You probably won't give your contact lenses a second thought until they stop working. If you’re in Americus or Leesburg and are experiencing issues with your current contacts, help might be closer than you think.
Many of our patients in Georgia come in frustrated, but leave with clarity and comfort they didn’t know was possible. That’s the power of specialty contact lenses, custom fit by our eye care team at Regional Eye Center.
What Makes a Contact Lens “Specialty”?
Unlike standard contact lenses, which are mass-produced for eyes that fall within an average range, specialty contact lenses are custom-designed for people with unique vision needs or challenging eye shapes. Eye conditions that may require specialty lenses include:
- Irregular corneas (often due to keratoconus, surgery, or injury)
- Corneal scarring
- Severe dry eye syndrome
- High astigmatism
- Post-surgical vision distortion
- Presbyopia with additional eye correction needs
Types of Specialty Contact Lenses at Regional Eye Center
At Regional Eye Center, we offer multiple types of lenses to fit different needs. Here are some of the most common:
Scleral Contact Lenses
Scleral contact lenses are larger lenses that vault over the cornea and rest on the sclera (white part of the eye), making them ideal for patients with irregular corneas or severe dry eye. They trap a fluid reservoir against the eye’s surface, providing both hydration and comfort.
Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Lenses
RGP lenses offer crisp vision by maintaining their shape on the eye, even if the cornea does not. They're durable, long-lasting, and excellent for correcting astigmatism and other refractive errors.
Hybrid Lenses
These lenses combine the sharp vision of RGP lenses with the comfort of soft lenses. They’re great for patients who need structure and clarity but want a softer edge against the eye.
Toric Lenses
Used specifically for astigmatism, toric lenses are designed to stay in place and provide consistent correction, a key difference from regular contact lenses, which may rotate on the eye and blur vision
Bifocal & Multifocal Lenses
Bifocal and multifocal lenses correct both near and far vision, often used for presbyopia, a condition common in adults over 40. They’re a popular solution for patients who want to avoid reading glasses.
Custom Soft Lenses
These lenses are tailored to unusual corneal shapes and can accommodate conditions like high myopia or hyperopia. Some are made specifically for extended wear or to reduce symptoms related to dry eyes.
The Specialty Contact Lens Fitting Process at Regional Eye Center
Finding the right eye correction contact lens begins with an in-depth evaluation. At Regional Eye Center, our contact lens fitting process is designed for comfort, accuracy, and lasting results.
- Detailed Measurements: We assess the shape, size, and surface of the eyes using advanced corneal mapping tools. This helps us understand why standard contacts may not be working and which lens style is most appropriate.
- Tear Film Evaluation: Dry eye syndrome is common in Georgia, especially among outdoor workers and screen-heavy households. We’ll check your eye’s moisture levels to ensure any contact lens we recommend won’t cause irritation or dryness.
- Trial Lens Application: Whenever possible, we apply trial lenses during the initial appointment. This allows us to assess comfort, vision correction, and alignment in real-time.
- Personalized Instruction: Our team will guide you through the process of inserting, removing, and caring for your new lenses. We also discuss potential side effects and how to troubleshoot them.
- Ongoing Follow-Up: We don’t stop at the first fitting. Follow-up appointments enable us to refine the lens design, monitor progress, and ensure long-term success with your contact lens options.
Find Your Fit & Finally See Clearly in Georgia
Whether you’ve been told your eyes are “hard to fit” or you’re tired of the discomfort from standard contact lenses, it’s time for a second opinion. At Regional Eye Center, we don’t believe complex vision needs should mean compromise.
Our eye doctors have decades of experience fitting rigid gas permeable RGP lenses, scleral lenses, toric lenses, and other advanced contact lens types. Book your contact lens exam and we’ll guide you through the fitting process, help you understand your options, and work until we find the lens that feels right.
Specialty Contact Lens FAQs
What conditions require specialty contact lenses?
People with astigmatism, dry eye syndrome, keratoconus, corneal scarring, or post-surgical vision changes often benefit from specialty contact lens fitting.
Are specialty contacts uncomfortable?
Not at all. Many designs — especially scleral and hybrid lenses — are known for their comfort, even on sensitive or irregular corneas.
How long does the fitting process take?
Most patients receive trial lenses the same day as their fitting. We then schedule follow-ups over the next few weeks to ensure comfort and performance.