What Contact Lens Options Are Best Suited for Keratoconus?

Keratoconus is a condition that changes the shape of the cornea, causing it to thin and bulge outward into a cone-like form. As this happens, vision can become increasingly distorted, making everyday tasks such as reading, driving, and using digital devices more difficult. While glasses or standard contact lenses may help in the early stages, many people with keratoconus eventually require specialized contact lenses to achieve clear, comfortable vision.

Why Regular Soft Contact Lenses Often Fall Short

Traditional soft contact lenses conform to the shape of the cornea. In keratoconus, where the cornea is irregular, this means the lens also becomes distorted - resulting in poor vision correction. While some patients in very early stages of keratoconus may temporarily benefit from soft lenses designed for irregular corneas, they are typically not the best long-term solution as the condition progresses.

Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Lenses

Rigid gas permeable lenses were one of the earliest contact lens options used for keratoconus. Unlike soft lenses, RGP lenses hold their shape on the eye, allowing light to refract evenly and improving visual clarity.

Benefits of RGP lenses include:

• Sharper vision compared to glasses or soft lenses

• High oxygen permeability

• Durability and long lifespan

However, because RGP lenses sit directly on the cornea, some patients experience discomfort or lens instability, especially as keratoconus advances.

Hybrid Contact Lenses

Hybrid lenses combine a rigid gas permeable center with a soft outer skirt. This design aims to provide the clear vision of an RGP lens with improved comfort.

Hybrid lenses may be suitable if you:

• Need better vision than soft lenses provide

• Have mild to moderate keratoconus

• Struggle with comfort in traditional RGP lenses

While hybrids can work well for some patients, they may not offer enough stability or comfort for more advanced cases.

Scleral Lenses: The Gold Standard for Keratoconus

For many patients, scleral lenses are the most effective and comfortable option for keratoconus. These large-diameter, rigid lenses vault completely over the cornea and rest on the sclera (the white part of the eye). This design creates a smooth optical surface while protecting the cornea.

Key benefits of scleral lenses include:

• Exceptional visual clarity for moderate to advanced keratoconus

• Increased comfort due to minimal corneal contact

• Improved lens stability

• A fluid reservoir that helps keep eyes hydrated and protected

Because scleral lenses are highly customizable, they can be precisely designed to match each patient’s unique eye shape, making them especially effective for irregular corneas.

Ready to Explore Your Contact Len Options?

Living with keratoconus does not mean settling for poor or distorted vision. With today’s specialty contact lens options, many patients can achieve clear, stable, and comfortable vision even in advanced stages of the condition. Our expertise in specialty and scleral contact lenses allows us to create personalized solutions designed around your unique eyes.

If you have keratoconus, schedule a consultation at Contact Lens Institute of Delaware to learn more about specialty contact lenses. Visit our office in Lewes, Delaware, or call (302) 569-3937 to book an appointment today.