Scleral Contact Lenses
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Scleral Contact Lenses are a proven, safe, non-surgical alternative to corneal
transplants and Intacts.
Over 80% success with good comfortable vision and they provide a
non-surgical solution for the following conditions.
Please take advantage of
our "FREE", no obligation, scleral lens evaluation by calling
303-651-2020.
Dr. Forrest has fit almost 200 eyes in these lenses. Often paid for by
VSP and other insurances. |
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Corneal Ectasia / Post LASIK and RK
Corneal ectasia is a condition resembling keratoconus but comes from a different origin. Almost invariably the cause is refractive eye surgery, specifically LASIK. After LASIK, the cornea has been made thinner. Because the corneal "wall" has been made thinner, internal pressure from within the eye can cause expansion or distension of the cornea.
The resultant distorted corneal surface will usually make it impossible to have clear vision with eyeglasses or soft contact lenses. Most of the time, a special gas permeable contact or
scleral contact lens will be needed to restore lost vision. These special high tech lenses (which have only recently become available) will act to create a new corneal surface allowing the patient to regain clear, comfortable vision. Fortunately, risk factors that can be looked at before LASIK surgery have reduced Ectasia a great deal.
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Keratoconus
Keratoconus is a degenerative condition that progressively thins an area of the cornea causing a bulging or "cone" shape in the thinned area. The cornea is the front clear window of the eye were a normal contact lens rides. The cornea is normally smooth and round like a dome in shape, however in Keratoconus, the cornea becomes very thin, irregular, and starts to protrude like a cone. This protruding cone shape affects the central cornea and causes the vision to become distorted.
Eyeglasses may be used to treat the problem only in the early stages of the disease. Glasses will not provide good vision as the disease progresses.
Rigid gas permeable contacts, however, will provide superior vision correction and are certainly the preferred treatment in moderate to severe cases. The contact lens acts as a new regular shaped clear front surface of the eye to focus light onto the retina. As Keratoconus progresses, the tip of the cone continues to thin and sometimes scars. If the cornea becomes too thin and pointed or if the contacts are too uncomfortable a
scleral contact lens can be a great option.
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Pellucid Marginal Degeneration
Pellucid Marginal Degeneration is a sub-category of keratoconus. This condition typically affects both eyes although one eye is usually a bit worse than the other eye. It also tends to appear between the ages of 20 and 40. The main difference between Pellucid Marginal Degeneration and Keratoconus is that the cornea thins in the area from the center of the pupil all the way down to the bottom of the cornea. Due to this large area of thinning pellucid corneas involve a larger distorted geographic area usually extending from the inferior corneal margins up to the center of the cornea.
It is not unusual for 50% or more of the corneal surface to be involved. Because so much of the cornea can be affected, fitting this type of cornea can be very challenging. The problem we face as eye care practitioners is fitting the steep areas of the cornea without adversely affecting the flatter areas. All this must be accomplished while providing clear and stable vision along with a comfortable contact lens to wear.
Although Pellucid Marginal Degeneration can have an enormously negative impact on vision, and glasses often do not correct the visual distortions very well, a
scleral contact lens modality can frequently restore vision to a very acceptable level with great comfort.
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Corneal Transplant Surgery
Scleral contact lenses can provide a safe, comfortable alternative so you can avoid the traumatic 12 month ordeal of a corneal transplant.
Many keratoconus patients fear that their keratoconus will keep on progressing causing further vision loss or ultimately corneal transplant surgery. This is not necessarily true. There have been many new advances in contact lenses /
scleral contact lens technology. This has allowed the overwhelming majority of keratoconus (ectasia, pellucid marginal degeneration) patients to wear these specialty lenses safely, comfortably and with good to excellent vision for almost all of their waking hours.
Please understand that for the overwhelming majority of keratoconus patients, the active progressive stage of this disease seldom exceeds 5 years. I have seen many keratoconus patients over a 30 year period that have virtually little or no change in the status of their corneas.
Corneal transplant surgery is not without risk. Infection and/or rejection of the graft can occur. In addition, the long term use of anti-inflammatory drugs used after this surgery can have undesirable side effects. The great majority of the post-corneal transplant patients whom we have seen over the years have had irregularly curved corneas which required the use of
scleral contact lenses to restore useful vision. The fitting of a contact lens on a transplanted cornea can be even more challenging than on a keratoconic cornea, but it can be done.
To sum up, everything should be done to avoid a corneal transplant, but there are still people who need this surgery or have already had it, and they can be very successful. Every year, new materials and technologies are appearing to make it easier for the keratoconus patient to be fit so as to allow better vision and comfort while maintaining ocular health.
Please take advantageof our "FREE", no obligation, scleral lens evaluation by calling 303-651-2020. Dr.Forrest has fit almost 200 eyes in these lenses. Often paid for by VSP and other insurances.
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Testimonials
SynergEyes Contact Lenses-Hybird
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SynergEyes contact lenses contact lenses deliver the crisp
vision of a rigid lens plus the all-day comfort of soft lens. SynergEyes
combines two types of contact lens materials- a rigid gas permeable
center and soft hydrophilic outer skirt- into one unique "hybird" lens.
The rigid center provides high oxygen transmissibility for healthy eyes
and clear, sharp vision... even at night. And the soft skirt surrounding
the center gives you all-day comfort of soft lens. |
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Kerasoft IC
Kerasoft IC contact lenses are made of highly oxygen permeable polymer. They are unique in their design in that they are custom fit for you personally. Kerasoft IC lenses may be used to correct a number of disorders such as keratoconus, corneal ectasia, neurotrophic keratitis as well as surgical complication and injuries to the eyes.
These are customized lenses and our fitting program requires a series of progress visits to evaluate the physiological adaptation of your eyes to your contact lenses and insure the best vision and eye health possible.
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Corneal Refractive Therapy
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Corneal Refractive Therapy (CRT) is a remarkable
new advancement that provides an alternative for LASIK to patients who
qualify. CRT allows you to see clearly during the day without glasses or
contact lenses. Specially designed therapeutic lenses gently reshape the
front surface of your eye while you are sleeping.
Imagine great vision all day without contact lenses, glasses or surgery!
Nor more problems from dust, allergies or dryness. No more worry about
broken frames or torn contact lenses. |
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CRT offers a non-surgical solution to many patients
whose prescription is within the range for this great alternative. CRT
has also been shown to slow the progression of nearsightedness in
children and teenagers if started early enough.
After years of experimentation, this new option has become a reality.
Modern materials that provide enough oxygen to your eyes can be worn
while you are sleeping. The lenses are custom made for the unique shape
of your eyes, using technology that maps the front surface of your eyes.
In as little as a few days you could be seeing without glasses or
contact lenses being worn during the day! Yes, it really is amazing!
Additionally, while LASIK has been approved only for those over 18 years
of age, CRT is ideal for our younger patients who are active in sports
and do not like the hassle of glasses or contact lenses. Since CRT is
not available for all prescriptions, we can help make that determination
during a routine eye examination. Please call us if you would like
further information or to schedule a consultation. You may also get more
information and FAQs at the manufacturers website: www.paragoncrt.com
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