EyePrintPRO
What EyePrintPRO Is and How It Works
EyePrintPRO lenses are a specialized type of scleral contact lens designed for eyes that have irregular shapes or conditions standard lenses cannot accommodate. Unlike conventional lenses that come in preset sizes and curves, these are built from a physical impression that is digitized into a three-dimensional model. The lens vaults over your cornea and rests on the white part of your eye, creating a fluid-filled space that can improve both vision and comfort.
This custom approach helps people who have corneal irregularities, scarring, or other challenges that prevent success with regular contacts. The technology allows us to address even very complex eye shapes that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to fit.
EyePrintPRO is one of several options we may recommend based on your specific condition and needs. Our eye doctor will evaluate whether other approaches might be appropriate before or instead of a custom impression-based lens.
- Conventional scleral lens designs fitted with modern measurement tools
- Corneal gas permeable lenses for some irregular corneas
- Hybrid lenses that combine a rigid center with a soft edge
- Specialty soft lenses designed for mild irregular astigmatism
- Glasses with advanced optics for certain prescriptions
- Medical or surgical treatments for your underlying condition when appropriate, such as ocular surface therapy or corneal cross-linking
We capture your eye's unique contours using a safe, temporary impression material that conforms to your eye's surface. The process takes only a few minutes and is performed in our office. Once the impression material sets gently on your eye, we carefully remove it and send it to a specialized lab where technicians scan it to create a three-dimensional digital model.
This digital model serves as the blueprint for your custom lens design. The precision of the impression ensures that many curves and contours of your eye are accounted for in the final lens design.
Traditional scleral lenses are designed using measurements taken with instruments like topographers, which map the front surface of your eye. Modern practices may also use advanced tools such as scleral shape measurement devices and OCT-based assessment to directly measure portions of the sclera beyond the cornea. These lenses work well for many people. EyePrintPRO offers an additional option when other fitting methods cannot achieve the comfort or fit you need.
The impression captures the physical shape of the ocular surface exposed to the material, including your cornea and bulbar conjunctiva and sclera. This can provide detailed information about your eye's contours that may help in designing the lens.
- Standard scleral lenses use measurements from topography and other instruments
- EyePrintPRO uses a direct physical impression that is digitized
- Custom molding may improve comfort for eyes with unusual contours
- The technology may reduce the number of trial lenses needed to achieve a good fit
Our eye doctor may recommend EyePrintPRO for a variety of challenging eye conditions. These include keratoconus, pellucid marginal degeneration, and post-surgical irregularities after corneal transplants or refractive surgery. Severe dry eye that makes other lenses uncomfortable may also benefit. Eyes with significant scarring or trauma may be candidates as well.
If you have tried multiple types of contact lenses without success, or if your cornea has an irregular shape that makes fitting difficult, this technology offers an alternative path to clearer, more comfortable vision.
Signs You May Need EyePrintPRO
You may be a candidate for EyePrintPRO if you experience blurry or distorted vision that does not improve with glasses or regular contact lenses. Some people see halos, streaks, or double images that remain even when their lenses are properly positioned. Others notice their vision fluctuates throughout the day as lenses move on an irregular cornea.
- Persistent blur despite updated prescriptions
- Distortion or ghosting that affects daily activities
- Inability to achieve sharp vision with conventional lenses
- Fluctuating clarity as lenses shift on your eye
Even among scleral lenses, fit challenges can occur. You might feel pressure points, redness in specific areas, or notice your lens rocks or moves when you blink. Some people experience persistent awareness of the lens or find they cannot wear their lenses for a full day due to discomfort.
If you have gone through multiple trial fittings without finding a comfortable lens, the custom molding process may provide a better match for your eye's unique shape. Traditional fitting methods might not address every subtle contour that affects comfort.
Significant corneal irregularities can make lens fitting very challenging. This includes advanced keratoconus with steep or off-center cones. It also includes scarring from injuries or infections, and irregular astigmatism from previous surgeries. Eyes with these conditions often have shapes that do not match the curves available in standard lens designs.
The precise mapping from EyePrintPRO allows us to create a lens that conforms to even very unusual corneal topography. This can stabilize the lens better and create a more even fluid layer between the lens and your cornea.
Severe dry eye can make wearing any contact lens difficult or impossible. Scleral lenses help by creating a protective fluid reservoir over the cornea, but if the lens does not fit well, the fluid layer may not be maintained properly. Poor fit can lead to air bubbles, irritation, or surface inflammation that worsens your dry eye symptoms.
- Dry eye that makes you remove lenses early in the day
- Burning or stinging that starts soon after lens insertion
- Eyes that feel gritty or irritated despite using lubricating drops
- Difficulty maintaining moisture under your current scleral lenses
The EyePrintPRO Fitting and Design Process
During your first visit, we will review your eye health history, vision challenges, and previous lens experiences. Our eye doctor performs a comprehensive eye examination including corneal topography, measurement of your eye's surface health, and assessment of any irregularities or scarring. We also evaluate your tear film and check for conditions that might affect lens wear.
Not everyone needs the custom impression approach, so we discuss whether EyePrintPRO is the most appropriate option for your specific situation. We explain the process, timeline, and what you can expect at each step.
On the day of your impression, we prepare a special impression material and apply numbing drops to reduce sensation and improve your comfort. You will lie back while we gently place the material on your eye for a brief period while it sets. The sensation is unusual but should not be painful, and most people tolerate it well. The entire process takes just a few minutes per eye. Do not rub your eye until the numbing drops have fully worn off, usually within one to two hours. Contact our office if pain increases after the anesthetic wears off.
- We numb your eye to improve comfort before starting
- The impression material is safe and designed for ocular use
- You remain still while the material captures your eye shape
- We carefully remove the impression once it has set
- Do not rub your eye until the numbing drops have fully worn off
- Your vision may be blurry for a short time afterward as the numbing wears off
Like any medical procedure, the impression process and wearing custom scleral lenses carry some risks. Most complications are minor and temporary, but it is important that you are aware of them. Some patients may not be good candidates for this approach, and we will evaluate your suitability during your initial visit.
- The impression process can rarely cause corneal abrasion, epithelial defects, or temporary irritation
- Any contact lens carries a risk of eye infection, inflammation, or redness if not used and cared for properly
- Some patients may not tolerate the impression process or the lenses themselves
- The initial lens design may require adjustments or remakes to achieve the best fit and vision
- Patients with active eye infections or significant uncontrolled inflammation should not undergo the impression until those conditions are treated
- Certain conditions require extra caution or closer monitoring, including uncontrolled blepharitis, severe conjunctival scarring, glaucoma filtration blebs, reduced corneal sensation, or severe ocular surface exposure
After we send your impression to the lab, technicians scan it to generate a precise digital model. They use this model to design a lens that matches the contours of your eye. The design process accounts for the vault needed over your cornea, the landing zone on your sclera, and the optical power required to correct your vision.
We may communicate with the lab about specific design features based on your needs. Once the design is finalized, the lab manufactures your unique lenses using high-oxygen gas permeable lens materials commonly used for scleral lenses.
When your custom lenses arrive, you return to our office for the initial fitting. We teach you how to insert and remove the lenses safely and evaluate how they fit on your eyes. Using specialized instruments, we check the vault over your cornea, the alignment on your sclera, and how the lens moves with blinking.
We assess your vision with the lenses and look for any areas that might need refinement. Minor adjustments to the edge, curve, or power can often be made. We also make sure the fluid reservoir is appropriate and that no air bubbles are trapped under the lens.
Wearing and Caring for Your EyePrintPRO Lenses
We will train you on proper insertion and removal techniques during your fitting visit. For insertion, you fill the lens bowl with the non-preserved, single-use saline or filling solution we recommend, and use a small plunger or your fingers to apply it to your eye while looking straight ahead or down into a mirror. The lens should settle smoothly without air bubbles.
- Always wash and dry your hands thoroughly before handling lenses
- Use non-preserved, single-use saline or the filling solution we recommend to fill the lens
- Do not use solutions labeled for cleaning or rinsing to fill your lens
- Check that no air bubbles are present before applying the lens
- Never use tap water on lenses, plungers, or cases
- Remove lenses using a small plunger designed for scleral lenses
Each evening, remove your lenses and clean them using the steps we recommend. Rub both sides gently with an appropriate contact lens cleaner compatible with gas permeable and scleral lens materials to remove protein and debris. Rinse thoroughly with the solution we specify.
Disinfect your lenses overnight in a clean case. If we recommend a hydrogen peroxide disinfection system, the peroxide must be fully neutralized in the correct case before the lens touches your eye. Never put hydrogen peroxide directly in your eye, as it will cause serious pain and injury. If we recommend a multipurpose disinfection solution, follow the instructions we provide. Replace your lens case every one to three months to prevent bacterial buildup. Never use tap water, saliva, or expired solutions on your lenses. Keep all your supplies clean and stored in a dry area.
To reduce your risk of serious eye infections, avoid exposing your lenses to water. Water from any source can contain harmful microorganisms that cause infections, including Acanthamoeba, which can lead to severe complications.
- Do not sleep in your lenses unless our eye doctor specifically directs you to do so
- Avoid swimming, using hot tubs, or showering while wearing your lenses
- Do not rinse lenses, cases, or plungers with tap water
- Remove your lenses before any water activity unless you wear tight-fitting goggles approved for the purpose
- If your lenses are accidentally exposed to water, remove them, clean and disinfect them thoroughly, and contact our office if you develop any symptoms
Most people can wear their EyePrintPRO lenses for twelve to sixteen hours per day once they have adjusted to them. Some individuals with very sensitive eyes may start with shorter wear times and gradually increase. Your lenses may last one to two years with proper care, though this varies based on how your eye chemistry affects the material and whether your prescription or eye shape changes.
We will schedule regular follow-ups to monitor your lenses for deposits, scratches, or warping. When your lenses show signs of wear or your vision changes, we may recommend replacement. Because these are custom-made, ordering new lenses takes several weeks.
Contact us if you notice your vision has become blurry or less clear than when your lenses were new. Increased discomfort, redness that does not resolve shortly after removing the lens, or visible damage like cracks or chips all indicate a problem. You should also reach out if the lens suddenly feels different or no longer stays centered on your eye.
- Decreased vision quality compared to your baseline
- New discomfort or pressure points during wear
- Pain, light sensitivity, or decreased vision while wearing the lens
- A red, painful eye or any discharge
- A lens that feels stuck or is difficult to remove
- Persistent redness or irritation after lens removal
- Visible deposits that do not clean off
- Any physical damage to the lens material or edge
Results, Follow-Up, and When to Contact Us
Many people experience improvement in both vision clarity and comfort with their custom lenses. If you have irregular astigmatism or corneal distortion, you may see sharper, more stable vision than you have had in years. The fluid reservoir also provides relief for dry eye symptoms, allowing more comfortable lens wear throughout the day.
Results vary based on your underlying condition and the health of your eye structures. While many people achieve excellent outcomes, some complex cases may still have limitations. Some patients need additional treatments, such as ongoing ocular surface therapy or corneal care, to achieve their best results. We will discuss realistic expectations for your specific situation during your evaluation.
After your initial fitting, we typically see you again within one to two weeks to assess how you are adapting to the lenses. Further visits are scheduled at one month, three months, and then every six to twelve months depending on your needs. During these appointments, we check your eye health, evaluate the lens condition, and make sure your vision remains stable.
Regular monitoring helps us catch any early signs of complications such as corneal changes, lens deposits, or fit issues. Consistent follow-up care is essential for long-term success with any specialty contact lens.
Brief, mild redness that resolves within an hour of removing your lenses and does not recur is usually not concerning. However, if redness is accompanied by pain, decreased vision, discharge, is limited to one area of your eye, or happens repeatedly, contact us for same-day advice. If your lenses feel slightly dry late in the day, you can use preservative-free lubricating drops designed for use with scleral lenses.
- Brief redness after lens removal that fades quickly and does not recur
- End-of-day dryness relieved by approved lubricant drops
- Difficulty with insertion or removal that improves with practice
If you notice fogging during the day, this usually requires you to remove the lens, rinse it thoroughly, refill it with fresh filling solution, and reinsert it. Fogging typically does not clear with blinking alone. If fogging happens frequently, schedule an office visit for a fit assessment. Air bubbles that appear after insertion are best managed by removing the lens promptly and reinserting it with careful attention to your technique. Persistent or recurring bubbles warrant a fit evaluation in our office.
Contact our office immediately if you develop sudden vision loss, severe pain, or intense light sensitivity while wearing your lenses. Remove the lenses right away if you experience these symptoms. Do not reinsert your lenses until you have been evaluated. Other urgent signs include discharge that is yellow or green, significant swelling of your eyelids, or redness that worsens rather than improves after you take the lenses out.
Any injury to your eye while wearing or handling lenses requires prompt evaluation. If you cannot reach us, seek care at an emergency eye clinic or hospital emergency department. Do not wait to see if serious symptoms improve on their own.
Frequently Asked Questions
From your initial evaluation to receiving your finished lenses often takes six to eight weeks, though the timeline can vary. The impression appointment happens after your candidacy assessment. The lab requires several weeks to scan, design, and manufacture your custom lenses. Scheduling and any necessary adjustments or remakes may affect the total time. Once your lenses arrive, we schedule your fitting and training visit.
The impression process feels unusual but should not be painful because we use numbing drops beforehand. You will feel pressure and awareness of the material on your eye, but most patients find it tolerable. The numbing wears off within one to two hours, and any mild irritation afterward usually resolves quickly.
Coverage varies widely depending on your specific insurance plan and medical diagnosis. Some plans cover medically necessary contact lenses for conditions like keratoconus or corneal transplant, while others do not. Our staff can help you verify your benefits and provide documentation to submit to your insurance company, though we cannot guarantee reimbursement.
Many people with severe dry eye find relief with scleral lenses because the fluid reservoir keeps the cornea hydrated. The custom fit of EyePrintPRO may enhance this benefit by maintaining a more stable fluid layer. However, certain very severe dry eye conditions may still pose challenges. We evaluate your tear production and ocular surface health to determine if you are a good candidate.
If your corneal shape changes due to disease progression or surgery, your lenses may no longer fit optimally. We monitor for changes at your regular visits and can order new impressions and lenses if needed. Progressive conditions like keratoconus may require periodic lens updates, while stable conditions often allow years of wear from a single set of lenses.
Getting Help for EyePrintPRO
If you have struggled with vision or comfort despite trying many contact lens options, schedule a consultation with our eye doctor to learn whether EyePrintPRO might help. We will evaluate your eyes, discuss your goals, and explain what to expect throughout the process.
- A list of contact lenses and other treatments you have tried
- Your current eyeglass and contact lens prescriptions if available
- Records from previous eye doctors, especially if you have had corneal surgery or treatment
- A list of your current eye drops and medications
- Questions about the process, costs, and timeline