Contact Lenses

For those with dry eyes, severe astigmatism or keratoconus, scleral lenses can be a successful solution. These lenses fit over the cornea and part of the sclera (the white part of the eye), giving clear and stable vision. These contact lenses can provide consistent moisture to the cornea and allow comfortable and crisp vision all the time.

Also known as orthokeratology, these contacts help correct nearsightedness and astigmatism through a process called corneal refractive therapy (CRT) which temporarily shapes the cornea as you sleep. CRT lenses are worn at night, and they correct the curvature of the cornea while you’re sleeping so you can see clearly during the day without glasses or contacts. They are FDA-approved for children and adults and are a great solution for patients who:

• Want a contact lens-free lifestyle during the day
• Find soft contacts too irritating
• Are too young for LASIK or are not a LASIK candidate
• Paragon CRT® has been prescribed to over 1.5 million patients, in over 50 countries worldwide.2 The risk of wearing Paragon CRT® contact lenses is no greater than other contact lenses

They work well for those that play sports, spend time at swimming pools, lakes or the beach. They have also been a great solution for people that are uncomfortable in their contacts due to dry eyes or spend long hours in front of the computer.

Hybrid lenses combine the comfort of soft lenses with the refractive power of rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses and are a good option for those who suffer from keratoconus or irregular corneas. The inner portion is made of RGP material which allows customized, clear vision, while the outer portion is flexible, keeping the lens comfortable.

These lenses are shaped to correct astigmatism, which means there are two prescriptions in one eye – one in one angle, and one in another. If you have a significant amount of astigmatism, your doctor may fit you with toric lenses to ensure you see your best.

Combining the power of the distance and near prescriptions into one lens, multifocal contact lenses correct distance vision while also giving you good up-close vision in patients with presbyopia. For young patients, they can correct blur at far, while reducing strain up close (especially when spending long hours focusing on digital devices).

Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) contacts are made of a firm, durable plastic that transmits oxygen. Because they don’t contain water like soft lenses do, they resist deposits and are less likely than soft contacts to harbor bacteria which lowers risk of infections. GP contact lenses clean and disinfect easily, don’t dehydrate, are easier to handle, and last longer than soft lenses. They do require several days to adapt to the feeling of having them on, similar to feeling a lash in the eye, for the first week. Gas permeable contacts are the best choice for many individuals, including:

• People who are very discerning and are willing to go through a period of adaptation to contact lens wear to achieve the sharpest vision possible.
• Some people with astigmatism for whom soft contacts don’t produce good enough vision.
• People who have a condition called keratoconus, where the cornea is cone-shaped and causes visual distortion.
• People who need contact lenses after refractive surgery.