Wearing Contacts Shouldn’t Hurt: Is It Time for a Specialty Lens Fitting?

Contact lenses are meant to enhance your vision and fit seamlessly into your daily life. However, if you experience irritation, dryness, or blurry vision while wearing contacts, these may be signs that standard lenses may not be right for your eyes. These signs don't necessarily mean you can't wear contact lenses; you may need specialty contact lenses that are fit just for you. Let's take a closer look at why traditional contacts may not be working, how specialty lenses can help, and what to expect from a personalized fitting.

 

Why Traditional Contact Lenses Can Cause Discomfort

Standard soft contact lenses are designed to fit the average eye. However, not all eyes are the same. Factors like irregular corneas, dry eye disease, or high prescriptions can make it difficult for traditional lenses to sit correctly on the eye. This poor fit can lead to symptoms like:

  • Dryness or irritation

  • Redness

  • Blurred or fluctuating vision

  • The feeling that the lens is "moving around"
     

If these issues sound familiar, you may benefit from a more customized solution.
 

What Are Specialty Contact Lenses?

Specialty contact lenses are designed for people who can't comfortably or effectively wear regular contacts. These lenses are made to fit unique eye shapes and conditions that require more than a one-size-fits-all approach.
 

Types of Specialty Lenses We Offer Include:

  • Scleral Lenses: Ideal for irregular corneas, keratoconus, or severe dry eye. These larger lenses vault over the cornea and rest on the white part of the eye for added comfort and hydration.

  • Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Lenses: Offer sharp vision and are often used for high astigmatism or keratoconus.

  • Ortho-K (Orthokeratology) Lenses: Specially designed to reshape the cornea overnight, Ortho-K lenses allow you to enjoy clear vision during the day without the need for glasses or contacts. They're commonly used to manage myopia in children and adults.
     

What to Expect During a Specialty Lens Exam and Fitting

A specialty contact lens exam is a detailed and personalized experience designed to ensure the best possible fit and comfort. Unlike a standard contact lens fitting, this process involves advanced testing and a thorough evaluation of your eye health.
 

We begin with a comprehensive eye health assessment, examining your corneal shape, tear film quality, and overall ocular condition using state-of-the-art diagnostic tools. This step helps us determine whether specialty lenses are appropriate for your needs.
 

Next, we use corneal topography and other imaging technologies to map the surface of your eyes with high precision. This data allows us to design lenses that align perfectly with the unique contours of your eyes.
 

After gathering these measurements, we fit you with trial lenses tailored to your specific eye shape and vision requirements. We’ll monitor how the lenses perform and make any necessary adjustments to ensure the best fit and clarity.
 

Once we’ve identified the ideal lens, we’ll walk you through how to properly insert, remove, and care for your lenses. Our goal is to make sure you feel confident and supported in managing your new lenses.
 

Discover the Comfort of Lenses Made for You

Wearing contact lenses shouldn't be painful or frustrating. At Downtown Vision, we specialize in helping patients who struggle with traditional contact lenses. Whether you have keratoconus, corneal scarring, or haven't found the right fit yet, we're here to help you achieve clear, comfortable vision.
 

Schedule your specialty contact lens exam and fitting at Downtown Vision to experience the difference in comfort and clarity. Call us at (775) 322-4061 (Reno) or (775) 883-3977 (Carson City), or use this link, to book an appointment today.