Been Told You Can't Wear Contact Lenses?

You may be a hard-to-fit contact lens patient if you have dry eye syndrome, astigmatism, keratoconus, giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC), presbyopia, corneal scarring, pellucid marginal degeneration, or a history of LASIK or other refractive surgery. These conditions affect the shape or surface of the eye in ways that make standard contact lenses uncomfortable or hard to keep in place. Golden Triangle Eye Center offers specialized fittings to find the right lens type for each of these conditions.

Yes, many people with dry eyes can wear contact lenses after their condition is treated and the right lens type is chosen. Soft lenses made with moisture-retaining materials and rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses — which hold a thin layer of moisture under the lens — are both options your eye doctor may recommend. A modified wearing schedule, such as fewer hours per day or more frequent lens replacement, can also help reduce dryness symptoms.

Toric contact lenses are the most common option for astigmatism — they are custom-shaped to match the unique curvature of each patient's cornea and designed to stay in place during blinking. When toric lenses rotate too much, rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses are often tried instead because their firm shape holds its position on the eye. Both types require a specialized fitting process that takes more time than a standard contact lens exam.

Rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses — sometimes called GP lenses — are firm, oxygen-permeable contact lenses that work well for many hard-to-fit conditions including keratoconus, dry eyes, GPC, post-LASIK complications, and astigmatism. Unlike soft lenses, RGPs do not contain water, which means they resist protein buildup and reduce the risk of eye infections. They also hold moisture under the lens to keep the eye surface hydrated throughout the day.

Many patients with keratoconus (a condition where the cornea thins and bulges into a cone shape) can wear RGP lenses for vision correction. RGP lenses vault over the irregular corneal surface and provide clearer vision than eyeglasses or soft lenses often can in these cases. At Golden Triangle Eye Center, we fit patients with mild, moderate, and some severe cases of keratoconus. Call us at 662‑729‑8246 to schedule a consultation.

Patients with presbyopia (reduced ability to focus on close objects, common after age 40) can choose bifocal or multifocal contact lenses, or a fitting approach called monovision. Monovision uses one lens corrected for distance vision and the other for near vision. Multifocal lenses fit both eyes to handle distance and near tasks at the same time. Most patients need about one week to adjust to either approach.

A hard-to-fit contact lens exam takes longer than a standard contact lens fitting because it involves additional measurements, trial lens testing, and follow-up adjustments specific to your condition. The exact time depends on which condition is being addressed and how quickly a comfortable, stable fit is achieved. Custom lenses such as toric lenses may also take longer to arrive from the lab than standard lenses.

If contacts have always felt uncomfortable, schedule a specialty contact lens exam to find out whether an underlying condition is affecting your fit. Many patients who were told they simply could not wear contacts are able to do so once the right lens type is matched to their specific eye shape or condition. Contact Golden Triangle Eye Center in Columbus to discuss your history and explore your options.