Specialty Contact Lenses

For many people, traditional soft contact lenses provide clear, comfortable vision.

But for others, standard lenses may not deliver the clarity, comfort, or stability they need.At Downtown Vision, we offer advanced specialty contact lens options designed to address complex vision needs, improve comfort, and help patients achieve their best possible vision.

Specialty Contact Lenses

What Are Specialty Contact Lenses?

Specialty contact lenses are custom-designed lenses created to correct vision problems that cannot be fully addressed with standard soft contacts or glasses. These lenses are often used to treat irregular corneas, high prescriptions, age-related vision changes, or certain eye conditions.

Specialty contacts are typically custom-fit to the unique shape and health of your eyes. They are crafted with specific materials and designs to provide sharper vision, better stability, and enhanced comfort.

Girl putting contact lens in eye

Who Can Benefit from Specialty Contact Lenses?

Specialty contact lenses may be recommended for patients who:

  • Have astigmatism or irregular corneas

  • Have keratoconus or corneal scarring

  • Struggle with dryness or discomfort in traditional soft lenses

  • Have very high nearsightedness or farsightedness

  • Need help managing presbyopia

  • Want non-surgical options for vision correction, including myopia management

If you’ve been told in the past that you’re not a good candidate for contact lenses, specialty lenses may open up new possibilities.

The Specialty Contact Lens Fitting Process

Fitting specialty contact lenses is more detailed than a standard contact lens exam. At Downtown Vision, the process includes:

  • Comprehensive Eye Exam: We begin with a full eye health and vision evaluation to assess your prescription and overall eye condition.

  • Advanced Measurements: Specialty lenses require precise measurements of your cornea. This may include corneal topography, which maps the curvature of your eye to ensure a custom, accurate fit.

  • Trial Lens Fitting: You’ll try diagnostic lenses so we can evaluate comfort, vision clarity, and lens movement on your eye. Adjustments are often made to refine the fit.

Because these lenses are customized, the process may take more time - but the result is clearer, more comfortable vision tailored specifically to you.

lady putting on a contact lens
a gray eyeball looking up

Types of Specialty Contact Lenses

  • Rigid Gas-Permeable (RGP) Lenses: RGP lenses are firm, oxygen-permeable lenses that maintain their shape on the eye, providing sharp, stable vision—especially for astigmatism or irregular corneas. They are durable, long-lasting, and resistant to deposits, though they may require a brief adjustment period.

  • Scleral Contact Lenses: Scleral lenses are larger lenses that rest on the white of the eye and vault over the cornea, creating a fluid layer for added comfort. They are ideal for keratoconus, severe dry eye, corneal irregularities, and post-surgical eyes, offering excellent stability and hydration.

  • Hybrid Contact Lenses: Hybrid lenses feature a rigid center for crisp vision and a soft outer skirt for improved comfort. They’re a great option for patients who need the clarity of an RGP lens but prefer a softer feel.

  • Multifocal Contact Lenses: Designed for presbyopia, multifocal lenses allow clear vision at near, intermediate, and far distances. They help reduce reliance on reading glasses and provide a convenient, all-in-one solution.

  • Ortho-K (Orthokeratology): Ortho-K lenses are worn overnight to gently reshape the cornea, providing clear daytime vision without glasses or contacts. They’re commonly used for myopia management in children and for patients seeking a non-surgical, reversible vision correction option.

Find the Right Specialty Lenses for You

Specialty contact lenses require expertise, precision, and individualized care. Our eye doctors take the time to understand your visual goals, eye health, and lifestyle needs before recommending the right solution.We use advanced diagnostic technology and a patient-centered approach to ensure your lenses fit properly, feel comfortable, and provide optimal vision.

Schedule a consultation at Downtown Vision to find the best specialty contact lens for your unique vision needs and lifestyle.

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little girl with red glasses