Specialty Contact Lenses at Brighton Eye Associates in Brighton CO
Standard contact lenses do not always work well for people with complex prescriptions, irregular corneas, or certain eye conditions. At Brighton Eye Associates, we provide specialty contact lens evaluations and fittings that are tailored to your unique vision needs in Brighton CO. Our team looks at your eye shape, comfort, and visual goals to recommend lenses that fit better and help you see more clearly and comfortably.
What are Specialty Contact Lenses and How They Differ From Standard Lenses in Brighton CO
Standard contact lenses help many people with common vision problems like nearsightedness or farsightedness. But if you have an unusual eye shape, a corneal condition, or a complex prescription, regular soft lenses might not work as well or may feel uncomfortable.
Specialty contact lenses are made for these more complex needs. They can use different materials, sizes, shapes, and fitting methods to help you see better and make wearing them more comfortable and stable.
Key differences may include:
- Customized design: Some specialty lenses are made using detailed measurements of your eyes, not just your prescription.
- Different materials: Some lenses use rigid, breathable materials that keep the lens surface smooth, helping you see more clearly.
- Unique sizes: Some lenses are bigger than regular contacts, while others are smaller and sit right on the cornea.
- Advanced fitting: We may use corneal mapping and other measurements to help choose the right lens for you.
These lenses can help if standard contacts move around too much, feel uncomfortable, or do not give you steady vision. The best lens design depends on your corneal health, tear quality, prescription, and daily vision needs. At Brighton Eye Associates, we consider all these factors to determine whether specialty contact lenses are a good choice for you.
Vision Conditions That May Benefit From Specialty Contact Lenses
Specialty contact lenses may help people whose vision cannot be corrected well with standard soft contacts or eyeglasses. They are often considered when the cornea has an irregular shape, the eye surface is sensitive, or a strong prescription creates fitting challenges.
Conditions that may benefit include:
- Keratoconus: The cornea becomes thinner and develops a cone-like shape, causing blurred or distorted vision.
- Irregular astigmatism: Uneven corneal curves may create vision problems that standard soft lenses cannot fully correct.
- Post-surgical changes: Corneal transplants or certain refractive surgeries can sometimes leave an irregular surface.
- Severe dry eye: Some specialty designs create a fluid-filled space over the cornea, which may support comfort in selected patients.
- High prescriptions: Strong nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism may require advanced lens options.
Types of Specialty Contact Lenses for Complex Vision Needs
Specialty contact lenses are available in several designs because complex vision problems affect each eye differently. The best option depends on corneal shape, prescription strength, tear quality, eye health, and lens movement.
Common types include:
- Scleral lenses: These large lenses rest on the white part of the eye and vault over the cornea. A fluid-filled space beneath the lens can support comfort and create a smoother optical surface.
- Rigid gas permeable lenses: Also called RGP or GP lenses, these smaller lenses keep their shape and may provide sharper vision for irregular corneas.
- Hybrid lenses: These combine a rigid center with a soft outer area to support clear vision and a softer wearing feel.
- Custom soft lenses: These may use special measurements for unusual prescriptions or eye shapes.
- Orthokeratology lenses: These rigid lenses are worn during sleep to temporarily reshape the cornea and reduce daytime dependence on glasses or contacts.
How Eye Shape and Corneal Health Guide Specialty Lens Selection
Picking the right specialty contact lens is about more than just your eyeglass prescription. The shape and health of your cornea play a big role in how a lens fits, moves, centers, and helps you see clearly. The cornea is the clear front part of your eye, and its shape is different for everyone. Conditions like keratoconus, corneal scarring, past surgeries, or irregular astigmatism can make the cornea uneven, so choosing the right lens design becomes even more important.
Eye doctors use special tools to measure the shape and surface of your cornea. Corneal topography, for example, creates a detailed map showing any steep, flat, or uneven spots that a regular vision test might miss. They also check your tear film, eyelids, eye surface, and the overall health of your cornea. All of this information helps them choose the right lens size, material, and shape to ensure your lenses feel comfortable and provide stable vision.
Next, your doctor may put a trial lens on your eye to see how it fits and moves. If the lens presses too much in one spot, moves around too much, or does not center well, adjustments can be made. At Brighton Eye Associates, we choose specialty lenses after a careful evaluation of your eyes and vision needs, so we can recommend the best option for your unique eye shape.
What to Expect During a Specialty Contact Lens Fitting
A specialty contact lens fitting is usually more detailed than a standard contact lens appointment. The doctor must understand the eye’s shape, surface condition, prescription, and response to different lens designs before making a final selection.
The process often begins with an eye examination and a discussion about symptoms, previous lens use, daily activities, and vision goals. Past eye surgery, corneal disease, dryness, or problems with regular contacts may also be reviewed.
The fitting process may include:
- Detailed measurements: The doctor checks corneal curves, prescription needs, pupil size, and other eye features.
- Corneal mapping: Advanced imaging may create a detailed picture of the corneal surface and identify irregular areas.
- Trial lens evaluation: A sample lens may be placed on the eye to check movement, position, and overall fit.
- Vision testing: The prescription may be adjusted while the trial lens is in place.
- Follow-up visits: Additional appointments may review comfort, vision, and eye health after regular wear begins.
Some patients achieve a suitable fit quickly, while others need several adjustments because complex eyes can respond differently to each design.
How Specialty Contact Lenses Can Improve Vision Quality and Daily Comfort
Specialty contact lenses can help with vision problems that regular contacts might not fix. For people with irregular corneas or complex prescriptions, these lenses can create a smoother corneal surface and help light focus more clearly.
You might notice improved vision if a standard soft lens cannot fully correct distortion caused by an uneven cornea. A rigid or specially designed lens keeps its shape, which can help reduce blur, ghost images, glare, or shifting vision for the right patients.
Comfort can also get better when the lens fits the eye more closely. Some larger specialty lenses sit on the white part of the eye rather than on a sensitive or irregular cornea, and a layer of fluid remains under the lens.
A more stable lens can help with activities that require steady vision, such as reading, driving, using a computer, or seeing details at different distances. Some people may also notice less lens movement compared to standard contacts that do not fit well.
How well these lenses work depends on your eye condition, lens type, prescription, and how your eyes respond. Specialty lenses may need careful fitting and follow-up visits, but they can offer real benefits when regular contacts are not enough.
Meet Your Doctor
Yessica Canas
Payment and Insurance
Our clinic is an out-of-network provider and does not bill insurance companies directly. This open-access approach allows patients to receive eye care without selecting an in-network provider. Payment is made directly to the clinic. If your insurance includes out-of-network benefits, you may be eligible for partial reimbursement upon submission of the required documents.
Set Up Your Appointment Now!
Find out if specialty contact lenses are right for your specific vision needs. Contact Brighton Eye Associates to schedule an evaluation and personalized fitting. Call us today or visit our office.
Contact Information:
Brighton Eye Associates
1001 E Bridge St Suite A
Phone: (303) 659-3036
