Candidates for Hard to Fit Contact Lenses

Have you been told you’re not suitable for contact lens wear? Perhaps you tried it but found wearing them difficult. If so, you may have eyes that are hard to fit. This means that you may have a condition that makes wearing contact lenses more challenging. In these cases, you need a pair of lenses designed not to cause discomfort or make your eye problem worse. They should also not create any new vision-related issues given your situation. Are you curious about what exactly causes some eyes to become unsuitable for standard contacts? Specific eye health issues make people good candidates for hard to fit contact lenses, including:

1. Keratoconus. This is an eye condition that affects the cornea, which is the transparent layer at the front of your eye. A person with keratoconus will have a cornea that slowly bulges, losing its normal curved shape. Over time, the cone-like protrusion will keep the eye from focusing correctly. Early symptoms include red, swollen eyes as well as blurred, distorted vision. Custom soft contacts are often recommended for people with mild-to-severe keratoconus who can’t tolerate rigid lens options.

2. Astigmatism. For people with this refractive error, your eye doctor may prescribe toric contact lenses. These are specially tailored to correct astigmatism. Toric designs are available in both soft and rigid lens materials. Some people suffer from unusual types or high amounts of astigmatism. In this case, your eye doctor may recommend the use of custom toric contacts.

3. Dry Eye Disease. Dry eyes are a very prevalent problem. Nearly half of all adults in the United States regularly experience one or more dry eye symptoms. These include red, irritated, and watery eyes. It’s also common to experience a scratchy sensation as if something is in your eye. Dry eye syndrome often causes contact lens discomfort. In some people, it can make contact lens wear impossible.

4. Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis (GPC). This is an inflammatory condition caused by continuous rubbing of the inner side of the eyelids. It’s characterized by the formation of papillae or tiny nodules on the eyelid membrane. This results in persistent irritation and foreign body sensation, among others. The inflammatory reaction also leads to the secretion of a watery substance. The discharge creates a filmy coating on the contact lenses, causing discomfort and vision problems. Fortunately, GPC isn’t infectious. The symptoms also often clear after the mechanical friction on the conjunctiva ceases.

Are you looking for hard-to-fit contact lenses? We recommend that you schedule an eye checkup with our skilled eye specialists. At HineSight Vision Care, we can assess your eyes and vision health and determine if regular contact lenses will be adequate. Otherwise, we can recommend a pair of contacts that will be comfortable for you to wear. We will ensure that you will have the right contacts for your unique needs. Our eye health professionals can also demonstrate how to properly insert, remove, and store your hard-to-fit contact lenses. Call our office in Flowood, Mississippi, at (601) 519-4466 to book your appointment.