02/27/2024
Why some Keratoconus lenses don't work.
Most of our new patients already know they have Keratoconus, and many of them are visiting us for a second opinion about their vision correction options. The most common situation is that they are unhappy with their current treatment and are looking for other options.
What’s interesting about these complaints is that most of their concerns and problems are fixable!
The most common symptoms they’re experiencing are glare, halos, rings, ghost images, streaks, shadowing, double vision, poor night vision, fogging, starbursts, dryness, uncomfortable lenses, and sore eyes. Often, these symptoms have already interfered with their quality of life.
Vision concerns?
Some visual anomalies are called High Order Aberrations (HOAs) and they seem to be more problematic at night. This is due to the pupils opening wider to let in more light. These issues also occur because the misshapen cornea allows light to enter the eye from many angles. Keratoconus causes the cornea to have an inconsistent surface with high and low points. When light enters through these angles, it causes the light to refract in inconsistent ways.
Why are some lenses uncomfortable?
Fitting contacts on a keratoconic eye is complicated due to the uneven and bumpy surface. In some cases, the lens does not fit properly on the eye. Lenses can sit over the steeper (cone) area and then teeter-totter with blinking. This movement can be very uncomfortable and even painful. Wearing lenses that don’t fit well can also cause abrasions and scarring.
Your Keratoconus lenses might not be working the way you need them to be for potentially other reasons, or it could be from a combination of reasons.
What is the solution?
Our first recommendation is being fitted with a specialty lens product that’s designed specifically for Keratoconus.
Every eye is unique and there are many different options available for different ectasias such as small central cones, lower decentered cones, keratoglobus, and Pellucid Marginal Degeneration.
When fit properly, Specialty contacts can be life changing!
Specialty lenses are fitted in our office using an assortment of custom diagnostic lenses, corneal topographies, simulated fitting software, custom fitting applications, and one-on-one consulting with the lens specialist.
