Using contact lenses is one of the best methods through which you can treat keratoconus. Apart from glasses, they are the simplest way of correcting eye vision. You should consult a specialized contact lens practitioner who can help you in selecting the perfect combination from a wide range of designs. This combination includes corneal health, comfort and acuity.
Fitting a contact lens can be a difficult process for patients with keratoconus. In advanced stages, the cornea becomes thin to a point that it bulges out. A contact lens must fit around this bulge and still retain acuity, comfort, centration and proper fit. In mild cases of keratoconus, standard rigid gas permeable contact lenses are the best choice. Rigid gas permeable contacts achieve success in this milder cases. When fitted in a proper manner, rigid gas permeable contact lenses provide a clear vision. This is due to their spherical shape.
In moderate and advancing stages of keratoconus, aspheric shaped lens are quite helpful in correcting vision. Aspheric shaped lens designs consider the cone shape of the cornea which is caused by keratoconus. It allows a better fit by covering the apex of the cone. The contact lens must be placed properly in order to correct the patients vision.
Piggyback contact lenses are also used to correct keratoconus. Sometimes a rigid gas permeable contact lens can be uncomfortable for patients with keratoconus. Also it is very hard to center a hard contact lens correctly. In such extreme cases, using two contact lenses at the same time is recommended. A soft lens like silicone hydrogel lens is directly placed on the eye. This helps in maintaining the cornea’s shape. On top of the soft lens, a rigid gas permeable contact lens is placed. This maintains the shape as well as it improves the visual acuity.
