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Specialty Contact Lens Exam in Pittsburgh
Your contact lenses should be comfortable and give you clear vision all day long. However, if you’ve ever felt discomfort with soft contact lenses or been told you can’t wear them, you might think glasses are your only option. But that’s not necessarily true.
Today, there are many specialty contact lens options available for “hard-to-fit” eye conditions. At Pittsburgh Primary Eyecare, we offer specialty contact lens exams in Pittsburgh to help you find the best contact lens fit.
Specialty contact lenses are designed for patients with unique eye conditions that make regular contact lenses uncomfortable or ineffective. If you have dry eyes, keratoconus, or irregularly shaped corneas, or have recently had corneal transplant surgery, specialty contact lenses may be the answer.
Who needs a specialty contact lens exam?
A specialty contact lens exam is necessary when a medical condition makes standard lenses ineffective or uncomfortable. Depending on your diagnosis, Dr. Bressler may fit you with scleral lenses, rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses, hybrid lenses, custom soft lenses, or orthokeratology (ortho-k) lenses.
Some of the most common conditions we see include:
- Keratoconus: Keratoconus is a progressive condition where the cornea thins and takes on a cone-like shape, blurring and distorting vision.¹ Scleral or RGP lenses are typically the most effective options.
- Irregular corneas: Scleral lenses can help patients with irregular corneas caused by scarring, trauma, or a corneal transplant. Because the lenses vault completely over the cornea, they create a smooth optical surface that can improve both comfort and vision quality.²
- Severe or chronic dry eye disease: Scleral lenses sit in a reservoir of saline solution that keeps the eye continuously hydrated, which can be ideal for patients who’ve given up on contacts because of dry eye.³
- High or irregular astigmatism: When standard lenses can’t provide adequate correction, custom soft or RGP lenses are often the better fit.
- Post-refractive surgery complications: If you had LASIK, RK, or PRK and are still struggling with distortion or poor vision quality, scleral or hybrid lenses can often compensate for the altered corneal shape.
- Corneal transplant (penetrating keratoplasty): Transplanted corneas often have irregular surfaces. Rigid or scleral lenses are typically the best way to achieve clear vision after surgery.
What’s included in a specialty contact lens exam
During a specialty contact lens exam, our specialty contact lens specialist, Dr. Bressler, will thoroughly evaluate your eyes to determine the best type of specialty lenses for your needs. He takes the time to understand your vision requirements and lifestyle to recommend the most suitable lenses.
Here’s what you can expect during your appointment:
- Comprehensive medical eye evaluation: We’ll review your full eye and medical history, including prior lens wear, surgeries, and diagnoses.
- Corneal topography: We use corneal topography to map the shape and surface irregularities of your cornea. This ensures your lenses fit perfectly without causing irritation or damage to your eyes.
- Vision and prescription evaluation: We’ll test your visual acuity and refine your prescription to make sure your specialty lens gives you the clearest possible vision.
- In-office lens fitting: You’ll try wearing a sample lens during your appointment so Dr. Bressler can assess the fit and make any adjustments before ordering your lenses.
- Follow-up and ongoing care: One or more follow-up visits are typically needed to confirm fit and make any adjustments. This is a normal part of the specialty fitting process.
Schedule a specialty contact lens exam in Pittsburgh
If you’ve struggled with soft contact lenses or were previously told contacts are not an option for you because of dry eyes, astigmatism, or another eye condition, you may be a candidate for specialty contact lenses. Dr. Bressler has helped many patients in Pittsburgh achieve comfortable, clear vision after years of frustration with standard lenses.
Schedule an appointment today to learn more about our specialty contact lenses and find the perfect fit for your needs.
Specialty contact lens exam FAQ
How much is a specialty contact lens eye exam?
Specialty contact lens exams are priced differently from routine contact lens fittings because of the additional time, technology, and clinical expertise involved. The exact cost depends on your diagnosis and the type of lens being fit.
Insurance coverage varies as well. If your exam is medically necessary due to a condition like keratoconus, your medical insurance may cover it even when your vision plan does not. We recommend calling our office before your appointment to discuss pricing and verify your benefits.
What’s the difference between a regular contact lens exam and a specialty contact lens exam?
A routine contact lens exam is designed for patients with healthy eyes and standard prescriptions. It confirms your prescription and fits you with commercially available soft lenses. It prioritizes convenience and is ideal for patients without underlying eye conditions.
A specialty contact lens exam is a more extensive, medically oriented evaluation for patients whose conditions make standard lenses ineffective or harmful. It involves advanced diagnostics, longer chair time, a diagnostic lens trial, and typically at least one follow-up visit. If your eye doctor has ever told you that you’re “hard to fit,” a specialty exam is likely what you need.
How often do you need a specialty contact lens exam?
Most specialty contact lens patients are seen at least once a year, though the right frequency depends on your condition. Active or progressive conditions like keratoconus may require more frequent monitoring, since changes to the cornea can affect your lens fit over time.
Dr. Bressler will recommend a follow-up schedule based on your specific diagnosis and how stable your eyes are.
What if I have issues with my specialty contact lenses?
Contact our office promptly if you experience discomfort, blurry vision, redness, or any fit concerns. Some adjustment period is normal, especially for patients new to scleral or RGP lenses, but issues are almost always addressable.
Dr. Bressler can modify lens parameters, try a different design, or work through insertion and care techniques with you. Ongoing support is a built-in part of the specialty fitting process.
Will insurance cover my specialty contact lens exam?
Many medical insurance plans (as opposed to vision plans) cover specialty contact lens exams and fittings when there is a documented medical diagnosis. For example, keratoconus is frequently covered under medical insurance rather than vision insurance.
Coverage for the lenses varies widely. We recommend calling your insurance company before your appointment and asking specifically about medically necessary contact lens fitting benefits.
