NECO Center for Eye Care is one of New England’s most comprehensive medical contact lens clinics, offering a wide range of contact lens manufacturers and specializing in complex fittings for a wide array of ocular conditions. Our optometrists are national experts in medically necessary contact lenses and are at the forefront of the most recent advances in contact lens technology. They are uniquely qualified to diagnose, prescribe, custom fit, and educate patients on using specialized contact lenses. We treat patients needing a simple visual correction, such as those requiring a medical contact lens to store vision due to keratoconus, irregular corneas, irregular eyelid anatomy, high prescription ocular surface disease, or traumatic corneal scarring. 

What are specialty contact lenses?
Specialty contact lenses are designed for those with chronic eye conditions that make wearing regular contacts uncomfortable. These lenses also correct vision issues caused by abnormal eye shapes, which are traditionally managed with eyeglasses. Below are some effective types of specialty contact lenses:

• Scleral lenses: These lenses vault over the cornea while resting on the white part of the eye, known as the scleral. Scleral lenses are suitable for ocular conditions, as described in detail above. 
• Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) lenses: These rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses can correct low nearsightedness while patients are asleep. Ortho-K lenses are best for patients unable to tolerate normal contact lens wear and are also used in myopia control.
• Gas-permeable (GP) lenses: GP lenses are durable, long-lasting, and resistant to protein deposits, making them a practical choice for many patients. They can also improve visual acuity for some patients by maintaining the shape of the eye, effectively correcting astigmatism and irregular corneas.
• Amniotic membrane lenses: Amniotic membranes are used for ocular conditions such as chronic ocular surface disease, corneal ulcers, chemical burns, or persistent corneal defects. These lenses have remarkable healing properties and can reduce inflammation and scarring.
• High refractive error: Medically necessary contact lenses benefit individuals with high refractive error because they provide more precise correction than glasses, offering more transparent and more stable vision. These lenses sit directly on the eye, reducing distortions and allowing for a wider field of vision, essential for daily activities and overall visual comfort.
• Ocular surface disease: Chronic ocular surface disease can result in changes to the corneal structure. Scleral contact lenses can create a local moisture chamber over the cornea, helping to improve ocular symptoms and overall quality of life for patients. 
• Irregular cornea: Medically necessary contact lenses provide a smooth, uniform surface over the cornea, enhancing visual clarity. These lenses can correct distortions caused by irregular corneas caused by conditions such as keratoconus, corneal scarring, or post-surgical complications. By improving the fit and stability of the eye, they reduce symptoms like glare and halos, significantly improving the patient’s quality of life. 
• Corneal ectasias, including keratoconus: For patients with keratoconus, medically necessary contact lenses are vital as they create a smooth, regular optical surface, compensating for the irregular shape of the cornea. These lenses help improve visual acuity and reduce symptoms like glare and halos, significantly enhancing the patient’s quality of life and daily functioning.
• Ocular trauma: Ocular trauma can sometimes result in changes to the standard corneal structure, including corneal scarring or alterations in regular eyelid anatomy. Patients with a history of ocular trauma may suffer from glare or halos, visual difficulties in certain lighting conditions, or difficulty closing their eyelids completely. Medically necessary contact lenses can help reduce these symptoms, protect the cornea, and promote healing in certain cases of ocular trauma or disease.

With the expertise at NECO Center for Eye Care, you can find the right specialty contact lenses to suit your unique needs. We invite you to schedule an evaluation to explore your options.