How Are Specialty Contacts Different from Regular Lenses?

Contact lenses are a convenient and effective way to correct vision, but not all lenses are created equal. For many people, regular soft or rigid lenses provide the clarity and comfort they need. However, some patients require something more customized - this is where specialty contact lenses come in.

What Are Regular Contact Lenses?

Regular contact lenses are typically designed for patients with common vision issues like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and mild astigmatism. These lenses are available in a variety of types - daily, bi-weekly, or monthly disposables - and provide a simple solution for most vision correction needs. While they work well for many, standard lenses may not provide adequate comfort or clarity for patients with more complex eye conditions.

What Makes Specialty Contacts Different?

Specialty lenses are custom-designed to fit unique vision and eye health needs that regular lenses cannot address. They use advanced designs, materials, and fitting techniques to provide sharper vision and enhanced comfort for patients who may have struggled with traditional lenses.

Types of Specialty Lenses

• Scleral Lenses: Larger lenses that vault over the cornea and rest on the white part of the eye (the sclera). They are ideal for patients with irregular corneas, keratoconus, or severe dry eye.

• Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Lenses: Smaller, durable lenses that provide crisp vision, especially for patients with high astigmatism or corneal irregularities.

• Hybrid Lenses: Combine the clear vision of RGP lenses with the comfort of soft lenses by having a rigid center and a soft outer skirt.

• Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) Lenses: Special lenses worn overnight to gently reshape the cornea and temporarily correct nearsightedness, reducing or eliminating the need for daytime lenses or glasses.

Benefits of Specialty Lenses

• Improved vision for patients with irregular corneal shapes or high prescriptions.

• Greater comfort for individuals with chronic dry eye.

• More treatment options for conditions like keratoconus, corneal scars, or post-surgical complications.

• The possibility of slowing myopia progression in children with certain designs, such as Ortho-K.

Are Specialty Contacts Right for You?

If you’ve struggled with blurry vision, discomfort, or poor fit from regular lenses, specialty contacts may be the solution. They require expert fitting and follow-up care to ensure the best results, which is why it’s important to work with an experienced eye care provider.

Discover Your Perfect Lens Fit at Oshawa Eye Care

Specialty contact lenses go beyond standard vision correction. They are designed to help patients with unique eye conditions achieve sharper vision and greater comfort where regular lenses fall short. We offer a full range of specialty lens options tailored to your specific needs.

If you’re ready to explore whether specialty contacts are right for you, schedule a eye exam with Oshawa Eye Care to find the lenses that provide the clarity and comfort you deserve. Visit our office in Oshawa, Peterborough, or Bramptom, Ontario. Please call (905) 723-3937, (705) 760-9402 or (647) 348-9926 to book an appointment today.