Custom Contact Lenses for Varying Lifestyles
The evolution of contact lenses has been around for at least 100 year. However, it’s only within the last few decades that contact lenses have achieved reasonable clinical success. The technological improvements in both the materials of the contact lenses, as well as the specific designs and curvatures of the contact lenses have resulted in lenses that are much better suited for today’s high performance needs. Despite these technological advancements, complications may still rise with daily contact lens wear. These complications are usually manageable by either cessation of contact lens wear (due to vision-threatening infections) or by changing the lens itself (due to minor allergic reactions). History does show, however, that sleeping with contact lens through one or more night does increase the incidence, prevalence, and severity of all complications/infections. Because of these risk factors, it is imperative that the initial procedures for determining a healthy contact lens prescription begins with a comprehensive eye examination. This examination includes, but not limited to:
- The determination of an optimum refractive correction.
- Rule out any concerns for ocular and systemic disease .
- Determine the corneal curvature.
- The evaluation of the anterior segment and tear layers.
- The treatment, when indicated, for abnormalities of the ocular and lid surfaces (e.g., corneal scars, blepharitis or meibomian gland dysfunction, and palpebral conjunctival follicles or papillae).
Below are different types of contact lens modalities, and Dr. Q would love the opportunity to discuss what would work best for your lifestyle and needs.
Overnight Orthokeratology
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K or CRT) is a sophisticated NON – surgical procedure that utilizes specially designed contact lenses, to gently reshape the curvature of the eye (the front layer of the eye) to improve vision. This is a revolutionary NON – surgical procedure that can eliminate dependencies on glasses and/or daytime contact lens wear. This particular type of contact lens improves vision by gently reshaping the eye while asleep, and during waking hours, will enable clear, sharp, and natural vision without any glasses and/or contact lens aids.
Scleral Contact Lens
Scleral contacts lenses are larger than the traditional/standard gas permeable contact lenses. These large diameter lenses range from about 14.5 mm to 24 mm in size. Scleral lenses are specially designed to “vault” over the whole corneal surface and to rest on white part of the eye (the sclera). By doing this, the scleral lens act as a new refractive surface, to mitigate the irregular cornea to correct vision problems caused corneal irregularities.
Gas Permeable Lens
“Rigid” Gas Permeable contact lenses are made of a hard and durable plastic that has excellent oxygen permeability. Furthermore, GP contact lenses are custom made for each individual, based on the exact shape/curvature of the eye, the size of the eye, and finally, the correct prescription of the eye. With advances in manufacturing techniques, newer version of GP lenses are thinner, larger diameter, and with much finer smooth edges than before…all contributed to a much crisper vision and comfort throughout the day.
Soft Contact Lens
Hydrogel soft contact lenses are made of gel like water containing plastics, that are thin, pliable, and drapes the surface of the cornea (front of the eye). Advances in technologies led to the creation of silicone hydrogel soft contact lenses, which are much more oxygen permeable than traditional/old hydrogel lenses, thus, becoming a much more healthy choice for soft contact lens wearers.
Hybrid Contact Lens
Hybrid contact lenses have a rigid gas permeable for the central zone, and is surrounded by a silicon hydrogel “skirt.” This design provides the comfort of a true soft contact lenses, while at the same time, provide the benefit of crisp and clear vision of the GP lenses.
Health and Hygienic Care of Contact Lenses
Contact lenses, soft contact lens solution, and gas permeable contact lens solutions are medical devices, and are thus regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Abuse of any of these medical devices may cause damages to your eyes and may cause long lasting side effects. Thus, careful and safe handling of your contact lenses and solutions are one of the most important protocol that you need to maintain in order to protect your eyes and sight.