If you’ve tried contact lenses in the past and they didn’t work for you, it may not have been your eyes. Many patients are told they’re not candidates due to discomfort, dryness, or complex vision needs, when in reality, they simply haven’t been fitted with the right type of lens. Advances in specialty contact lenses have made it possible for more people than ever to achieve clear, comfortable vision.
Rethinking What’s Possible
Advanced Scleral & Specialty Contact Lenses
When Standard Lenses Aren’t Enough
Specialty Lenses in Scottsdale & Phoenix
A New Approach to Vision Correction
Explore our full range of services to find the right solutions for your vision, comfort, and long-term eye health.
With multiple locations across the Phoenix metro area, expert eye care is always within reach.
Get to know the team behind your care and see how we work together to provide individualized eye care.
Who Are Specialty Lenses For?
Specialty contact lenses are designed for patients whose eyes need more than a standard solution. If you’ve experienced discomfort, inconsistent vision, or have been told you’re not a candidate for contact lenses, there may still be options available.
These lenses are often recommended for patients with:
- Chronic dry eye or sensitivity to traditional lenses
- Keratoconus or irregular corneal shape
- Post-surgical changes to the eye
- High or complex prescriptions that are difficult to correct
What are Scleral Lenses?
Scleral lenses are designed differently, which is what makes them so effective for complex vision needs. Instead of sitting directly on the cornea, scleral lenses rest on the white part of the eye (the sclera) and vault over the cornea, creating a smooth optical surface.
This design allows the lens to hold a thin layer of fluid between the lens and your eye, which helps keep the surface hydrated. With advanced options like Zenlens, we can tailor the design to match the unique shape of your eye.
Why Patients Choose Scleral Lenses
Scleral lenses provide a level of comfort and stability that many patients haven’t experienced with traditional contact lenses.
- Improved comfort, especially for patients with dry or sensitive eyes
- Sharper, more stable vision for irregular corneas or complex prescriptions
- A protective barrier that supports the surface of the eye
- Reduced irritation compared to standard lenses that sit directly on the cornea
- Longer, more consistent wear throughout the day
With the right fit, they can restore confidence in daily activities that may have been limited by vision challenges in the past.
Specialty contact lenses also play an important role in managing myopia, especially in children. As nearsightedness progresses, these lenses can help slow its progression and support long-term eye health.
Options such as MiSight® soft lenses and orthokeratology (ortho-k) are designed to correct vision and influence how the eye grows. This helps reduce the risk of stronger prescriptions and associated eye health concerns later in life.
How We Fit Specialty Contact Lenses
Our Scottsdale eye doctors use advanced technology and a step-by-step approach to ensure your lenses are customized to your eyes. Using tools like the Oculus Keratograph topographer, we map the exact shape and surface of your eye, allowing us to design lenses with high accuracy. From there, we refine your lenses through a guided trial process, making adjustments based on how they feel and perform in your daily life.
Specialty Contact Lens FAQs
Yes, most patients find scleral lenses more comfortable than traditional lenses, especially if they have dry or sensitive eyes. Because they don’t touch the cornea directly, they often reduce irritation and improve all-day comfort.
Scleral lenses can be a powerful solution for dry eye because they keep the surface of the eye continuously hydrated. Many patients experience significant relief when other treatments haven’t worked.
There may be a short adjustment period as you learn how to insert, remove, and care for the lenses. Most patients adapt quickly and find the results well worth the initial learning curve.
Most patients can wear scleral lenses comfortably for a full day. Wear time may vary depending on your eyes and treatment plan, and we’ll guide you on what’s best.
Scleral lenses are more specialized than standard lenses, so they can be a larger investment. However, for many patients, the improvement in vision and comfort makes them a valuable long-term solution.
Schedule Your contact Lens exam
Don’t Settle for “Good Enough”
If you’ve been told contact lenses aren’t an option for you, it may be time to take a second look. Our eye clinic specialize in finding solutions for eyes that need a more advanced approach, helping you achieve clear, comfortable vision. Schedule your specialty lens consultation in Ironwood or Glendale and discover what’s possible.