Beyond Regular Contacts: The Power of Specialty Lenses for Complex Prescriptions

For many people, standard soft contact lenses provide clear and comfortable vision. However, if you have a more complex prescription due to conditions like keratoconus, high astigmatism, or severe dry eye, specialty contact lenses may be the best solution. Specialty lenses offer advanced optical designs that go beyond traditional lenses, providing sharper vision and greater comfort for those with unique vision needs. At Downtown Vision, we specialize in fitting patients with custom lenses designed for their specific eye conditions.

 

Scleral Lenses

Scleral lenses are large-diameter gas-permeable lenses that vault over the cornea and rest on the sclera (the white part of the eye). Unlike regular soft lenses that sit directly on the cornea, scleral lenses create a fluid-filled reservoir between the lens and the eye, providing exceptional comfort and hydration.
 

Who Can Benefit from Scleral Lenses?

Scleral lenses are ideal for individuals with:

  • Keratoconus or irregular corneas

  • Severe dry eye syndrome

  • Post-surgical eyes, such as those who have undergone corneal transplants or LASIK

  • High astigmatism that isn’t corrected well with soft lenses


Because of their design, scleral lenses provide stable, clear vision while protecting the cornea from irritation.
 

Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Lenses

Rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses are smaller than scleral lenses and provide sharper vision than soft lenses due to their rigid structure. These lenses retain their shape on the eye, which helps neutralize irregularities in the cornea that can cause blurred vision.
 

Benefits of RGP Lenses:

  • Offer clearer and sharper vision compared to soft lenses

  • Correct high astigmatism and irregular corneal conditions

  • Allow more oxygen flow to the cornea, promoting eye health

  • More durable than soft lenses, lasting longer with proper care
     

Although RGP lenses require an adjustment period, many patients find that their superior clarity makes them well worth the effort.
 

Ortho-K Lenses

Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) lenses are designed to temporarily reshape the cornea overnight, providing clear vision throughout the day without the need for glasses or contact lenses. These specially designed RGP lenses are worn while sleeping and gently flatten the cornea, correcting refractive errors such as myopia (nearsightedness).
 

Why Choose Ortho-K?

  • Eliminates the need for daytime glasses or contact lenses

  • Provides a non-surgical alternative to LASIK

  • Can slow myopia progression in children and teens

  • Safe and reversible, making it a great option for those not ready for permanent correction
     

Ortho-K is especially beneficial for young patients whose nearsightedness is worsening, offering a proactive approach to managing vision changes.
 

Finding the Right Specialty Lens for You

Specialty contact lenses provide a customized solution for individuals with unique vision needs. Whether you have an irregular cornea, high astigmatism, or want to correct your vision overnight, scleral lenses, RGP lenses, and Ortho-K can offer better clarity, comfort, and long-term eye health compared to standard soft lenses.
 

If you’ve struggled with traditional lenses or need a customized solution for your vision, schedule a consultation with Downtown Vision to explore the best specialty lens option for your unique needs. Visit our office in Reno or Carson City, Nevada. Please call (775) 322-4061 or (775) 883-3977 to book an appointment today.