Standard contact lenses work well for a lot of people — but for many vision needs, "standard" simply isn't built to fit. That's where specialty lenses come in.
Multifocal Contact Lenses
Designed for patients with presbyopia (the age-related loss of near focus that typically starts in the 40s), multifocal lenses contain multiple prescriptions in a single lens — often a gradient of powers — so you can see clearly at near, intermediate, and far distances without switching between glasses.
Toric Contact Lenses
Built specifically to correct astigmatism, toric lenses have different powers in different meridians of the lens (rather than one uniform power) and are designed to stay properly oriented on the eye with each blink. Without this specific design, a standard lens simply won't correct astigmatism accurately.
Scleral Lenses
Scleral lenses are larger, rigid lenses that vault over the entire cornea and rest on the white part of the eye (the sclera) rather than directly on the cornea. They're often used for:
- Keratoconus and other conditions that distort the cornea's shape
- Severe dry eye, since the space between the lens and cornea holds a reservoir of fluid
- Irregular corneas from previous surgery or injury
- Patients who've been told they "can't wear contacts" due to corneal irregularities
Who Needs What
- Presbyopia + otherwise healthy eyes → multifocal lenses
- Astigmatism → toric lenses
- Astigmatism and presbyopia → multifocal toric lenses exist too
- Irregular or highly sensitive corneas → scleral lenses
Why a Specialty Fitting Matters
These lenses require a more detailed fitting process than standard contacts — precise measurements, sometimes multiple visits, and closer follow-up to make sure the fit and vision are both right. It's a bigger investment of time upfront, but it's often the difference between "technically wearing contacts" and actually seeing well and comfortably.
The Bottom Line
If you've been told standard contacts "just don't work" for your eyes, that's usually a fitting problem, not a permanent limitation. Specialty lenses exist precisely for the cases standard lenses can't handle.
Curious whether a specialty lens could work for you? Schedule a contact lens consultation with our team.
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