripheral flap and a center that is highly permeable to oxygen, these contact lenses were designed to provide clear vision and comfort close to what soft contact lenses can give. These lenses come in various sizes to make sure you get the right fit for your keratoconic eye.

 

Rigid Gas Permeable

Known to be the most common type of contact lens to rectify keratoconus, this lens type allows the cornea to become oxygenated. These can also be designed to conform with the shape of your affected cornea. Rigid gas permeable lenses are easy to maintain, put on, and remove. They provide you with good eyesight as well.

 

Piggybacking

This involves using two contact lenses on your affected eye because wearing a gas permeable lens on top of a cone-shaped cornea can be extremely comfortable. Usually, a soft lens is placed on the cornea first, then a gas permeable lens is placed on top of it. Doing this provides you with more comfort because the soft lens serves as the cushion under the stiff gas permeable contact lens.

 

Prosthetic

If you have advanced stage keratoconus, you may need a prosthetic scleral lens. This involves using a special lens that matches the irregular shapes of the affected eye. The affected eye is scanned to capture the different dimensions of the entire affected eye. Then, the results are sent to a lab for 3-D printing.

 

Semi-scleral and scleral

Scleral lenses cover a larger area of your sclera. Semi-scleral lenses wrap a smaller part. These two lenses don’t put any pressure on your affected cornea, making them very comfortable to wear.

 

Having keratoconus is a challenge. Anyone with this condition should receive optimal eye care. We, at Miller Vision Center, are prepared to lead you by the hand in managing your keratoconic eye. Feel free to call us at (405) 389-4200 to set your first appointment. You can also drop by our office at Norman, Oklahoma, for a one-on-one consultation.