Specialty Lenses

CONTACT LENS OVERVIEW

• 40 years of experience and technology has enabled us successfully fit the most difficult cases
• Over 10,000 in stock enables same day service on most prescriptions
• Toric lenses...for astigmatism
• Bifocals, Monovision
• Rigid gas permeable lenses
• Keratoconus fittings
• Synergyes...RGP center lens for clear vision and soft lens edges for comfortable wear
• Scleral lenses...new technology allowing contact lens wear for dry eyes
• Corneal transplant fittings

Rigid Gas Permeable

These newer generation of lenses have replaced the old-fashioned "hard lenses" with plastic that allows oxygen to pass through, thus the term "gas permeable". This permeability has alleviated most of the complications associated with hard lenses. This is important from an eye health standpoint because the cornea is the only external tissue of the body that must get its oxygen supply from the atmosphere. Because of their rigidity, these lenses supply superb vision for those with even a large amount of astigmatism. These lenses are smaller than the disposables and can last up to 4 years, so the long term cost is less. The initial comfort is less than disposables but most patients feel the same comfort after about of week of wear. In addition, RGP's are prescribed for those patient who can not obtain clear vision with glasses or soft lenses due to keratoconus or corneal transplants. Bifocal RGP's are also able to provide excellent distance and near vision. Approximately 5% of patients cannot adapt to these lenses due to comfort issues. We have testing during your exam that can be a good predictor of your success.

Hybrid Contact Lenses

These lenses take advantage of technologies between the comfort of soft disposables and the excellent vision provided by a rigid gas permeable (RGP's). These lenses have a rigid gas permeable center molded into a soft lens skirt or perimeter. They are a fantastic solution for those unable to adapt to the feeling of RGP's but find that the vision of the soft lenses is unsatisfactory. They are cared for similar to that of soft lenses and they are roughly the same size. Their lifespan is between 6-12 mo. Their development has kept many patients in contact lenses and has prevented many with diseased corneas from going the route of a corneal transplant.

Scleral Contact Lenses

Due to the recent advancement in manufactoring capabilities, scleral lenses are are the latest in contact lens technology. They are larger, and made from a highly oxygen permeable material. Previously, labs could not make a lens this size, with this high degree of  oxygen permeability without irregularities. Because of their large size, these lenses have the same initial comfort as soft disposables. The smaller gas permeable RGP's are fit on the cornea, between the eye lids, and thus the patient feels the edges upon blinking. These lenses, like RGP's, are prescribed for those who can't obtain good vision with glasses or soft contacts due to corneal irregularities like keratoconus or corneal transplant. Because these lenses are designed to vault over the cornea, they are prescribed for very diseased corneas that can't even be fit with an RGP. All corneal irregularities are filled in with tears, and the smooth front surface of the lens bends light like a "new, healthy cornea". Scleral lenses are also excellent for those with very dry eye, as the lenses are inserted with a copious amount of saline, which remains behind the lens and moisturizes the eye throughout the day.

These are fit much differently than all previous lens designs, therefore requiring more time at fitting as complete settling of the lenses takes about 20-30 min. At the end of your contact lens consultation and fitting, we will be able to ascertain if you would be successful in this technology. This saves the patient unnecessary time spent and cost.

PROFESSIONAL FITTING IS REQUIRED

With all contact lenses, the fitting properties of a lens are determined by several factors including lens curvature, diameter, and power. Our goal is to provide you with contacts that fit well enough to center properly but not so tight as to prevent an adequate oxygen supply to the cornea. At Skowron Eye Care, corneal topography takes measurements at over 1000 points to give a 3D map of your eye to enable us to design the most precise, accurate fit. Cornea, eyelid health, and tear quality are evaluated to ensure safe contact lens wear.  .

NOT ALL CONTACTS ARE THE SAME.

There are many different brands or designs of disposable soft contact lenses. Each manufacturer claims to be better than the next and does its best to ensure that the doctor uses their lens. Considerable professional judgment is required for proper contact lens fitting and follow-up eye care. Many times, a contact lens must be worn several weeks to determine if it is a healthy fit to the eye. We have NO allegiance to ANY manufacturer, and our choice of lens design is made by our professional judgement and testing results that would provide a safe, comfortable fit. Be aware as others look to financial incentives offered by the manufacturers as a reason to recommend a lens.

INSTRUCTIONS ON INSERTION, REMOVAL, AND LENS CARE

In addition to the initial fitting, we will give you thorough instructions on lens insertion and removal, lens care and handling. This is something patients are frequently concerned about and is easily mastered with a little practice. The cleaning procedures are simple and will be explained and demonstrated during an instruction session with one of our staff members. Not all solutions are the same, as patients can be allergic to one and not the other. If you need additional help, we will schedule more instruction sessions at no additional charge until you feel comfortable and competent.

FOLLOW-UP CARE IS KEY TO LONG-TERM SUCCESS

Like any medical device, contact lenses must be monitored on a regular basis. Topography is taken frequently to ensure that the corneas are healthy, and are free from distortion and warpage and that the lenses fit properly. The number of follow-up visits may vary due to the complexity of the case.

If you have any other questions please call us at (630) 984-6850 today!