Specialty Contact Lenses
For most vision patients, routine eye exams and treatments suffice. For patients with exceptionally unique vision conditions, however, regular eye exams might not be enough to assist with diagnosis. Using comprehensive eye exams with special equipment, multiple treatment options can be available. One such exam is called corneal map/ topography which helps identify and diagnose distortions in the vision called Corneal Ectasia. Such distortions can typically cause:
- Sensitivity to Light
- Debilitating Glare
- Eye Irritation
- Double Vision
These Symptoms typically cannot be corrected with regular glasses and contacts. To correct these visual distortions, specialty contacts are required. Generally, specialty contacts help with many conditions such as:
1. Keratoconus
Cause:
The exact cause of Keratoconus in the cornea is not well understood, but a combination of genetic and environmental factors are believed to play a role. Some studies suggest that certain genetic factors may make individuals more susceptible to developing keratoconus. Other studies suggest that environmental factors such as eye rubbing, chronic eye irritation, and prolonged exposure to UV light may also contribute to the development of keratoconus. However, in many cases, the cause of keratoconus remains unknown.
Age of Onset:
Keratoconus can affect the cornea in one or both eyes and often develops during the teenage years or in the early 20s.
Treatment:
Keratoconus needs regular/annual management by an optometrist who can map your cornea for progression and make specialty contacts. Your optometrist can also provide guidance and identify therapies needed to stop the progression. Untreated corneas with keratoconus can worsen over time and eventually require a corneal transplant which is highly avoidable if keratoconus is detected early and cared for properly. Treatment options include corneal cross-linking to halt progression, special contact lenses to correct vision,and in some cases, corneal transplant to repair a broken cornea.
For more information visit Keratoconus Foundation at https://nkcf.org/
2. Post-Surgical Ectasia
Cause:
Common corneal distortions typically occur after long-standing vision procedures such as LASIK, PRK, Radial Keratotomy. These procedures produce great results initially, but vision slowly becomes distorted over time.
Age of Onset:
Visual distortions can occur immediately after surgery or years after! It can go undetected for years. Some research suggests that post-refractive ectasias may occur if there were preexisting corneal ectasias. It may also occur due to corneal instability caused by weakening corneal stroma and can be exacerbated by eye rubbing.
Treatment:
Post-surgical ectasia is also treated like keratoconus. Treatment includes regular annual management by an optometrist who can map your cornea for progression and make specialty contacts. Your optometrist can also provide guidance and identify therapies needed to stop the progression. Untreated corneas with keratoconus can worsen over time and eventually require a corneal transplant which is highly avoidable if keratoconus is detected early and cared for properly. Treatment options include corneal cross-linking to halt progression, special contact lenses to correct vision, and in some cases, corneal transplant to repair a broken cornea.
Healthy Eye Care offers support groups for Keratoconus and others suffering from low vision on a regular basis. Please contact our office for more information.
3. Other Corneal Ectasias include:
1. Pellucid Marginal Degeneration
2. Terrien’s marginal degeneration
3. Keratoglobus
