Specialty Contact Lenses
Specialty contact lenses are life changing.
Dr. Cerenzie wears custom scleral contact lenses to help improve the vision quality/comfort changes related to her keratoconus. She enjoys the opportunity to design various types of specialty contact lenses to help improve the lives of others, knowing first-hand how impactful specialty contact lenses can be.
Scleral Contact Lenses
- Scleral contact lenses come in many shapes and sizes. They are large diameter gas-permeable (“hard”) lenses, which may sound intimidating; however, scleral contact lenses are designed to vault over the cornea (the sensitive part of the eye) and land on the white part of the eye. Because of this design, they are VERY comfortable. If scleral lenses are uncomfortable, then either the design needs to be adjusted or the patient may have dry eye syndrome, which must be addressed.
- Scleral contact lenses allow eyes that are unable to see with glasses and soft contact lenses to have the best vision possible. Often, patients can obtain 20/20 vision or better!
- Scleral contact lenses will be designed based on data obtained from our advanced technology called the Pentacam AXL Wave. The Pentacam measures the corneal and scleral shape which obtains millions of data points for each eye. This results in the ultimate customization of a lens. With this customization, no two lenses are remotely the same.
EyePrintPro & EyeFitPro
- EyePrintPro and EyeFitPro are contact lenses that are designed based on a mold performed in office.
- These contact lenses are great options for patients that have a poor fit or comfort in traditional scleral contact lenses.
- Typically, EyePrintPro and EyeFitPro are great options for patients with glaucoma procedures, such as blebs or tube shunts, corneal transplants, or significant corneal irregularities from keratoconus or other corneal surgeries.
Orthokeratology
- Want the freedom from daytime contact lenses and glasses? Orthokeratology is a great option to allow clear vision during the day by wearing a custom contact “retainer” lens at night. These lenses work like braces for the teeth, correcting vision overnight. Like a retainer, this lens must be worn nightly to retain great vision throughout the day.
- Orthokeratology is great option for clear vision during the day, without LASIK or other eye surgery!
- Often, patients may not be a candidate for LASIK or PRK because the prescription continues to change. With orthokeratology, this is no problem. The lens can continue to be adjusted to allow for clear vision every year.
Custom Soft Contact Lenses
- When off-the-shelf contact lenses are not providing adequate vision or comfort, custom contact lenses are a great option! There are no limit to the parameters offered with custom soft contact lenses.
- There are soft contact lenses designed for patients with keratoconus, as well!
Gas-permeable Contact Lenses
- Gas-permeable corneal contact lenses (GPs) are a great option for many people
- They are easy to insert and remove
- GPs are custom designed based on the shape of the cornea, called corneal topography
Prosthetic Contact Lenses
Prosthetic contact lenses offer a variety of benefits depending on a patient’s need
This is a patient that underwent extensive ocular surgeries secondary to a fungal infection (corneal transplant + lens and iris removal).
She was self-conscious of her appearance and missed the way her eyes looked prior to surgery.
With prosthetic lenses we were able to restore the appearance to match her unaffected eye.
Before
After
This is a patient that had a wire penetrate his eye and damage his cornea and iris. He experienced debilitating light sensitivity
even when indoors. With this prosthetic lens, he can now function great both in- and outdoors.
Expectations for Your Appointment as a Specialty Lens Patient
At your initial consultation, Dr. Cerenzie will perform the following:
Refraction
To assess the most up-to-
date prescription for back up
glasses
Often patients are told that glasses “do not work” for them. Dr. Cerenzie will spend additional time demonstrating prescription options with trial frames (frames where temporary lenses can be inserted, to evaluate vision/ comfort with a particular prescription). Back up glasses are important to have as back ups when patients are unable to wear their contact lenses.
Often patients are told that glasses “do not work” for them. Dr. Cerenzie will spend additional time demonstrating prescription options with trial frames (frames where temporary lenses can be inserted, to evaluate vision/ comfort with a particular prescription). Back up glasses are important to have as back ups when patients are unable to wear their contact lenses.
Ocular Health Exam
To evaluate ocular health and
candidacy for various specialty
contact lens options. The front and inside of the eye will be
examined thoroughly.
Dr. Cerenzie will determine the best type of specialty contact lens based on an assessment of the unique shape, the prescription, and the health status of the eye
Dr. Cerenzie will determine the best type of specialty contact lens based on an assessment of the unique shape, the prescription, and the health status of the eye
Topography
To evaluate the unique shape
of the cornea and sclera. This is an essential measurement to assure precise vision and optical
performance of a contact lens,
as well as customize the fit for
optimal comfort.
Meibography
All contact lens wearers will have
their meibomian glands
evaluated (important glands to
help keep contact lenses
hydrated and comfortable),
as well as basic tests to assess for
dry eye syndrome