People with eye conditions like keratoconus often struggle with regular soft contact lenses, experiencing issues such as contacts falling out, discomfort, and poor vision quality. Fortunately, there are specialty contact lenses available that allow you to wear contact lenses, even with complex eye conditions such as keratoconus.
In this blog, we discuss what keratoconus is, how it affects your vision, and how you can improve your vision and comfort with the right contact lenses in Littleton.
What is keratoconus, and how does it affect your vision?
Keratoconus is a progressive eye condition where your cornea gradually thins and bulges into a cone-like shape. This irregular shape prevents light from focusing properly on your retina, causing blurred and distorted vision that standard eyeglasses or soft contact lenses can’t adequately correct.
You might notice symptoms like:
- Frequent prescription changes
- Increased sensitivity to light and glare
- Difficulty seeing at night
- Eye strain and headaches
- Halos around lights
The condition typically develops during the teenage years or twenties and can affect one or both eyes. While it may sound concerning, the right specialty contact lenses can dramatically improve your vision and quality of life.
Why you need specialty contact lenses for keratoconus
Unlike regular contact lenses that sit on the surface of your eyes, specialty contact lenses for keratoconus create a smooth, regular surface that compensates for your cornea’s irregular shape. These contacts allow light to focus properly, providing you with clear vision that cannot be obtained with glasses alone.
Our eye doctors in Littleton have helped countless patients transition from struggling with poor vision to enjoying activities they thought they’d lost forever. We offer the following contact lenses for keratoconus:
Rigid gas permeable lenses for keratoconus
Rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses offer a better alternative for keratoconus patients who struggle with standard soft contacts. They are made of hard plastic, so they maintain their shape despite irregular corneas and provide significantly sharper vision compared to soft lenses.
It’s important to note that RGP lenses may be less comfortable than scleral lenses because they can shift position (causing fluctuating vision). However, they can offer significantly better vision than traditional soft contact lenses for patients with keratoconus.
Scleral lenses for keratoconus
For patients who need an even more comfortable option or have more advanced keratoconus, scleral lenses offer an excellent solution. Unlike regular contact lenses that can’t conform to the irregular corneal shape caused by keratoconus, scleral lenses rest on the white part of the eye (the sclera) and vault over the cornea. This design creates a fluid-filled chamber that compensates for the corneal irregularity, providing both comfort as well as better vision correction than standard contacts.
Scleral lenses offer the following benefits:
- Provide all-day comfort for most wearers
- Offer stable vision throughout the day
- Protect your cornea from environmental irritants
- Works well for patients with dry eye syndrome
Many of our Littleton patients who struggled with smaller RGP lenses find scleral lenses to be life-changing, allowing them to wear their contacts comfortably from morning until night.
See clearly with keratoconus
Living with keratoconus doesn’t mean accepting poor vision. With the right keratoconus contact lenses and expert care, you can finally see clearly and comfortably again. At the Eyecare Center of Ken Caryl, our experienced team has extensive experience fitting specialty contact lenses in Littleton for challenging eye conditions like keratoconus. Contact us today for more information or schedule your appointment online.