When choosing corrective eyewear, many people prefer contact lenses. They are easy to use and look more natural than eyeglasses. Contacts also work well for athletes and active people, since they can’t fall off like glasses. However, not everyone can wear traditional contacts. Those with eye health and vision conditions often need specialty lenses. At EyeWest Vision Clinic & Optical, serving Rogers and St. Michael, MN, our optometrist provides lenses for those who are hard to fit for contacts.
Conditions that Require Hard to Fit Contacts
Many people can wear traditional soft contact lenses. However, there are certain eye conditions that can make wearing soft lenses difficult.
- Dry eye syndrome: This condition is common if your eyes can’t produce enough tears to keep your eyes moist. It can also occur if your eyes produce lower quality tears. Soft lenses absorb the moisture from your eyes, which will exasperate your symptoms.
- Astigmatism: Astigmatism is a common refractive error where your eye's lens is curved differently in one direction than the other. Special lenses are required to correct the curvature so you can see clearly.
- Presbyopia: Presbyopia often occurs after the age of 40. As you age, your eye's lens loses elasticity, making it difficult to focus on close-up objects. If you are nearsighted, you will need a special lens to correct your distance and near vision.
- Keratoconus: This condition occurs when your cornea is too weak to hold its round shape, and it turns into a cone shape. Since soft lenses bend to the shape of your cornea, they won't help if you have keratoconus.
- Giant papillary conjunctivitis: This form of conjunctivitis is chronic, and it causes red bumps under the eyelids. Protein deposits build up on soft contact lenses, which will make this condition worse.
Types of Hard to Fit Contacts
There are several types of hard to fit contacts. Our optometrist will determine which lenses are best for you.
- Gas permeable lenses: These are the most commonly used hard to fit contacts. They are rigid and hold their shape, making them a good option for keratoconus. In addition, these lenses don't absorb moisture from the eyes, making them a good option for dry eye. Finally, because protein deposits don't collect on these lenses the way they do with soft lenses, they are a good option for giant papillary conjunctivitis.
- Hybrid lenses: Hybrid lenses are prescribed for people who cannot get used to gas permeable lenses. There is a soft outer ring, making them more comfortable.
- Toric lenses: Toric lenses are special lenses that correct the lens's abnormal curvature, which occurs with astigmatism.
- Bifocal lenses: Bifocal lenses contain two prescriptions, one for distance and one for close-up. If you are farsighted or nearsighted, and have presbyopia, these lenses will allow you to see clearly at all distances.
- Scleral contacts: Unlike soft lenses that rest on the cornea, these lenses rest on the white of the eye and vault over the cornea. They can treat dry eye and keratoconus.
Schedule an Appointment with Our Optometrist for Hard to Fit Contacts
If you want to wear contact lenses, you will first need a contact lens exam. At EyeWest Vision Clinic & Optical, serving St. Michael and Rogers, MN, our optometrist will determine if you are hard to fit for contacts and need specialty lenses. We want your vision to be at its best. Call us today to schedule an appointment.
