Custom Soft Contact Lenses
Who Needs Custom Soft Contact Lenses
A custom contact lens is manufactured with specifications tailored to your individual eye measurements and prescription. Unlike standard lenses that come in limited sizes and powers, custom lenses can be made in a wider range of diameter, curve, and prescription strength combinations than standard lenses, within the limits of available materials and manufacturing capabilities. Our eye doctor takes detailed measurements of your cornea and visual needs to create a unique design.
The manufacturing process involves sending your specific measurements to a lab that builds each lens individually. This personalized approach allows us to address vision and fit challenges that mass-produced lenses cannot solve.
Some eyes have corneas that are not perfectly round or smooth. Conditions such as keratoconus, pellucid marginal degeneration, or corneal scarring can create an irregular surface. Standard soft lenses may rock, slide, or fail to center properly on these eyes.
Custom soft lenses can be designed with specific curves and thickness zones that conform to your corneal topography. This specialized fit may improve centration and comfort and can sometimes improve vision through stabilized optics and controlled thickness profiles, though soft lenses may not fully mask irregular astigmatism in all cases.
For more advanced irregular corneas such as moderate to severe keratoconus, significant scarring, or post-transplant irregularity, rigid gas permeable or scleral lenses are often needed to achieve the best vision. Custom soft lenses may be a suitable option for milder cases or can serve as a step before moving to rigid lens designs.
If you have very high nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, standard contact lenses may not be available in your prescription range. Custom soft lenses can be manufactured in a wider range of powers than typical brands offer, though still within lab and material limits. We can also combine corrections for multiple vision problems in a single lens.
- Extreme myopia or hyperopia exceeding standard ranges
- Astigmatism above typical toric lens limits
- Unusual axis orientations for astigmatism correction
- Combinations of distance, intermediate, and near vision needs, though performance may vary and involve tradeoffs
Even with a normal prescription, some people experience chronic discomfort with off-the-shelf lenses. Your eyes may be larger or smaller than average, or your lids may have an unusual shape. Standard lens sizes can feel too tight, causing redness and irritation, or too loose, leading to excessive movement and blurred vision.
Custom lenses allow us to adjust the diameter and edge design to match your eye anatomy precisely. This personalized fit may reduce pressure points and lens awareness, though comfort can still be affected by dry eye, allergies, or other ocular surface factors.
Standard toric lenses correct mild to moderate astigmatism by incorporating different powers in different meridians. However, they come in limited axis steps and cylinder powers. If your astigmatism has an unusual axis or exceeds available cylinder ranges, standard torics may leave your vision blurry.
Custom toric soft lenses offer broader axis and cylinder options than standard lenses, with many labs providing one-degree or finer axis steps and higher cylinder powers. We may recommend this option when you have been unable to achieve sharp vision with conventional toric lenses.
Surgical procedures such as corneal transplants, LASIK, PRK, or cataract surgery can change the shape of your cornea in ways that make standard lenses unsuitable. Trauma or injury can also leave scarring or irregularities. These changes often require custom lens designs to achieve good vision and comfort.
- Post-refractive surgery corneal shape changes
- Corneal graft recipients with irregular surfaces
- Scarring from infection or trauma
- Residual astigmatism after cataract surgery
Types of Custom Soft Contact Lenses
Custom toric lenses are designed to correct astigmatism that falls outside standard toric lens parameters. These lenses incorporate a ballast or prism to keep the lens oriented correctly on your eye. The cylinder power and axis can be specified to match your exact astigmatism measurements.
We use advanced diagnostic tools to determine your precise astigmatism axis and degree. The custom toric lens then aims to improve clarity and stability by aligning the corrective zones accurately with your corneal shape.
Some eyes require lenses that are larger or smaller than typical soft lenses. A larger diameter can improve stability for patients with high astigmatism or help the lens better conform to irregular central corneal areas. Smaller diameters may be necessary for very small eyes or specific anatomical features.
- Lenses up to 15 or 16 millimeters for enhanced coverage
- Large-diameter soft lenses for additional coverage and stability
- Compact lenses for petite eye openings
- Custom edge profiles to reduce lens awareness
If soft lenses cannot provide adequate vision or stability, we may discuss rigid scleral lenses, which are a different lens type that vault over the cornea and rest on the white part of the eye.
Presbyopia requires correction for both distance and near vision. Standard multifocal lenses use predetermined add powers and zone designs. Custom multifocal soft lenses allow us to tailor the add power, zone size, and even the position of near and distance areas to your specific visual demands.
This customization can be especially helpful if you have high astigmatism combined with presbyopia or if you have not succeeded with standard multifocal designs. We may recommend custom multifocals when your work or hobbies require specific intermediate or near vision zones.
Custom soft lenses can be tinted to improve comfort in bright light or to enhance contrast for certain activities. Tints may help manage photophobia, reduce glare, and improve comfort in specific lighting conditions. Some custom lenses also incorporate prosthetic tints to mask corneal scars or iris irregularities for cosmetic purposes.
We select the tint density and color based on your light sensitivity level and cosmetic goals. These lenses can be made with prescription correction, but tints may affect contrast, color perception, and night vision depending on the tint and lighting conditions. We will discuss whether tinted lenses are safe for tasks such as driving or working in low light.
The back surface of a contact lens sits against your cornea, while the front surface faces outward. Custom lenses can have tailored curves on either or both surfaces.
Back surface customization addresses fit and comfort by matching your corneal topography closely. Front surface customization primarily affects optical performance and can incorporate complex prescription zones. Some advanced custom lenses use both front and back surface modifications to optimize both fit and vision simultaneously.
When Custom Soft Lenses Are Not the Best Option
For patients with significant corneal irregularity, such as moderate to advanced keratoconus, post-surgical ectasia, or extensive scarring, rigid gas permeable or scleral lenses often provide superior vision compared to any soft lens design. Rigid lenses create a smooth optical surface that masks irregular astigmatism more effectively than soft materials.
Scleral lenses vault over the entire cornea and rest on the white part of the eye. They can provide excellent comfort and vision for irregular corneas and severe dry eye. We will discuss these options if custom soft lenses do not meet your visual needs.
Hybrid lenses combine a rigid gas permeable center for clear optics with a soft outer skirt for comfort. These lenses may be a good choice if you need the visual performance of a rigid lens but have difficulty adapting to the sensation of a traditional gas permeable lens.
We may recommend hybrid lenses for patients with keratoconus, high astigmatism, or post-refractive surgery irregularity who have not succeeded with custom soft lenses.
If you have significant dry eye, meibomian gland dysfunction, or other ocular surface disease, treating these conditions before or alongside contact lens fitting may be necessary. Even the best custom lens fit cannot overcome a compromised tear film or inflamed ocular surface.
We may recommend artificial tears, prescription medications, warm compresses, or other therapies to improve your ocular surface health before finalizing your custom lens design. Optimizing your eye health first increases the likelihood of successful lens wear.
The Custom Lens Fitting Process
Your custom lens journey begins with a thorough eye exam. We check your overall eye health, measure your prescription, and assess the shape and size of your eyes. This exam includes testing your tear film quality and evaluating your eyelid position and movement.
- Refraction to determine your exact prescription
- Slit lamp examination of corneal health
- Tear film assessment for dry eye screening
- Pupil size measurement in different lighting
- Eyelid structure and blink evaluation
We use corneal topography or tomography to create a detailed map of your corneal surface. These instruments measure thousands of points across your cornea to reveal its exact shape, curvature, and any irregularities. The data guides the lens design to ensure an optimal fit.
Additional imaging may include optical coherence tomography to measure corneal thickness or anterior segment photography to document your eye anatomy. All of these measurements are sent to the lens manufacturer along with your prescription.
In some cases, we may start with a diagnostic trial lens to assess fit and comfort before ordering your final custom lenses. The trial lens helps us evaluate how a particular design moves on your eye and whether adjustments are needed. You will wear the trial lens for a short period while we observe its performance.
We check for proper centration, movement with blinking, and edge alignment. If the trial lens does not fit perfectly, we modify the parameters before placing the custom order.
Once we finalize your lens design, we submit the order to a specialty lab that manufactures custom soft lenses. The lab uses your measurements to create lenses specifically for your eyes. Manufacturing typically takes longer than standard contacts because each lens is made individually rather than pulled from inventory.
We will give you an estimated timeframe for when your lenses will arrive. Depending on the complexity of your prescription and the manufacturer, this can range from one to several weeks.
When your custom lenses arrive, you will return for a fitting appointment. We will place the lenses on your eyes and evaluate the fit, vision, and comfort. You will spend time wearing the lenses in the office so we can assess how they perform.
- Vision testing with the lenses in place
- Fit assessment using a microscope
- Instruction on insertion and removal techniques
- Discussion of wearing schedule and care routine
- Scheduling your first follow-up visit
Wearing and Caring for Custom Soft Contact Lenses
Like all contact lenses, custom soft lenses carry some risk of complications. Understanding these risks helps you recognize problems early and follow the care steps that keep your eyes healthy.
- Microbial keratitis and corneal ulcers from bacteria, fungi, or parasites, especially with poor hygiene, water exposure, or overnight wear
- Inflammatory reactions such as contact lens acute red eye, sterile infiltrates, or giant papillary conjunctivitis
- Reduced oxygen to the cornea, which can lead to swelling, blood vessel growth, or discomfort, particularly with thicker lenses or extended wear
- Persistent dryness or discomfort due to tear film problems or meibomian gland dysfunction
- Solution toxicity or chemical injury if peroxide systems are not neutralized properly
Proper cleaning is essential to keep your custom lenses safe and comfortable. Each time you remove your lenses, rub them gently with contact lens solution even if the solution is labeled as a no-rub formula. This mechanical cleaning removes protein, lipid, and debris that accumulate during wear.
After rubbing, rinse each lens thoroughly with fresh solution and place it in a clean case filled with new disinfecting solution. Never reuse old solution or top off the solution in your case. Following this routine helps prevent infections and extends the life of your custom lenses.
Never use tap water, bottled water, or saliva to rinse or store your lenses. Do not transfer solution into smaller or non-sterile containers. Use only the type of solution our eye doctor recommends, whether multipurpose solution or hydrogen peroxide systems. If you use a hydrogen peroxide system, follow the neutralization steps exactly to avoid chemical injury to your eyes.
Inserting and removing lenses correctly protects both your eyes and your custom lenses. Always wash and dry your hands before handling your lenses. Place the lens on the tip of your index finger and check that it is not inside out by ensuring it forms a smooth cup shape.
- Hold your upper lid open with one hand
- Pull down your lower lid with your other hand
- Look upward and gently place the lens on your eye
- Release your lids and blink slowly to center the lens
- For removal, look up and slide the lens down onto the white of your eye before pinching it gently
Custom soft contact lenses are typically designed as monthly, quarterly, or even annual replacement lenses, depending on the material and design. Your replacement schedule depends on the lens material, your tear chemistry, and how much protein and debris accumulate on the lenses. We will advise you on the appropriate replacement frequency.
Replacing your lenses on schedule is crucial for maintaining eye health and optimal vision. Even with excellent care, lenses degrade over time and can harbor microorganisms or develop deposits that affect comfort and clarity.
Your lens case can become a source of contamination if not cleaned properly. After inserting your lenses each morning, empty the case, rinse it with fresh solution, and let it air dry upside down on a clean tissue. Replace your lens case every one to three months or whenever it appears dirty or damaged.
Never use tap water to rinse your case or lenses, as water can introduce harmful microorganisms. Always use sterile contact lens solution for all cleaning and storage steps. Replace your case immediately after any eye infection, and bring your case and solutions to your appointment if you experience recurrent irritation.
Certain activities increase the risk of eye infections or lens damage. Avoid wearing your contact lenses while swimming, using a hot tub, or showering, as water exposure can introduce bacteria and parasites. Remove your lenses before sleeping unless our eye doctor has specifically approved overnight wear for your custom lenses.
- Swimming in pools, lakes, or oceans
- Using hot tubs or saunas
- Showering or bathing with lenses in
- Sleeping or napping in lenses not approved for extended wear
- Exposing lenses to hairspray, perfume, or other chemicals
Follow-Up Care and Troubleshooting
We will schedule your first follow-up visit within one to two weeks of receiving your custom lenses. This visit allows us to check how well your eyes are adapting and whether any adjustments are needed. After the initial period, we typically recommend follow-up exams every six to twelve months.
Regular follow-ups help us monitor your eye health, ensure the lenses continue to fit properly, and update your prescription if your vision changes. Missing follow-up visits can lead to undetected problems that may compromise your eye health or comfort.
Sometimes custom lenses need refinement even after the initial fitting. If you notice that your vision fluctuates throughout the day, the lenses feel loose or tight, or you experience persistent awareness of the lenses, contact our office. These symptoms may indicate that the fit or prescription needs modification.
- Blurred or fluctuating vision after the adaptation period
- Persistent lens awareness or foreign body sensation
- Lenses that move excessively or fall out easily
- Redness or indentation marks after lens removal
Remove your lenses immediately if you experience sudden pain, significant redness, light sensitivity, or vision loss. These symptoms can indicate a serious problem such as a corneal infection, abrasion, or inflammatory reaction. Contact our office right away to schedule an urgent appointment.
If symptoms are severe or occur after hours, seek urgent evaluation at an urgent care center or emergency room rather than waiting. Do not patch the eye, and avoid using leftover antibiotic or steroid drops unless specifically directed by our eye doctor. Bring your lenses, case, and solutions to the appointment so we can evaluate all possible causes.
Do not resume wearing your lenses until we have examined your eyes and determined the cause of your symptoms. Continuing to wear lenses when you have an active problem can worsen the condition and lead to permanent damage.
Custom lenses take time to manufacture, so losing or damaging a lens can be frustrating. If you lose or tear a lens, contact our office to order a replacement. Because your lens specifications are on file, we can reorder the same design without repeating all the measurements.
Keep a backup pair of glasses with your current prescription so you can see clearly while waiting for replacement lenses. Some patients choose to order spare custom lenses to have on hand for emergencies.
Your vision can change due to aging, health conditions, or other factors. We will reassess your prescription at regular intervals to ensure your custom lenses continue to provide optimal vision. If your prescription changes significantly, we will modify the lens design and order new lenses with the updated parameters.
Changes in your corneal shape or eye health may also require adjustments to the lens fit. We monitor these factors at each visit and recommend new custom lenses whenever necessary to maintain clear, comfortable vision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Custom soft contact lenses generally cost more than standard lenses because they are manufactured individually for your eyes. Pricing varies based on the complexity of your prescription, the lens design, and the manufacturer. Our office can provide a detailed estimate during your fitting consultation, including the cost of exams, fitting fees, and the lenses themselves.
Manufacturing time for custom soft lenses typically ranges from one to four weeks, depending on the lab and the complexity of your order. Rush services may be available for an additional fee in some cases. We will give you an expected delivery timeframe when we place your order so you can plan accordingly.
Most custom soft contact lenses are designed for daily wear, meaning you should remove them before sleeping. However, some custom lenses are made from materials approved for extended or continuous wear. We will tell you whether your specific custom lenses are safe for overnight use based on the material and your individual eye health.
Even with approved materials, overnight wear increases the risk of complications such as infection and inflammation. Only sleep in your lenses if our eye doctor has specifically prescribed overnight wear for you, and stop immediately if you notice redness, pain, or light sensitivity.
Insurance coverage for custom contact lenses varies widely among plans. Some policies include contact lens benefits that apply to custom lenses, while others may cover them only if they are medically necessary due to a diagnosed condition. Our staff can help you verify your benefits and submit claims on your behalf.
If your eyes or prescription change over time, you may be able to return to standard contact lenses. However, if you require custom lenses due to an irregular cornea, extreme prescription, or other anatomical reason, standard lenses may never be a suitable option. We will assess your situation at each visit and recommend the best lens type for your current needs.
Getting Help for Custom Soft Contact Lenses
If you are struggling with standard contact lenses or have been told you are not a candidate for contacts, custom soft lenses may offer a solution. Schedule a consultation with our eye doctor to discuss your vision challenges and explore whether custom soft contact lenses are right for you. We are here to help you achieve clear, comfortable vision tailored to your unique eyes.