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Receiving a keratoconus diagnosis can provide answers, but it also raises significant concerns about the future of your vision. For most keratoconus patients, disposable soft contact lenses gradually stop providing effective vision correction. Because keratoconus causes the cornea to become thin and bulge outward, it creates an irregular shape. Soft contact lenses conform to this uneven surface and are unable to properly correct the irregular astigmatism. This prevents light from focusing clearly on the retina, leading to blurred and unstable vision even with glasses or soft lenses.
ortunately, patients with keratoconus are not limited to standard lenses; specialty contact lenses can restore clearer, more comfortable vision. Technology has enabled keratoconus patients to achieve clear vision without invasive surgery. Using specialized lenses, we can manage the condition and improve comfort for patients who previously struggled with traditional corrective methods. Specialized lenses often provide even better vision than glasses or soft lenses can.
Why Soft Contact Lenses Often Don’t Work for Keratoconus
In keratoconus, the cornea becomes thin and uneven, creating a cone-like shape. Soft contact lenses follow this irregular surface instead of correcting it. Because of this, they cannot create the smooth optical surface needed for clear vision.
As a result, light scatters rather than focusing sharply on the retina, leading to blurred vision, ghosting, glare, and visual fluctuations. As keratoconus progresses, soft lenses may also become unstable and shift on the eye, causing frequent changes in vision and discomfort.
This is why many patients with keratoconus require specialty contact lenses designed specifically to provide more stable, clearer vision.
The Power of Rigid Gas Permeable Lenses
When soft lenses no longer provide stability or clarity, rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses can make a profound difference. Unlike soft lenses, RGP lenses are made from a firm polymer that maintains its shape regardless of the corneal shape. The rigidity of RGP lenses is the key to successful vision correction. When placed on an irregular cornea, rigid contact lenses create a new, perfectly smooth surface for light to reach the retina unimpeded.
Using rigid gas-permeable lenses for keratoconus provides clear, sharp vision that is far superior to traditional methods. Because RGP lenses create a uniform surface, they eliminate the ghosting and double vision caused by light scattering across irregular corneas. While there is an adaptation period, the benefits of consistent wear outweigh the minor initial irritation.
Scleral Lenses for Optimal Comfort and Clarity
For many patients, the ideal solution for keratoconus is scleral lenses. These large-diameter rigid lenses are designed to vault over the entire corneal surface. Instead of resting on the irregular cornea, scleral lenses for keratoconus rest on the sclera, which is less sensitive. By avoiding the cornea altogether, there is no friction or irritation on the most delicate part of the eye. Scleral lenses are particularly beneficial for those with easily irritated and sensitive eyes.
Before insertion, the space between the back surface of the scleral lens and the cornea is filled with sterile saline. This fluid reservoir continuously bathes the eye, helping maintain hydration throughout the day while creating a smooth, uniform optical surface.
Scleral lenses are especially beneficial for patients with corneal irregularities that are too advanced for traditional small rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses. By vaulting over the irregular cornea instead of resting on it, scleral lenses provide stable, clear vision and improved comfort.
For many patients who have struggled with other forms of vision correction, scleral lenses can be truly life-changing.
Professional Customization and Monitoring
Keratoconus affects every eye differently, which means there is no single solution that works for everyone. Fitting specialty contact lenses such as RGP or scleral lenses requires a highly individualized approach using advanced imaging of the cornea.
These detailed measurements allow your doctor to design a lens that is tailored specifically to the shape and needs of your eye, rather than forcing your eye to adapt to a standard lens. Because of this customization, specialty lenses can provide levels of comfort and vision that are not possible with conventional contact lenses.
Regular follow-up visits are an essential part of managing keratoconus, not because the condition is ignored, but because it is closely monitored and treated. When appropriate, patients are referred for corneal cross-linking (CXL) to help stabilize the cornea and slow or stop progression.
As the cornea changes, contact lens designs may need to be adjusted to maintain optimal comfort and vision. Ongoing care allows your doctor to ensure that both the health of the cornea and the quality of your vision are addressed at every stage.
With today’s treatment options and specialty lens technology, patients with keratoconus do not need to simply “live with” poor vision.
Expert Eye Care in Weston, FL
If you’ve been diagnosed with keratoconus and are struggling with your vision, a personalized evaluation can help clarify your options. At Weston Contact Lens Institute, we focus on thoughtful, individualized care; combining specialty contact lenses, close monitoring, and referral for corneal cross-linking when appropriate.
Our goal is to help you achieve the clearest, most comfortable vision possible while supporting the long-term health of your eyes. If you have questions about specialty contact lenses for keratoconus or would like to schedule a consultation, we’re here to help.
