How Specialty Contact Lenses Improve Vision for Keratoconus

Keratoconus is a progressive eye condition that affects the shape of the cornea, causing it to thin and bulge outward into a cone-like shape. This irregular corneal surface prevents light from focusing properly on the retina, leading to distorted and blurry vision that often cannot be fully corrected with glasses. Fortunately, specialty contact lenses offer an effective way to improve vision and quality of life for patients living with keratoconus.

Understanding Keratoconus and Its Visual Impact

 

As keratoconus progresses, patients may experience symptoms such as increasing nearsightedness, irregular astigmatism, glare, halos around lights, eye strain, and frequent prescription changes. Standard soft contact lenses and eyeglasses often fall short because they conform to the uneven corneal surface, leaving vision distorted. This is where specialty contact lenses play a critical role.

How Specialty Contact Lenses Work for Keratoconus

 

Specialty contact lenses are designed to create a smooth, regular optical surface over the irregular cornea. Instead of resting directly on the cone-shaped cornea, many of these lenses vault over it or maintain their shape, allowing light to focus more accurately on the retina. This results in clearer, sharper, and more stable vision compared to traditional corrective options.

Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Lenses

 

RGP lenses maintain their firm shape on the eye, helping to mask corneal irregularities. They can significantly improve visual clarity for mild to moderate keratoconus and allow oxygen to reach the eye for healthy wear.

Scleral Contact Lenses

 

Scleral lenses are larger lenses that rest on the white part of the eye (the sclera) and vault completely over the cornea. They are especially beneficial for moderate to advanced keratoconus, offering excellent comfort, stability, and vision. The fluid reservoir beneath the lens can also help relieve dryness and irritation.

Hybrid Contact Lenses

 

Hybrid lenses combine a rigid center for clear vision with a soft outer skirt for improved comfort. This option can be ideal for patients who need the visual clarity of a rigid lens but prefer a more comfortable wearing experience.

Custom Soft Specialty Lenses

 

Designed specifically for keratoconus, these custom soft lenses are thicker and shaped to better accommodate corneal irregularities. They may be suitable for early-stage keratoconus or patients who cannot tolerate rigid lenses.

Benefits of Specialty Contact Lenses

 

Specialty contact lenses can provide:

•           Sharper, clearer vision than glasses

•           Improved visual stability

•           Better comfort with advanced designs

•           Reduced glare and halos

•           Enhanced quality of life and daily functioning

Because keratoconus affects each patient differently, proper lens selection and precise fitting are essential for success.

Personalized Keratoconus Care at Family Vision Care of Richmond

 

At Family Vision Care of Richmond, keratoconus management begins with a comprehensive eye exam and detailed corneal measurements. Our eye doctors take the time to understand your unique visual needs and recommend the most appropriate specialty contact lens option for your condition and lifestyle.

If you have been diagnosed with keratoconus or is struggling with poor vision that glasses cannot correct, Family Vision Care of Richmond is here to help. Schedule a comprehensive eye exam and learn how specialty contact lenses can restore clearer, more comfortable vision. Visit our office in Glen Allen or Ashland, Virginia. Call (804) 217-9883 or (804) 798-3306 to book an appointment today.