UltraHealth Lenses by SynergEyes Improves Vision for Those With Keratoconus Submitted by Atlanta Vision Cataract and Laser Center on February 16, 2021
Keratoconus is different from most other eye conditions that cause vision loss. Eye diseases like cataracts and macular degeneration occur as you get older, and once they develop, they can keep getting progressively worse.
By comparison, keratoconus first appears in adolescents and young adults, progresses for 10-20 years, and then stabilizes. While the condition deteriorates, your vision also suffers.
Although we at Atlanta Vision Cataract & Laser Center can’t predict how fast keratoconus may progress, we know that an early diagnosis and expert treatment make a big difference in your eye health and vision before the disease stabilizes.
As specialists in keratoconus, we’re excited when we can offer a new treatment option. We’re proud to offer the latest hybrid contact lenses: UltraHealth® by SynergEyes®. Read on to learn about keratoconus and the benefits of these new contacts.
Keratoconus explained
Keratoconus occurs when the cornea thins out and loses its shape. The cornea is normally shaped like a dome that covers your eye. When you develop keratoconus, the thinning cornea starts to bulge out from the center of your eye, forming a cone-like shape.
Your cornea is essential for clear, normal vision. Its rounded shape bends light as it enters your eye, focusing it on the center of your lens. As keratoconus develops and the cornea loses its shape, your vision changes.
Keratoconus typically affects both eyes, but the cornea can thin out at a different pace in each eye. As a result, each eye can have different symptoms.
Keratoconus symptoms
The earliest signs of keratoconus are blurry and distorted vision. Many people also have red eyes, and their eyes become more sensitive to light and glare.
As the condition progresses, you develop nearsightedness or astigmatism and any existing refractive errors get worse. If you already wear contact lenses, you may discover that they don’t fit properly or that they become uncomfortable.
UltraHealth hybrid contact lenses for keratoconus
Contacts are made from different materials. Most people prefer soft contact lenses because they’re more comfortable. But when you have keratoconus, soft lenses aren’t an option. The shape of the cornea requires a type of hard lens called rigid gas-permeable (RGP) lenses.
As the first hybrid contact lenses for keratoconus, UltraHealth gives you the best of both worlds. These contacts use RGP in the center, which is surrounded by a soft material.
The soft part makes the UltraHealth contacts comfortable to wear all day. The soft rims also make it easier to take the contacts in and out of your eyes.
But it’s the RGP part of the UltraHealth contacts that make them an exceptional choice for keratoconus.
How UltraHealth works for keratoconus
SynergEyes developed an innovative design for the RGP part of your UltraHealth contacts. The hard portion has a high-vaulted design that accommodates most people with keratoconus, no matter how much the cornea extends out from the eye.
The RPG lens works for virtually every stage of keratoconus. The rigid lens corrects refractive errors and gives you crystal-clear vision.
The UltraHealth lenses also support the health of your eyes. Their RGP lens includes UVA and UVB blockers to protect your eyes from the sun. The lens also has an exceptionally high DK value.
A high DK value means that the hard lens allows the maximum amount of oxygen to reach your eye. The health of your cornea depends on getting plenty of oxygen directly from air.
To learn more about UltraHealth and how these advanced contacts can help you, contact us at our Atlanta, Georgia, office or schedule an appointment online today.