Do you have a special eye condition, but want contact lenses? Dr. Inna Lazar of Greenwich Eye Care in Old Greenwich is here to help. Keep reading for more information about hard to fit contacts.
What Are Hard to Fit Contacts?
Hard to fit contacts are special contacts for wearers with specific eye conditions that make it uncomfortable to wear regular contact lenses. Many people with these conditions may think that eyeglasses are the only option for them, but this is not true.
Conditions for Hard to Fit Contacts
Conditions that qualify for hard to fit contacts include:
- Giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC)
- Astigmatism
- Presbyopia
- Dry eyes
- Keratoconus
Giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC) is a type of conjunctivitis where the inner part of the eyelid becomes inflamed. GPC can become worse when protein builds up on contact lenses.
Astigmatism is a type of refractive vision error caused by abnormal corneas or lenses. Astigmatism causes blurry vision and is hard to correct with regular contacts.
Presbyopia occurs as people get older. This condition makes people have a harder time focusing on items that are near them. It generally only affects people that are 40 and older.
Dry eyes happen when the eyes become too dry. Redness, irritation, blurry vision, and burning are all caused by dry eyes. Regular contacts can make these symptoms worse.
Keratoconus is a condition that causes a person's corneas to thin. This causes the eyes to bulge into a cone shape.
Types of Contact Lens
There are several types of hard to fit contacts that help people with the above conditions wear contact lens comfortably. Gas permeable lenses, multifocal, bifocal, and toric lenses are all hard to fit contacts designed for people with the above conditions.
Gas permeable lenses prevent excess protein from buildup. These lenses are great for patients with GPC or keratoconus. People with keratoconus will like that these contacts relieve pressure and keep bulging corneas in place.
Toric lenses help with astigmatism by not rotating to correct the bulge in the eye. These contact lens cost more and take longer to make since they are custom-fitted.
Symptoms from presbyopia can be improved with bifocal and multifocal lenses. Monolenses can also help with this condition.
Our optometrist will be happy to discuss these options further with you during an eye appointment.
Old Greenwich Optometrist
Make an appointment at your earliest convenience to get fitted for contacts. You can visit us at Greenwich Eye Care at 13 Arcadia Road, Suite 18, Old Greenwich, CT 06870. You can also make an appointment over the phone by calling us at (203) 698-5049.