Hybrid Lenses for Keratoconus

Introduction to Hybrid Lenses for Keratoconus
Hybrid contact lenses, including popular options like SynergEyes and ClearKone, represent a significant advancement in keratoconus treatment. These lenses combine the best features of rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses and soft lenses, offering both clarity and comfort for keratoconus patients.

Benefits of Hybrid Lenses
Hybrid lenses feature a rigid center that corrects the distorted vision caused by the cone-shaped cornea typical of keratoconus, while the soft skirt around the lens provides all-day comfort and ease of adaptation. This design helps maintain the lens position, offering stable, crisp vision without the discomfort often associated with traditional RGP lenses.

How Hybrid Lenses Work
The central rigid portion of hybrid lenses corrects keratoconus by vaulting over the cornea and creating a uniform refractive surface, while the soft peripheral skirt holds the lens in place and reduces the risk of the lens dislodging. This combination minimizes the sensation of foreign objects in the eye and reduces the complications related to lens wear.

Customization and Fitting
Fitting hybrid lenses for keratoconus requires specialized knowledge and equipment. Each lens is custom-fitted based on detailed corneal topography to ensure it meets the individual’s specific needs for vision correction and comfort. Adjustments may be necessary over time to adapt to changes in the corneal shape due to the progression of keratoconus.

Long-term Use and Care
Hybrid lenses typically need to be replaced annually, and like all contact lenses, require proper care and regular cleaning to maintain eye health and lens performance. Patients should follow a care routine as advised by their eye care professional and attend regular follow-up appointments to assess the fit and condition of the lenses.

Hybrid lenses like SynergEyes and ClearKone offer an excellent treatment option for keratoconus patients, providing the visual clarity of RGP lenses with the comfort of soft lenses. They are particularly beneficial for patients who require better stability and comfort but want to avoid the complexities of purely rigid lenses or surgical interventions.

The Evolution of Contact Lens Technology

While Hybrid lenses are still a viable option for many, advancements in contact lens technology have introduced a variety of alternatives that cater to different needs and preferences. Today, keratoconus patients can choose from several innovative types of lenses, including:

• RGP Lenses: Rigid Gas Permeable lenses provide a durable, stable fit, maintaining shape on the eye to correct the irregular corneal surface of keratoconus, offering sharp, clear vision.
• Scleral Lenses: Larger in diameter than traditional contact lenses, scleral lenses vault over the cornea and rest on the sclera, providing excellent comfort and stable vision.
• PROSE Lenses: Customized prosthetic devices that help maintain a healthy ocular surface and improve vision.
• EyePrint PRO Lenses: Tailored specifically to the unique contours of the patient’s eye, offering a precise fit for those with highly irregular corneas.

Our Approach to Keratoconus Contact Lenses

At our practice, we focus on designing and prescribing highly customized contact lenses made specifically for keratoconus. Using these advanced lens options, the majority of our patients achieve corrected vision without the need for surgical procedures, such as corneal transplants or corneal implants (Intacs). We are also skilled in managing post-surgical vision challenges, helping those who have undergone such procedures but still face vision issues.

Keratoconus contact lenses aim to improve visual acuity (e.g., achieving 20/20 vision) and correct Higher Order Aberrations (HOAs). By addressing these complex visual defects, the lenses effectively reduce symptoms like glare, halos, ghosting, starbursts, and double vision, enhancing overall visual quality and precision

Choosing the Right Lens for You

Each type of lens offers unique benefits, and the best choice depends on individual factors like the severity of keratoconus, the shape of the cornea, and personal comfort preferences. During your consultation, we will conduct a comprehensive evaluation to determine the most effective lens type for your specific condition.

Our commitment is to empower you with clear, consistent vision and long-term eye health, enabling you to lead a normal, productive life. Schedule your appointment today to explore the best lens options for your keratoconus treatment.

Dr. Irwin Azman, and Dr. Benjamin Azman, Keratoconus Specialists, prescribe hybrid contact lenses for a variety of hard-to-fit eyes, including patients with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, Radial Keratotomy / Lasik Complications and Lasik failures, Keratoconus, Corneal Ectasia, Post-Surgical Vision Loss,  Pellucid Marginal Degeneration, and other irregular corneas.

Dr. Azman, one of the country’s top Keratoconus Specialists neither avoids nor declines the challenge of prescribing the most difficult cases.