Specialty Contact Lenses
For patients with unique vision needs or challenging eye conditions, Vision Care Center offers comprehensive specialty contact lens services. Dr. Bartels provides custom-fitted solutions and advanced technologies designed to address complex vision problems that standard contact lenses cannot correct.
Whether you have keratoconus, severe astigmatism, corneal irregularities, or dry eye, specialty contact lenses can provide the sharp, comfortable vision you deserve.
Custom Soft Contact Lenses
Custom soft contact lenses are designed to meet the unique needs of your eyes, taking into account prescription, corneal curvature, and specific visual requirements. These lenses are ideal for patients whose eyes have a unique size or shape, those with unusual refractive errors, or individuals with irregular astigmatism.
Available in both hydrogel and silicone hydrogel materials, custom soft lenses can be manufactured in virtually any parameter to ensure a precise fit that provides stable vision and maximizes comfort. They can incorporate specialized designs for astigmatism correction, presbyopia, and other conditions.
Products we frequently use include, but are not limited to, Revive™ Custom Soft Lens Family, NovaKone®, Alden HP Sphere and HP Toric, Alden Classic Sphere and Classic Toric, and Wave Contact Lenses. Dr. Bartels is the only optometrist in Buffalo certified in Wave Contact Lenses, offering this innovative technology to patients who want to enjoy truly personalized contacts.
Scleral Contact Lenses
Scleral lenses are large-diameter gas-permeable lenses that vault over the entire corneal surface and rest on the white of the eye. Scleral lenses offer sharp vision for individuals with keratoconus, corneal scars, or severe dry eye. A fluid reservoir between the lens and cornea ensures comfort throughout the day.
These lenses are particularly effective for treating corneal diseases, severe refractive errors, and eye surface conditions. Because they sit securely underneath the eyelids, they remain stable during physical activity. Products we frequently use include Zenlens and Acculens.
Gas-Permeable Contact Lenses
Gas-permeable contact lenses are hard contact lenses that do not contain water, making them more resistant to dry eye, mineral deposits, and bacterial infections. Because the lens maintains its shape, vision stays focused and unaffected when you blink.
These lenses may provide sharper vision than soft lenses and offer excellent oxygen transmission to the eye. They can be highly effective in correcting certain eye conditions and corneal irregularities.
With proper care, rigid gas-permeable lenses can be used for up to two to three years before needing replacement. Products we frequently use include Custom Craft Gas Permeable Lenses and ASANA™ Gas Permeable Lenses.
Myopia Management Contact Lenses
Myopia control contact lenses, such as orthokeratology lenses, can help slow the progression of nearsightedness in children and teens by directing peripheral light rays to focus differently on the retina, promoting slower eye growth. Research indicates these lenses can slow myopia progression by approximately half compared to standard glasses or contact lenses.
Products we frequently use include Euclid Orthokeratology, Custom Craft Orthokeratology, Wave Orthokeratology, Arise Orthokeratology, and MiSight 1 Day from CooperVision.
Hybrid Contact Lenses
Hybrid lenses, such as SynergEyes, combine a rigid gas-permeable central zone with a soft peripheral skirt, offering the crisp optics of hard lenses and the comfort of soft lenses. They are an excellent option for patients with moderate corneal irregularities or astigmatism who want clear vision with enhanced comfort.
Specialty Lens Fitting
Fitting specialty contact lenses requires advanced training and sophisticated equipment. Dr. Bartels utilizes state-of-the-art diagnostic tools to precisely map your eyes and determine the optimal lens design tailored to your specific needs. The fitting process typically involves multiple appointments to ensure optimal fit, comfort, and vision.
Schedule a contact lens consultation with Dr. Bartels at Vision Care Center in Tonawanda, NY, to explore your options and discover how specialty contact lenses can enhance your vision and improve your quality of life.
