Four Virginia Beach Locations
ALL
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(757) 426-2020 |
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Soft lenses |
Advances in this category of contacts are represented in the
new silicone hydrogel materials and in the daily disposable
lens. This new material allows for a greater transmission of
oxygen which results in a healthier, whiter looking eye. The
greater amount of oxygen also allows your corneal
endothelium to function properly and maintain the overall
clarity of the cornea.
Traditionally, the planned
replacement for soft lenses was either at 2 weeks, 1 month,
or quarterly. The advent of the daily disposable contact
lens lets the patient have a new, clean, fresh feeling lens
every day. A new lens every day helps to reduce the risk for
infection, irritation, and allergies. This is the healthiest
soft lens option on the market today. |
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Toric soft lenses (For astigmatism) |
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These lenses are used to help correct a prescription that
contains astigmatism. Regular spherical soft contacts
contain the same power throughout the lens and can thus can
rotate on the eye and not affect your vision. However, toric
lenses place more power at a specific location, or axis, on
the lens which corresponds to the patient's astigmatism and
corrects their vision. Since the powers vary in the lens,
toric lenses cannot rotate or they will alter your vision.
Newer toric designs have vastly improved the stability of
these type of lenses to help minimize rotation and maximize
crisp vision. |
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Contact lens options for presbyopic patients: |
Presbyopia is the condition in which the natural lens of the
eye begins to lose its focusing ability for up-close tasks.
This is a natural occurrence and begins to affect most
patients around the age of 40.
1.
Distance contact lenses with reading glasses.
In this set-up distance contact lenses are worn in both
eyes and reading glasses are worn over top when focusing on
close-up objects.
Pros- The best distance vision
possible in both eyes while maintaining your usual contrast
and depth perception. The best reading vision while using
your readers over the contacts.
Cons- Not the best
option if you have a lot of computer or near tasks
throughout the day due to the need for always carrying
around reading glasses with you.
2.
Monovision contacts
In this
set-up the patient wears a distance powered contact lens on
their dominant eye and a reading powered contact lens on the
other eye.
Pros- This allows for the patient to
have one eye that sees for distance and the other eye that
sees for reading. Once the powers are adjusted correctly the
dependency on reading glasses is reduced or removed.
Cons- This is the most difficult set-up for the patient's
brain to adapt to. Since one eye is used for distance and
the other eye for reading, the patient's depth perception
and contrast is reduced. This in turn can sometimes decrease
a patients night driving abilities.
3.
Multifocal contacts
In this
set-up the patient wears contacts in each eye that contain
powers for distance, computer (arms length), and close
reading.
Pros- This allows for the patient to
have the best range of vision without the use of an
additional pair of glasses while at the computer or reading.
Cons- There is a 1-2 week brain adaptation period needed
with these lenses. During this time frame some patients will
describe an increase in glare and halos while night driving.
Soft multifocals work the best in patients with less
than 1 diopter of astigmatism in their eyes. If you have 1
or more diopters of astigmatism in your eyes, you may need
to go to a rigid multifocal contact or a soft monovision
set-up. |
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Rigid Gas Permeable lenses |
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Rigid lenses were the original type of contact available
before the introduction of soft lenses. Rigid lenses are
“stiff” lenses that float on the tear layer of your eye.
Since these lenses maintain their shape as compared to soft
lenses they are optically superior and usually give the
sharpest vision of any contact. This is especially true for
patients with large amounts of astigmatism. Rigid lenses are
smaller and allow for more oxygen and a better tear exchange
to the cornea which aids in removal of metabolic waste. Once
the patient adapts to the initial comfort factor, rigid
lenses make a great option for many people. |
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Hybrid lenses |
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Hybrid lenses are a combination of a rigid contact lens in
the center with an attached soft contact lens skirt. These
lenses are designed to give the better optics associated
with a rigid lens while maintaining the comfort of a soft
lens. This is a good option for patients that have a higher
amount of astigmatism who could not adapt to the initial
comfort of a normal rigid contact. Coastal Vision currently
fits the
Synergeyes version of this lens. |
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Corneal Refractive Therapy (CRT) NON-Surgical Vision Correction, WHILE YOU SLEEP! |
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CRT is a non-surgical way to correct your vision while you
sleep. These are special contact lenses that gently reshape
the front surface of your cornea while you wear them
overnight. Once the process is complete, your need for
glasses or contact lenses during the day is eliminated. This
is a great option for anyone who is tired of glasses and/or
daytime contact lens wear. Also if you have ever considered
Lasik surgery but have been told you are not a good
candidate, are still too young, or if you are just
apprehensive about undergoing Lasik then this may be a good
choice for you. CRT is FDA approved for patients of all ages
with low to moderate amounts of nearsightedness with or
without mild corneal astigmatism. Coastal Vision currently
fits
Paragon CRT lenses. For more
information, click the
Paragon CRT lenses and also check out
our "Education Center" link on the top right, then select
from the "Corneal Refractive Therapy" link. |
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Specialty lenses |
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Even with all the of new advances in material and
manufacturing abilities, there are still some patients who
cannot be fit into regular lenses. These could be patients
with extremely dry eyes, keratoconus (thinning disease of
the cornea), irregular cornea following Lasik surgery, etc.
We specialize in fitting contact lenses on these difficult
to fit patients. Keratoconic
lenses, scleral lenses, and several other types of specialty
lenses may allow certain patients that were told they cannot
wear contacts a better chance for improved vision and
comfort. |
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