Why Regular Contact Lenses Aren’t Enough for Complex Eye Conditions: Welcome Medical-Grade Contacts

When it comes to vision correction, contact lenses are an excellent choice for millions of people. They provide a convenient and effective way to address common refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. However, for those with complex eye conditions, standard contact lenses are not an option. Forefront Eye Care has been recognized for nearly 60 years as one of New England’s largest clinics providing complex contact lens fittings. Our doctors are nationally recognized experts in the specialized field of medical contact lenses.

What Are Medical-Grade Contact Lenses?

Medical-grade contact lenses designed to meet the unique needs of individuals with complicated ocular pathologies of the eyes or eyelids. Unlike regular contact lenses, which are mass-produced and standardized, these lenses are custom-made to address the special visual needs of each patient. Medical contacts can be soft, rigid gas permeable, hybrid or scleral in any shape or size imaginable. Contact lens technology today is so incredible that the need for corneal transplantation has been significantly reduced.

Scleral Lenses

Scleral lenses are an excellent option for individuals with conditions such as keratoconus, irregular corneas, severe dry eye, non-healing corneal defects, corneal scarring, graft versus host disease, trauma or eyelid pathologies. These lenses are larger than standard contacts and rest on the sclera—the white part of the eye—rather than the cornea. Unlike soft lenses, they are hard and can provide a protective shell over the surface of the eye. This unique design creates a fluid reservoir beneath the lens, offering constant hydration and exceptional comfort while providing sharper vision by creating a smooth optical surface.

Forefront Eye Care is one of only two offices in New England offering the impression based EyePrint lens. (please make link) https://eyeprintpro.com/ Not only is this lens fully customizable but it comes in a bifocal and can help to correct double vision.

OVITZ higher order aberration control lenses.

Forefront Eye Care is one of only a select number of practices in New England which offers advanced optics integration with scleral lenses. While medical contact lenses can restore vision to an amazing degree, patients with high refractive errors, scarring or irregular surfaces can still have a considerable light scatter inside the eye. Now, technology allows us to precisely map this scatter and etch a compensatory scatter map onto the surface of a contact, greatly sharpening vision.

Post-Surgical Contact Lenses

Post-surgical contact lenses are specifically designed for patients who have undergone corneal surgeries like LASIK, PRK, or corneal transplants. These lenses accommodate changes in corneal shape or irregularities resulting from surgery. They not only enhance visual clarity but also protect the cornea. Lenses that are fit over artificial corneas or after ocular trauma are also available.

Amniotic Membrane Contact Lenses

Amniotic membrane contact lenses are a groundbreaking option for individuals with chronic dry eye, severe corneal damage, persistent epithelial defects, or ocular surface diseases. These lenses are composed of harvested human amniotic tissue, known for its natural healing properties that support tissue regeneration.This innovative approach offers significant relief and healing for patients with challenging ocular conditions.

Orthokeratology

Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) lenses are a non-invasive solution for people with low to moderate powered glasses who wish to be free of vision correction during the day. Ortho-K lenses are also an effective method for decreasing the progression of nearsightedness in children. These lenses are worn overnight, gently reshaping the cornea during sleep. This temporarily reshapes the cornea, and provides clear vision during the day without the need for glasses or contacts. For patients who are involved in water sports, Ortho-K lenses eliminate the risk of infection associated with swimming in regular contact lenses.

Multifocal Contact Lenses

Multifocal contact lenses are ideal for adults with presbyopia or those needing correction for both distance and near vision. These lenses feature multiple zones designed for viewing at various distances, enabling clear vision without the need to switch between glasses. They are a perfect choice for patients who lead active lifestyles and want a seamless solution for their vision needs. From a medical standpoint, multifocal lenses are a terrific way to correct vision when younger patients have to have cataract surgery in only one eye, leading to focusing imbalances between the two eyes. They are also very good options for patients who have had cataract surgery or patients who had laser vision correction and now have near focusing difficulties.

Why Choose Medical-Grade Contact Lenses?

Customized Fit: These lenses are precisely tailored to the unique shape and condition of your eyes.
Enhanced Comfort: Advanced materials and designs ensure maximum comfort, deposit resistance and oxygen permeability, even for those with sensitive eyes or complex conditions.
Improved Vision: Medical-grade lenses provide sharper and more reliable vision correction, even in challenging cases.

Take the First Step Toward Clearer, Healthier Vision

Medical-grade contact lenses open up a world of possibilities for individuals with a variety of pathologic eye conditions. Whether you’re living with keratoconus, have a very high refractive error, are recovering from surgery, or have severe dry eye, these advanced lenses provide customized care, unparalleled comfort, and exceptional vision correction.

Contact Forefront Eye Care to schedule an eye exam, and discover how medical-grade contact lenses can transform your vision and enhance your quality of life. Dr. Amy Nau and Dr. Andrew McLeod are the lead contact lens fitters in our practice. Visit our office in Boston, Massachusetts, or call (617) 322-0534 to book an appointment today.