Contact Lenses
Herndon, VA
Every patient is different and so are their eyes. This means there needs to be different types of contact lenses to suit each individual. Some patients have corneal abnormalities that make regular lenses uncomfortable to wear, while others suffer from eye conditions that could cause discomfort or irritation with normal contact lenses.
At Beyond Eyecare, we offer a range of contact lenses in Herndon for hard-to-fit patients with astigmatism, dry eyes, or keratoconus or who have had eye surgery in the past. Contact lens technology has improved significantly over the years, and Dr. Khaldieh can often help patients who thought they would never be able to wear contact lenses. Using corneal mapping technology, he can map the surface of your eyes and create customized lenses that fit your eyes perfectly.
Contact lenses for hard-to-fit patients
We may be able to help you find comfortable contact lenses even if you:
- Have high astigmatism
- Have been diagnosed with dry eye syndrome
- Have corneal scarring
- Have been diagnosed with keratoconus, a condition characterized by the bulging of the cornea
- Suffer from strabismus, a condition where the patient has an eye that turns in or out relative to the other
- Have suffered an eye injury
- Suffer from a peripheral corneal thinning disorder
- Are intolerant to other types of lenses
Dr. Khaldieh will be able to tell you which lenses would be best based on your individual requirements. Here are some of the options we provide:
Orthokeratology
Ortho-k is a treatment to help patients see clearly even when they are not wearing a prescription lens. Instead, a gas permeable contact lens is placed into the eye each night before bed and the lens gently pushes the eye into the proper shape while you sleep. In the morning, you can remove the lenses and still see clearly throughout the day. It is a great option for patients who are physically active, don’t want to wear glasses or contacts during the day, or are looking to manage their myopia.
Rigid gas-permeable lenses
Also known as RGP lenses, these are made from a rigid material that allows oxygen to pass through them and reach the surface of the eyes. This helps keep the eyes hydrated and comfortable, making these lenses easier to wear, especially for patients who suffer from dry eyes.
More about rigid gas-permeable lenses
Dry eyes aren’t just a symptom, but a very real condition, characterized by dry, stiff, and uncomfortable eyes, blurred vision, and eye fatigue. RGP lenses are more rigid than soft lenses, which helps keep them stable and secure on the eyes so that patients can enjoy sharper vision. They also help the cornea maintain its shape, minimizing the effects of some corneal abnormalities.
Scleral contact lenses
Scleral contact lenses are very different from standard contact lenses. Scleral lenses are much larger in diameter, with multiple sizes available depending on your specific needs. This size difference means that the edges of the contact lens fall on a white part of the eye, called the sclera, rather than the cornea. With scleral lenses, you can experience exceptionally clear vision! Their design helps create a stable, even tear film under the lens, which can minimize distortions and give you crisp, sharp vision.
More about scleral contact lenses
Scleral lenses are also a good choice for patients with dry eyes and corneal abnormalities. Since scleral lenses vault over the surface of the cornea rather than touching it, they leave a space between the front surface of the eye and the back of the contact lens. This space creates a reservoir of fluid, which keeps the eyes hydrated, and accommodates many corneal abnormalities, such as the bulge associated with keratoconus.
Limbal fit contact lenses
Limbal contact lenses are another type of contact lens that falls between rigid gas-permeable lenses and scleral lenses in terms of their size. Their larger size helps to increase their stability on the surface of your eyes. They also offer minimal interference with the eyelids, which helps to ensure comfortable and clear vision.
Toric contact lenses
Toric contact lenses are designed for people with astigmatism, a common vision issue. Astigmatism happens when the cornea (the front surface of your eye) isn’t perfectly round, causing blurry or distorted vision. Toric lenses are shaped differently from regular contact lenses to address this issue. Toric lenses must be positioned correctly on your eye to ensure you get the best vision correction.
More about toric contact lenses
Fortunately, manufacturers design toric lenses with features that help them stay in place, including:
- Thin/thick zones
- Creating areas of the lens that are thicker or heavier which helps secure it in position
- An area where the bottom of the lens is slightly cut off
Toric lenses are a little firmer than traditional soft lenses to help keep them in place. Some people might find them to be less comfortable, but patients generally find that the benefit outweighs the cost. Our eye doctor can help you determine if you are a good candidate and which type will best fit your needs.
Hybrid contact lenses
Hybrid contact lenses are a combination of both soft and RGB contact lenses, allowing patients to enjoy the best parts of both designs. The middle part of hybrid lenses is made from a gas-permeable material that lets oxygen pass through to the eyes.
More about hybrid contact lenses
However, the gas-permeable part of the lens is more rigid, and this firmer center gives the lens greater stability and enhanced clarity. It also helps trap moisture so that the eye remains hydrated. Meanwhile, the outer edge of hybrid lenses is a soft lens skirt. This means that patients don’t have to deal with the hard edges associated with RGP lenses that may be uncomfortable. Instead, the comfort levels that patients experience are more like wearing fully soft lenses.
Prosthetic lenses
A prosthetic lens is an advanced scleral lens designed for patients with advanced keratoconus who have ruled out other options. These lenses also double as a protective prosthetic shell. However, there are special requirements to qualify for this lens, so ask our eye doctor if this is an option for you.
Multifocal contact lenses
Multifocal lenses can be a good option for people with presbyopia, a common age-related vision problem that makes it difficult to see objects up close. They correct vision at multiple distances, from near to intermediate to far, eliminating the need for different pairs of glasses for up-close and distance vision. They have multiple prescriptions in one lens with a smooth transition between the different powers.
Monovision contact lenses
Monovision contact lenses can help with cases of presbyopia. As people get older, the lenses in their eyes get harder and less flexible, making it difficult to read small print or see objects up close. Monovision helps treat presbyopia by correcting one eye for far vision and the other eye for close-up vision. This reduces or eliminates the need for readers.
Cosmetic contact lenses
Cosmetic contact lenses, also known as costume or colored contact lenses, can be worn for dramatic or subtle eye color changes. They can be customized with your prescription for contact lenses. But even without vision correction, you still need an eye exam and prescription to purchase cosmetic contact lenses.
For more information about contact lenses, don’t hesitate to speak to our dedicated eye care team. Contact us today to schedule an appointment or book an exam online.