Latest Development in Specialty Contact Lenses for Keratoconus and Post-Surgical Corneas

If so, then there are some things to consider before setting out to find a competent contact lens fitter.

For clarity, a “specialty contact lens,” is any contact lens that falls outside the parameters of a standard “off the rack” soft contact lens.

One of the most important things to remember is that the fitting of specialty contact lenses requires skill and experience. You need a contact lens fitter who specializes in fitting specialty lenses. When looking for an experienced fitter don’t be afraid to ask questions. Ask them how many specialty lenses they fit in a week, a month or a year. If they are fitting one or two a month or three or four a year, then you may be better off looking elsewhere. Granted we all have to learn, but do you really want to trust the health of your eyes and your vision to someone who is just learning.

When eyeglasses no longer correct your vision then, only a rigid gas permeable contact lens or a soft contact lens specifically designed for irregular corneas will provide the best corrected visual acuity.

Until early 2012 the only contact lens options for a patient with compromised corneas was to be fitted with rigid gas permeable lenses. But in the first quarter of 2012, the FDA approved a Kerasoft IC Soft Contact Lens manufactured by Bausch + Lomb, Inc. The Kerasoft IC lens had been successfully fit in Europe for several years before being approved the United States and Canada.

Initially twelve practitioners were chosen by Bausch + Lomb, Inc., to fit their newly introduced Kerasoft IC lens as a pre-market evaluation. Eye Physicians of Austin was one of the twelve practices in North America and Canada chosen to fit this remarkable new lens.

In March, 2012, we began fitting this wonderful lens. Patients love this new lens. It’s much more comfortable than a rigid gas permeable contact lens and it doesn’t pop out of the eye at inopportune times. In fact, the very first Kerasoft IC lens we fit was on a Division 1 College Football athlete with advanced Keratoconus. He needed such a high degree of correction that glasses were out of the question. After further evaluation by his Ophthalmologist, we decided to fit him in Kerasoft IC lenses and he’s never been happier. His vision is back to where it was with gas permeable lenses and the comfort and reliability of these lenses is so improved that he continued to play at the Division I level and has gone on to play football in the professional ranks.

To date, our contact lens fitter, Roger Manning, FCLSA, has fit close to one hundred patients with the Kerasoft IC lens, as well as other “specialty soft lenses” for Keratoconus and Post-Surgical corneas.

Not every patient is as great of a success story as our football player, but many patients are just as successful. The only way to determine if you are a candidate is to speak with one of our Ophthalmologists, as well as Mr. Manning.

The bottom line here is, whether you’ve just been diagnosed or you have been living with poor vision, and have heard too many times that this is “the best we can do,” then don’t be discouraged. Call us and let us discuss your individual situation. You may or may not be a candidate, but at least you can find out.