Advanced lenses can provide clearer, more comfortable vision when standard contacts no longer work. If you have struggled with blurry vision or contact lens discomfort, a specialty lens evaluation may offer the clarity you have been missing.
Specialty Contact Lenses in Chesapeake, VA
What Are Specialty Contact Lenses
Specialty contact lenses are custom-designed for eyes that do not see well or feel comfortable in standard soft lenses. They are often used when the eye surface is irregular, when prescriptions are high or complex, or when previous contact lens wear has led to irritation or unstable vision.
Rather than placing every patient into a few standard lens designs, specialty fitting focuses on the exact contours of your cornea, your tear film, and how your eyes behave throughout the day. This approach allows many patients to achieve stable vision even when glasses and regular contacts have not worked well.
Conditions That May Benefit from Specialty Lenses
You may be a candidate for specialty contact lenses if you have:
- Keratoconus, pellucid marginal degeneration, or other irregular corneas
- Post-surgical corneal changes
- High astigmatism
- A history of contact lens intolerance
- Significant dry eye that limits standard lens wear
- Uneven or fluctuating vision with glasses or regular contacts
If you recognize yourself in one or more of these situations, a specialty contact lens evaluation can provide clearer answers and more tailored options.
Scleral Lenses for Keratoconus & Irregular Corneas
These larger diameter lenses vault over the cornea and rest on the white part of the eye, creating a smooth, fluid-filled optical surface. For many patients with keratoconus or irregular corneas, this design provides clarity and comfort that neither glasses nor standard contacts can match.
During a scleral lens evaluation, Dr. Keaton performs detailed corneal topography and imaging to understand the exact pattern of your cornea. She then selects or designs trial lenses that approximate your shape, evaluates their alignment in the eye, and refines the fit through follow-up visits.
Patients often report that scleral lenses provide:
- Sharper, more stable vision throughout the day
- Reduced ghosting, shadowing, or double images
- Improved comfort, even after years of contact lens frustration
Many patients are referred specifically to our Chesapeake office for scleral lens care when they have been told that they have limited options elsewhere.
Other Specialty Lens Options
Although scleral lenses are often the best option for keratoconus and many irregular corneas, they are not the only specialty design available. Depending on your needs, Dr. Keaton may also consider:
- Rigid gas-permeable lenses for certain irregular optics or high astigmatism
- Hybrid lenses that combine a rigid center with a soft skirt
- Custom soft lenses for high prescriptions or unusually shaped corneas
The purpose of your evaluation is to determine which design offers the best balance of clarity, comfort, and long-term eye health for your specific situation.
What to Expect at a Specialty Contact Lens Evaluation
A specialty lens fitting is more detailed than a standard contact lens visit, and it is structured to give you a clear understanding of both the process and the expected outcomes. Your visit typically includes:
- A thorough review of your visual history, previous lens experience, and current concerns.
- Advanced imaging of the cornea to capture its unique shape and any areas of thinning or steepening.
- Selection and application of trial lenses based on those measurements.
- Evaluation of lens comfort, position, and vision at the slit lamp microscope.
- Discussion of realistic expectations, including adaptation time, care requirements, and costs.
Because these lenses are custom, you should expect at least one follow-up visit to fine-tune the fit after you have worn the lenses in your normal daily environment.
Comfort, Safety, & Daily Life with Specialty Lenses
A common concern for patients who are new to specialty lenses is whether the lenses will feel bulky or difficult to manage. Although scleral and other specialty lenses are larger or firmer than standard soft lenses, many patients adapt quickly and find day-to-day comfort significantly better than before.
During your training, our team will show you how to:
- Insert and remove the lenses safely
- Use the correct solutions and filling fluids
- Clean and store the lenses to protect both the lens surface and your eye health
You will have an opportunity to practice these steps in the office so that you feel confident handling the lenses at home.
Schedule a Specialty Contact Lens Evaluation in Chesapeake
Contact Dominion Eye Care Chesapeake to arrange a specialty contact lens evaluation with Dr. Brook Keaton or to speak with a member of our team about whether scleral lenses or other advanced designs may be appropriate for your eyes.