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Which Contact Lenses Are the Best for Your Stage of Keratoconus?

There are a variety of contact lens options for keratoconus patients. Certain contacts are suitable for specific cases so it is important to consult with your optometrist to find the best contact lenses for you and your keratoconus condition.

Which Contact Lenses Are the Best for Your Stage of Keratoconus? Optometrist
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Contacts and Keratoconus

Deterioration of vision from keratoconus occurs gradually as the cornea changes shape over the lifetime of the patient. As the severity progresses, the types of lenses that are suitable as corrective aids will change. What may be suitable today, may require more sophisticated lenses tomorrow. All contacts require a custom fitting to ensure that they match the precise measurements of the patient’s eyes.

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What Lenses Are Available For Keratoconus?

There are many available contact lens options featuring unique designs and made of different materials.These include:

  • Soft contacts: Soft lens designs provide more comfort, however, they are only suitable for moderate keratoconus. As the condition progresses and the cornea becomes more conical, patients will require stronger lenses.
  • Gas permeable lenses: These are made of material that enable essential oxygen flow to the eye.
  • Hybrid contacts: These offer the comfort of a soft lens with the added feature of gas permeable functionality.
  • Scleral contacts: Post corneal transplant surgery, scleral lenses often become necessary, since scarring of the cornea prevents usage of standard types.These lenses feature a unique design that rests on the sclera, avoiding the damaged cornea and creating a new ocular surface. Scleral contacts provide superior comfort and visual acuity over other options.
Treatment Options With Keratoconus

Treatment Options With Keratoconus

Depending on the stages of the condition, patients will require different lenses. Soft contacts offer comfort but as the condition degenerates they are longer suitable for vision correction. Severe keratoconus often requires specialty contacts such as hybrid, scleral, and gas permeable options which permit oxygen flow.

Common Questions

The latest lens for keratoconus often involves scleral or hybrid lenses. These lenses offer more comfort and better vision than traditional lenses. An optometrist with expertise in keratoconus would recommend the most suitable one based on the patient's specific condition and lifestyle.
Contact lenses can significantly improve vision in patients with keratoconus. Although they can't cure or slow the progression of the disease, they can help by reshaping the cornea while they're being worn, providing clearer vision.
Wearing regular contact lenses with keratoconus can be challenging due to the cone-like shape of the cornea. That's why specialists often recommend custom-made lenses such as scleral or rigid gas-permeable lenses. These are specifically designed to accommodate the irregular corneal shape.
While hard or rigid gas-permeable (RGP) contact lenses can help improve vision by providing a clear front surface for the eye, they do not stop the progression of keratoconus. These lenses can mask the symptoms but don't alter the underlying disease. Regular check-ups with a keratoconus specialist are crucial for monitoring the condition's progression.
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Summary

Keratoconus involves the gradual weakening and bulging of the cornea, leading to visual distortion and blurry vision. The types of lenses that are suitable for keratoconus vary according to the severity of the condition, and they will likely change over time.  Many keratoconus patients will require the use of contact lenses even after undergoing surgery. 

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