Every patient is different—so are their eyes. While many people do well with standard soft contact lenses, some have corneal conditions, ocular surface issues, or structural differences that make traditional contacts uncomfortable or ineffective. Specialty contact lenses are designed to meet these unique needs, offering clearer vision and greater comfort for patients who require a more customized solution.
Below, we explore the types of specialty lenses available and who may benefit from them.
Who Might Be a Good Candidate for Specialty Contact Lenses?
Specialty lenses are often recommended for patients with specific eye conditions or anatomical differences. You may benefit from specialty lenses if you:
- Have been diagnosed with dry eye syndrome
- Have corneal scarring
- Have keratoconus (a condition where the cornea bulges outward)
- Suffer from strabismus (eye misalignment)
- Have experienced an eye injury
- Have a peripheral corneal thinning disorder
- Are intolerant to other types of contact lenses
Your eye doctor will evaluate your eye health, corneal shape, and visual needs to determine which specialty lens design is the best option for you.
Types of Specialty Contact Lenses
Rigid Gas-Permeable (RGP) Lenses
Rigid gas-permeable lenses (RGPs) are made from oxygen-permeable materials that allow the cornea to breathe. This helps keep eyes hydrated and comfortable—especially for patients with dry eye.
RGP lenses are more rigid than soft lenses, helping them stay stable on the eye and providing sharper vision. They also help the cornea maintain its shape, making them a good fit for certain corneal irregularities.
Scleral Contact Lenses
Scleral lenses are significantly larger than standard contacts. Instead of resting on the cornea, they vault over it, landing on the sclera (the white part of the eye). This design creates a fluid reservoir between the lens and the cornea.
This makes scleral lenses an excellent choice for:
- Dry eye syndrome (the fluid layer helps maintain moisture)
- Keratoconus (the vaulted space accommodates the bulging cornea)
- Other corneal abnormalities or irregular corneas
Scleral lenses come in several diameters so your doctor can select the size that best fits your eye’s anatomy.
Limbal Fit Contact Lenses
Limbal lenses fall between rigid gas-permeable and scleral lenses in size. Their larger diameter provides increased surface stability and minimal eyelid interaction, improving comfort and visual clarity.
Hybrid Contact Lenses
Hybrid lenses combine the best features of both soft and rigid gas-permeable lenses. The center is made of a rigid, oxygen-permeable material for sharp vision and stability, while the outer “skirt” is soft for comfort.
Benefits of hybrid lenses include:
- Sharper vision than many soft lenses
- Improved comfort compared to rigid lenses
- A tear film reservoir that helps maintain hydration
- A secure but comfortable fit for irregular corneas
Patients who want the clarity of RGPs but the comfort of soft lenses often do very well with hybrid options.
Find the Right Specialty Lenses for Your Eyes
Not every eye is compatible with standard contacts—but with specialty contact lenses, many patients can enjoy comfortable, clear vision once again. If you believe you may be a candidate for specialty lenses, our experienced eye care team is here to help.
Request an appointment today to learn more about your options.
