As experienced eye doctors, we see patients every day who struggle with standard contact lenses. While many people can wear regular contacts without issues, others require specialized solutions due to their unique eye conditions or vision needs. That’s where hard to fit contact lenses come into play.
We understand the frustration that comes with unsuccessful contact lens wear. In our practice, we specialize in helping patients who have been told they can’t wear contacts find comfortable, effective solutions through advanced lens technology and expert fitting techniques.
Understanding Hard to Fit Contacts
Understanding Hard to Fit ContactsHard to fit contacts are specialized contact lenses designed for patients who cannot achieve clear, comfortable vision with standard contact lenses. These custom-fitted lenses are precisely engineered to address specific eye conditions, irregular corneal shapes, and complex vision prescriptions that traditional contacts can’t correct. We work closely with advanced lens manufacturers to create personalized solutions for each patient’s unique visual needs.
Several factors can make contact lens fitting particularly challenging, requiring specialized expertise and advanced lens designs. When we evaluate patients for hard to fit contacts, we consider multiple aspects of their eye health and vision needs.
- Corneal Irregularities – The cornea’s shape significantly impacts contact lens fit. Conditions like keratoconus create irregular corneal surfaces that standard lenses can’t properly conform to or correct.
- Complex Prescriptions – High amounts of astigmatism or significant differences between eyes often require specialized lens designs to achieve optimal vision correction.
- Eye Health Conditions – Dry eye syndrome, giant papillary conjunctivitis, and other ocular surface conditions can make standard contact lens wear uncomfortable or impossible.
- Previous Eye Surgery – Procedures like LASIK, corneal transplants, or cataract surgery can alter the eye’s surface, necessitating custom lens solutions.
Types of Hard to Fit Contacts
- Rigid Gas Permeable Lenses: These durable lenses maintain their shape on the eye, providing excellent vision correction for irregular corneas and high astigmatism.
- Custom Soft Toric Lenses: Specially designed for astigmatism, these lenses feature unique stabilization systems and precise power corrections in multiple meridians.
- Scleral Lenses: Large-diameter lenses that vault over the cornea, providing exceptional comfort and vision for severely irregular corneas and dry eyes.
- Hybrid Lenses: Combining a rigid center with a soft outer skirt, these lenses offer both the clarity of RGP lenses and the comfort of soft lenses.
- Prosthetic Lenses: Custom-designed lenses that address both functional and cosmetic concerns for patients with eye injuries or congenital conditions.
Common Eye Conditions Requiring Specialized Lenses
Keratoconus
Keratoconus is a progressive condition where the cornea thins and bulges outward into a cone shape. This irregular corneal surface creates significant vision distortion that glasses and standard contacts cannot adequately correct.
Why Keratoconus Requires Hard to Fit Contacts:
- Standard lenses cannot conform to the irregular corneal shape
- Vision correction needs adjustments as the condition progresses
- The cornea requires protection from mechanical stress
- Special lens designs help prevent corneal scarring
High Astigmatism
Astigmatism occurs when the cornea or lens has an irregular curve, causing light to focus on multiple points rather than a single point on the retina. When astigmatism is severe, standard toric lenses may not provide adequate correction.
Why High Astigmatism Requires Hard to Fit Contacts:
- Regular toric lenses may not stay properly aligned
- Multiple power meridians need precise correction
- Vision quality can vary with lens rotation
- Complex prescriptions require specialized lens designs
Post-Surgical Eyes
Following eye surgery, the corneal surface often has unique characteristics that make standard contact lens fitting challenging. Whether after LASIK, PRK, or corneal transplant, these eyes require specialized attention.
Why Post-Surgical Eyes Require Hard to Fit Contacts:
- Altered corneal topography requires custom lens designs
- Healing tissue needs extra protection
- Residual refractive errors may be complex
- Standard lenses may not provide adequate oxygen transmission
Understanding the Fitting Process
When fitting hard to fit contacts, we begin with a comprehensive eye examination that goes beyond standard vision testing. Our team carefully evaluates your corneal shape, tear film quality, and overall eye health to understand the unique challenges we need to address. We also review your medical history, previous contact lens experiences, and lifestyle needs to determine the most appropriate lens options for your situation. This detailed assessment helps us create a customized fitting plan that addresses your specific vision requirements.
Advanced Measurements and Technology
- Corneal Topography Mapping: Using advanced digital imaging systems to create detailed 3D maps of your corneal surface, allowing us to identify even subtle irregularities that affect lens fit.
- Anterior Segment OCT Scanning: High-resolution cross-sectional imaging of your cornea helps us precisely measure the clearance needed for specialty lenses and evaluate how they interact with your eye’s surface.
- Digital Lens Design Software: Custom software that transforms your eye measurements into precise lens specifications, ensuring optimal fit and vision correction.
- Tear Film Analysis: Advanced diagnostic tools that evaluate the quality and quantity of your tears, helping us select materials and designs that maintain proper eye hydration.
- Wavefront Aberrometry: Technology that measures how light travels through your eye, allowing us to identify and correct complex vision irregularities that standard tests might miss.
Trial Period and Adjustments
The journey to successful hard to fit contacts often requires a period of testing and refinement. We work closely with you through this process, making necessary adjustments to achieve optimal comfort and vision. Your feedback during this phase is crucial for achieving the best possible outcome.
- Initial Fitting Session – We teach proper insertion, removal, and care techniques while evaluating the initial lens performance. This session typically takes 1-2 hours to ensure you’re comfortable with handling your new lenses.
- Follow-up Evaluations – Regular check-ups during the first few weeks allow us to assess how the lenses are performing and make any needed adjustments. We evaluate lens positioning, movement, and your eye’s response to the materials.
- Comfort Assessment – We track your wearing time and comfort levels throughout the day, making modifications to the lens design or material if needed. This may include adjusting edge profiles or changing solution recommendations.
- Vision Performance – Detailed testing under various lighting conditions and activities helps ensure your vision remains stable and clear throughout your daily activities. We can fine-tune the prescription as your eyes adapt to the new lenses.
- Long-term Success Plan – We develop a personalized schedule for future evaluations and lens replacements, ensuring your hard to fit contacts continue to provide optimal vision and comfort over time.
Living with Hard to Fit Contacts
As eye care professionals, we emphasize that successful wear of hard to fit contacts extends far beyond the initial fitting process. Regular check-ups and proper care routines are essential for maintaining eye health and ensuring your lenses continue to provide optimal vision correction. We’ve found that patients who follow recommended care protocols and attend scheduled follow-up visits experience fewer complications and achieve better long-term success with their specialty lenses.
Addressing Comfort Issues
- Adaptation Period Symptoms – Initial awareness of the lenses and mild discomfort are normal during the first few weeks. We guide you through this adjustment phase with specific wearing schedules and comfort-enhancing techniques.
- Dryness and Irritation – If you experience dry eye symptoms, we can recommend specialized lubricating drops compatible with your hard to fit contacts or adjust the lens material for better moisture retention.
- Environmental Challenges – Working in air-conditioned spaces or looking at digital screens can affect lens comfort. We provide strategies like the 20-20-20 rule and environmental modifications to maintain comfort throughout your day.
- Lens Awareness Issues – Some patients may experience edge awareness or foreign body sensations. We can modify the lens design or edge profile to improve comfort while maintaining proper fit.
- Vision Fluctuations – If you notice changes in vision clarity throughout the day, we can assess whether adjustments to the lens parameters or care routine are needed.
Maintenance Requirements
Proper care of hard to fit contacts is crucial for maintaining both comfort and eye health. Different lens types require specific care routines, and we ensure you understand exactly what your lenses need. Following these guidelines helps prevent complications and extends the life of your lenses.
- Daily Cleaning Protocol: Each type of specialty lens requires specific cleaning solutions and techniques. We provide detailed instructions for removing deposits and maintaining optimal lens performance.
- Solution Compatibility: Not all contact lens solutions work with specialty lenses. We recommend specific products tested for compatibility with your lens material and type.
- Storage Guidelines: Proper storage in fresh solution and clean cases helps prevent contamination. Cases should be replaced every three months, and solutions should never be topped off.
- Handling Procedures: We teach specific techniques for inserting and removing your hard to fit contacts safely. Proper handling prevents damage to both the lenses and your eyes.
- Replacement Schedule: Different types of specialty lenses have varying replacement schedules. We create a personalized replacement timeline based on your lens type and wearing patterns.
- Emergency Care Instructions: We provide clear guidelines for handling common issues like torn lenses or red eyes, including when to contact our office immediately.
Are hard to fit contacts right for you?
As experienced eye doctors, we understand that choosing the right contact lenses is a significant decision that impacts your daily life. While hard to fit contacts can be life-changing for many patients, they’re not the ideal solution for everyone. We take a comprehensive approach to evaluate each patient’s unique needs, considering factors like eye health, lifestyle demands, and vision requirements before recommending specialty lenses. Our expertise helps ensure you make an informed decision about your vision correction options.
Contraindications
- Active Eye Infections Any type of eye infection must be fully resolved before starting contact lens wear. We carefully evaluate your eye health to ensure it’s safe to proceed with fitting.
- Severe Dry Eye Disease While some specialty lenses can help manage dry eye symptoms, severe cases may need treatment before contact lens wear can be considered. We assess tear film quality and quantity to determine candidacy.
- Uncontrolled Systemic Conditions Diabetes and autoimmune conditions that aren’t well-managed can affect eye health and contact lens tolerance. These conditions need to be stable before fitting specialty lenses.
- Poor Manual Dexterity Handling hard to fit contacts requires precise finger movements and good coordination. Some medical conditions or age-related issues may make proper lens handling difficult.
Other Types of Contacts vs. Hard to Fit Contacts
Understanding the differences between standard contact lenses and hard to fit contacts helps you make an informed decision about your vision correction options. While traditional contacts work well for many people, specialized lenses offer unique advantages for complex vision needs.
- Standard Soft Lenses: These lenses work well for basic vision correction but can’t address irregular corneas or complex prescriptions. They offer limited customization options compared to specialty lenses.
- Traditional Toric Lenses: While they correct mild to moderate astigmatism, they may not provide stable vision for high amounts of astigmatism that hard to fit contacts can address.
- Disposable Contacts: These convenient options don’t offer the same level of customization or vision correction capabilities as specialty hard to fit contacts.
- Hybrid Options: Some patients may benefit from newer hybrid designs that combine features of both soft and hard lenses, offering a middle ground between standard and specialty options.
Conclusion
As your dedicated eye care team, we’re committed to helping you find the perfect vision solution, whether that involves hard to fit contacts or other correction options. Our extensive experience with specialty contact lenses allows us to address even the most challenging vision needs with precision and care.
Visit San Dimas Optometry to explore your contact lens options with our expert team. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest eye care tips and updates, and check out our reviews on Yelp to see why patients trust us with their specialty contact lens needs. Schedule your consultation today to begin your journey toward clearer vision.
