Contact Lenses for Keratoconus

For most people with Keratoconus, specially designed contact lenses are the primary method of correcting vision. Unlike glasses or soft lenses, which conform to the irregular shape of the cornea, these lenses create a new, smooth refractive surface, allowing light to focus correctly on the retina.

Types of Specialty Lenses

Finding the right lens is a process that requires a skilled fitter with experience in Keratoconus. The main options include:

• Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Lenses: The most common choice. These hard lenses hold their shape, effectively creating a new corneal surface.
• Scleral Lenses: These large lenses rest on the white part of the eye (sclera), vaulting over the entire cornea. They are often more comfortable than RGPs and provide excellent vision, especially in advanced cases.
• Hybrid Lenses: These lenses have a rigid gas permeable center surrounded by a soft "skirt," aiming to provide the clarity of an RGP lens with the comfort of a soft lens.
• Piggybacking: This involves wearing a soft contact lens with an RGP lens placed on top of it for added comfort.

A proper fit is crucial not only for vision but also for the health of the eye. Regular follow-up appointments are necessary to ensure the lenses continue to fit well as the condition evolves.