Hard to fit contact lenses

Published on
April 14, 2022

It is possible that some patients may not be good candidates for conventional contact lenses if they have unusually-shaped corneas. However, the great thing about this is there are so many different options available for hard to fit types of patients. If you have an irregularly shaped cornea, your regular glasses or even a standard contact lens may not provide you with the best vision. Dr. Pinkhasov has seen patients with vision acuity of 20/40 who were unable to be corrected by glasses. After she fitted them with gas permeable lenses, their vision improved to 20/20, which was incredible.

What are “hard to fit” contact lenses?

Contact lenses such as these are considered medically necessary. An eye doctor that specializes in contact lenses creates these specialty contact lenses based on parameters of a patient's cornea, such that it allows them to see clearly. It is amazing how these lenses provide such sharp vision. 

One of the potential downsides of specialty contact lenses is that they are not always as comfortable as other contact lens modalities, luckily there are designs that provide the improved visual acuity without discomfort. 

Medically necessary contact lenses options

  • Piggybacking: The piggyback design of contact lenses is to put soft contact lenses over your cornea before putting a hard lenses on so that it creates a barrier between your cornea and the hard lenses, so that every time you blink, it is less painful because there are soft contact lens in between .
  • Hybrid contact lenses: Another option is hybrid contact lenses. This means there are still rigid gas permeable lenses in the center, but then the outside of those contact lenses is constructed from a softer material so that it is more comfortable for the patient.
  • Gas Permeable Lenses: Gas permeable lenses are rigid, which makes them an excellent choice for correcting vision even in cases of irregularly shaped eyeballs. However, they often require time to get used to, and some individuals may find them difficult to adapt to.
  • Scleral Contact Lenses:  Designed to vault over the whole corneal surface, these lenses rest on the sclera (the white part of the eye), completely replacing an irregularly shaped cornea with a smoother surface to correct vision problems. As they rest on a less sensitive part of the eye (the white part called the sclera), they are more comfortable than standard gas permeable lenses. Another benefit of the Scleral lens design is that they are much wider and therefore do not move around which reduces discomfort. Furthermore they have a pocket for saline, which makes these lenses the ideal solution for someone with an irregular cornea who also suffers from dry eye.

Find the best options for your hard to fit eyes at our Manhattan eye care center

Many different options are available for hard to fit eyes, but it may require patients to visit the doctor's office more often to make sure that they are getting the best fit for them. Schedule a contact lens exam at our Manhattan optometry office today to find out which specialty contact lenses are right for you. Call us at (212) 752-6930 to schedule a contact lens exam. 

Testimonials


At Amplify with Dr Wernick I was seeking help for seemingly intractable, probably age-related dryness. I've seen other doctors about it, and that has been helpful, but what he explained to me about it and the careful way he answered all my questions gave me so much more of a clear understanding of what is going on (and is not) that I am more able to implement all his and others' recommendations than I was before. And he gave me additional resources for further follow-up. I am most grateful.


Cynthia Norton

Wow! This is a great Eye Care medical facility. I was thoroughly examined by Dr. Pinkhasov for over 2 hours. She made sure to check my eyes for pretty much everything and patiently explained proper care for my eyes. They definitely know how to provide great care and treat their patients right. Now I know why they have such a great reputation and been around for so long.


Steve Fay

Dr. Kavner is a gifted diagnostician and orthoptic therapist. He treated me several decades ago for a condition similar to dyslexia. I was having migraines five times per week. I worked with him for about a year and I experienced tremendous improvement (down to 3-4 per year) that has lasted.


Mary K.

Dr. Kavner recommended two types of eye therapy for my daughter. One of them using bio-feedback. In just three sessions she is seeing considerably better. She shouted this morning: Ooh my God! I could not see these letters with my glasses on, and now I can see them without my glasses. If you are willing and able to invest in improving your vision, this is a good place to go to!


Peter G.

Dr. Kavner recommended two types of eye therapy for my daughter. One of them using bio-feedback. In just three sessions she is seeing considerably better. She shouted this morning: Ooh my God! I could not see these letters with my glasses on, and now I can see them without my glasses. If you are willing and able to invest in improving your vision, this is a good place to go to!


Kinkie F.

I have always found Dr Kavner's work, expertise and wisdom of the highest caliber. As one of the fathers of OT, occupational othomology, his depth and breadth of knowledge about the eyes' health and wellbeing of the patient is exemplary. Cannot say enough good things about him.


Allen B.
1 2 3

Blog

close-up-of-an-adult-man-checking-eye-redness-in-f-HQYT3EJ

What Causes Bloodshot Eyes? Understanding the Causes and Treatments

Bloodshot eyes can be alarming, but they are not always a cause for concern. In this blog, we will discuss […]

Read More
toa-heftiba-Dcv75sl0Rmo-unsplash

Understanding Dry Eyes: How our NYC Optometrist Tests for Dry Eyes

Do you often experience itchy, dry, irritated eyes? Are your eyes constantly red and burning? You might be suffering from […]

Read More
pexels-yaroslav-shuraev-5608541

Is Reading in the Dark Bad for Your Eyes?

Reading is a great way to relax and unwind after a long day. However, have you ever found yourself reading […]

Read More
see all blogs

Contact Us To Amplify Your EyeCare

Amplify EyeCare Manhattan Logo

Working Hours

Tuesday - Thursday
9:30am–5pm

Friday
9:30am–3pm

Saturday
9:30am–2pm

Sunday
Closed

Location
235 East 67th Street, Suite 201, New York, New York, 10065
Fax
(212) 759-2220
Website Accessibility Policy
Safety protocols page
privacy policy
Cancellation Policy
For Patients
appointment
Call Us
Referrals
Assessments
eyefile-adduserphone-handsetcalendar-fullarrow-uparrow-right linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram