SPECIALTY CONTACT LENS FITTING THE IRREGULAR CORNEA

Hull Auditorium

Introduction: When light enters the eye, the cornea is the first focusing lens. Any irregularity of the cornea can disrupt this focus, whether it is post traumatic, post inflammatory, post surgical or a primary, progressive corneal ectasia. Specialty contact lenses can minimize the irregular surface and enhance the vision of a patient suffering from one of these conditions. Case Presentation: Case reports of three patients with common corneal irregularities will be discussed. The first, a 26 year old African American keratoconus patient with a central cone. The second, a 50 year old Caucasian male keratoconus patient with an inferior cone. The final, a 53 year old Hispanic woman with a history of radial keratotomy (RK). Deviation from 7 Expected: This report will discuss various contact lens fitting options available for various keratoconus presentations and will also highlight contact lens options for post refractive surgery ectasias. Discussion: Keratoconus the most common primary corneal ectasia with a prevalence of approximately 54 per 100,000.1 Corneal ectasias following surgery are defined by progressive corneal thinning and irregular astigmatism and can be seen in patients post graft or refractive surgery.4 Fitting options for both conditions include rigid gas permeable lenses, hybrid lenses and scleral lenses. Conclusion: Specialty contact lens fitting can improve vision in patients with irregular corneas that could otherwise not be achieved though conventional contact lenses or spectacles. This report will expose the primary eye practitioner to specialty contact lens options available for patients with irregular corneas.