If you have trouble wearing regular contact lenses, you’re not alone. Many people experience discomfort when wearing contacts because of conditions like keratoconus, chronic dry eye, or astigmatism. It can be frustrating and even discouraging to deal with these issues, but there are options available to help you find relief.
In this blog post, we’ll explore some reasons why your contact lenses may be uncomfortable and share some alternatives that could work for you.
Reasons why your contacts may be uncomfortable
So, why are your contact lenses uncomfortable? Well, there could be a few reasons. Your eyes may be sensitive to the materials used in traditional soft contact lenses. Another possibility is that your prescription may need adjusting, or you may have an irregularly shaped cornea (like with astigmatism or keratoconus) that makes it challenging for standard contacts to fit properly on your eyes. Or if you have dry eye, your contact lenses can end up feeling dry and scratchy, leading to discomfort, redness, and even infections in severe cases.
The good news is you don’t have to live in discomfort. Rigid gas permeable lenses and scleral lenses may be a good option depending on your specific needs.
Rigid gas permeable lenses
Rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses are made of a hard plastic material that allows oxygen to pass through to your cornea, making them more breathable than soft lenses. They offer sharper vision than soft contacts and last longer. RGPs are an excellent option for people with astigmatism or keratoconus because they maintain their shape on the cornea, providing better vision. However, they take time to adjust to and require consistent wear to maintain comfort.
Scleral lenses
Another option is scleral lenses. These large-diameter contacts rest on the white part of your eye (called the sclera) instead of directly on the cornea. This makes them ideal for people with irregularly shaped corneas due to conditions like keratoconus or post-LASIK surgery complications. Scleral lenses also create a reservoir of tears and fluid between the lens and the front of the eye, helping to relieve dry eye symptoms.
If you’re struggling with traditional contact lenses, don’t give up hope! Specialty lenses like RGPs and sclerals can provide clear vision and comfort. Our eye doctors in Coral Gables and Palmetto Bay, Florida have expertise in fitting specialty contact lenses and can help you find the right option for your unique needs. Give us a call today to book an appointment!