Specialty Contact Lenses for Difficult-to-Fit Patients in Longmont
Specialty Lens FAQs
When Standard Contact Lenses Are Not Enough
If you have tried contact lenses before and found them uncomfortable, blurry, or impossible to fit, the problem may not be your eyes—it may be the lens. Standard soft lenses are designed for average corneal shapes. If your cornea is irregular, cone-shaped, or unusually steep or flat, soft lenses will not sit correctly, and your vision will suffer.
- Keratoconus and irregular corneal conditions
- Previous failed soft lens fittings
At Focus Vision, we provide specialty contact lens evaluations for patients whose eyes require a different approach. Dr. Cottrell completed a specialty contact lens externship as part of his clinical training; this kind of fitting is not a workaround; it is a distinct clinical skill.
Call (303) 651-2020 to schedule a specialty contact lens consultation.
Gas-Permeable Contact Lenses (GP/RGP)
Gas permeable lenses, also called GP or RGP lenses, are rigid lenses that hold their shape on the eye rather than conforming to an irregular corneal surface. For patients with keratoconus or irregular astigmatism, this rigidity is what makes them work where soft lenses cannot. They vault over the irregular surface of the cornea, creating a smooth optical interface that soft lenses cannot replicate.
GP/RGP lenses also allow more oxygen to reach the cornea than many soft lens materials, which is particularly important for patients in Colorado's dry, high-altitude environment where lens comfort is already harder to maintain. If you have been told you are not a candidate for contact lenses, a GP/RGP evaluation may change that answer.
MiSight® Contact Lenses for Children with Myopia
Dr. Alexa Gutierrez is certified in the Brilliant Futures™ MiSight® Program—one of the few FDA-approved contact lens treatments designed to slow the progression of myopia in children. MiSight® lenses are worn daily and have been clinically shown to reduce myopia progression compared to standard single-vision correction. If your child’s prescription has changed significantly over the past year or two, a myopia management consultation with Dr. Gutierrez is the right next step.
A specialty fitting is required when the standard contact lens fitting process cannot produce a comfortable, stable, well-corrected result. This typically applies to patients with irregular corneal shapes (keratoconus, scarring, post-surgical changes), very high prescriptions, or a history of failed fits with standard soft lenses.
Yes. Keratoconus does not disqualify you from wearing contact lenses; it often means soft lenses are the wrong type. Gas-permeable (GP/RGP) lenses vault over the irregular corneal surface to create a stable, well-corrected fit. Focus Vision provides keratoconus contact lens evaluations and fits GP/RGP lenses for patients with this condition.
Gas-permeable lenses are rigid contact lenses that hold their shape on the eye. Unlike soft lenses, which conform to the corneal surface, GP/RGP lenses vault over irregularities and create a smooth optical surface. They allow high levels of oxygen transmission and are often the best option for patients with keratoconus, irregular astigmatism, or a history of poor soft lens comfort.
A specialty fitting involves a more detailed evaluation of corneal shape, tear film, and ocular surface than a standard contact lens exam. It usually requires a dedicated appointment, and follow-up visits are often needed to confirm the fit is stable and comfortable over time. The process takes longer, but it is the only reliable way to find a lens that works for complex eyes.
Keratoconus
Irregular Cornea
An irregular cornea, whether from corneal scarring, post-surgical changes, or natural variation, prevents soft lenses from sitting correctly on the eye. Specialty lens designs, including GP/RGP options, can provide the stable fit and clear vision that standard lenses cannot deliver for these patients.
High Astigmatism and Unstable Toric Fits
Soft toric lenses correct astigmatism for most patients, but they can rotate on the eye or lose stability for patients with higher levels of astigmatism or unusual corneal curvature. When a soft toric lens cannot maintain a consistent axis, your vision will fluctuate throughout the day. Gas-permeable toric and custom-designed lenses can provide the stable correction that standard soft torics cannot.
Multifocal Contact Lenses for Presbyopia
Conditions We Fit Specialty Lenses For
Focus Vision provides specialty contact lens fittings for patients with the following conditions and situations:
- Keratoconus
- Irregular cornea
- Corneal scarring
- Post-surgical corneal changes
- High prescription not correctable with soft lenses
- Previous failed contact lens fittings
- Chronic discomfort with standard soft lenses
- Childhood myopia requiring management (MiSight®)
Schedule a Specialty Contact Lens Consultation
Specialty contact lens fittings take more time and clinical precision than a standard contact lens exam. At Focus Vision, we evaluate your eye health, corneal shape, and vision needs before recommending a lens design. Follow-up appointments are often part of the process to confirm fit and comfort over time.
Call (303) 651-2020 or book online to request a specialty contact lens consultation. We are open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.