What are Therapeutic Contact Lenses?
Therapeutic contact lenses are a specialized type of contact lens designed to treat certain ocular conditions beyond basic vision correction. Unlike standard corrective contact lenses, therapeutic lenses have additional properties and features tailored for medicinal purposes. Some common uses of therapeutic contact lenses include:
Treating Keratoconus
Keratoconus is a degenerative corneal condition that causes the central part of the cornea to thin and bulge into a conical shape. This distortions vision. Therapeutic contact lenses for keratoconus are specifically designed to fit the irregular corneal shape and compensate for distorted corneal geometry, restoring clearer vision. These rigid gas permeable lenses are steeper to counteract the steepened corneal curve.
Treating Corneal Injuries and Ulcers
Therapeutic Contact Lenses corneal trauma or surgery, wounds and ulcers can develop on the corneal surface. Therapeutic bandage contact lenses are used to protect injured or fragile areas of the cornea from external irritants while encouraging epithelial healing. Made from high oxygen permeable materials, these soft lenses allow oxygen to reach the cornea and prevent further damage. Regular replacement is needed as the lenses become coated with epithelial cells.
Relieving Dry Eye Symptoms
Some contact lenses are designed to treat dry eye disease symptoms by sustaining proper moisture and tear film over the ocular surface. Examples include lenses with sustained lubricity coatings to reduce friction from blinks, or lenses edge-designed to dip into the tear meniscus and deposit more tear volume onto the cornea with each blink. These features help supplement natural tear production.
Improving Vision after Refractive Surgery
For patients who have developed vision problems like halos or double vision following refractive surgery procedures like LASIK, specialized contact lenses can improve images clarity and reduce visual side effects. Orthokeratology lens wear overnight can also help post-REFRAX patients by gently reshaping the cornea to reduce higher-order aberrations.
Therapeutic Contact Lens Design Features
The benefits of therapeutic lenses are derived from their specialized designs incorporating properties tailored to treat specific ocular conditions:
Material - Rigid gas permeable materials like Boston XO or Paragon CRT are often used for their higher oxygen transmissibility, steeper curvature capabilities, and surface properties facilitating epithelial cell migration in wound healing.
Geometry - Lens shapes are customized based on computerized corneal topography to precisely fit irregularities in conditions like keratoconus. Designs incorporate features like steeper bases.
Surface Treatment - Coatings like ReNu, surfaces patterns etc sustain proper moisture and lubrication over the corneal surface, reducing friction in dry eye and facilitating epithelial cell migration.
Edge Profile - Purposeful edge designs and dimensions influence how the lens interacts with the tear film and deposits fluid onto the cornea with each blink. Some therapeutic lenses have a squared edge to increase fluid dispensing.
Ophthalmic Specialists and Therapeutic Contact Lenses Fitting
Given their specialized nature, proper fitting of therapeutic contact lenses requires the expertise of an ophthalmic specialist like a cornea or contact lens expert. A comprehensive eye exam is needed to fully assess the ocular health status and severity of the condition being treated. Specialized diagnostic tools like corneal topographers are used to accurately map any irregularities for custom lens design.
Fitting therapeutic lenses also involves careful consideration of lens material and surface properties, geometry and alignment on the eye. Frequent follow-ups allow the specialist to monitor for any complications and make adjustments as needed to optimize lens performance, comfort, and clinical efficacy over time. With proper professional fitting and ongoing care, therapeutic contact lenses can successfully manage conditions and improve quality of vision.
Overall, therapeutic contact lenses showcase the remarkable abilities of contact lens technology beyond basic refractive correction. Their innovative designs tailored for specific medicinal functions allow these specialized lenses to effectively treat and manage various ocular surface diseases and conditions. With fitting and oversight from eye care experts, therapeutic lenses provide clinical utility and vision benefits in comprehensive eye health management.
About Author:
Money Singh is a seasoned content writer with over four years of experience in the market research sector. Her expertise spans various industries, including food and beverages, biotechnology, chemical and materials, defense and aerospace, consumer goods, etc. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/money-singh-590844163)
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