If glasses or standard contacts leave you with blurred vision, discomfort, or limited options, specialty contact lenses may offer another path. These lenses provide more ways to customize vision correction for people with keratoconus, very high prescriptions, irregular corneas, significant dry eyes, and other challenging conditions.
At InSight EyeCare, Dr. Mark Sturm and Dr. Daniel Bui combine extensive experience, advanced diagnostic technology, and individualized fitting to help patients explore those possibilities. We welcome patients from Cibolo, Schertz, Selma, Universal City, New Braunfels, San Antonio, and surrounding communities, including those referred by their optometrist or ophthalmologist.
What are specialty contact lenses
Specialty contact lenses offer designs, materials, and prescription options beyond conventional soft contacts. Depending on your needs, we can customize the lens shape, diameter, curvature, optical design, and how it rests on your eye.
Some specialty lenses create a more regular focusing surface over an irregular cornea. Others accommodate prescriptions outside standard lens ranges, protect a compromised ocular surface, or improve the appearance of an injured eye. The right choice depends on your eye health, anatomy, vision goals, and previous experience with contacts.
Who can benefit from specialty lenses
A specialty contact lens evaluation may be helpful if you have:
Keratoconus or corneal ectasia, which can distort the cornea and make vision difficult to correct with glasses.
Very high prescriptions or significant astigmatism that fall outside conventional contact lens options.
Corneal scarring or irregularity following an injury, eye disease, corneal transplant, LASIK, or radial keratotomy.
Significant dry eye, including situations where discomfort previously forced you to stop wearing contacts.
Difficulty with multifocal contacts, such as unsatisfactory distance or reading vision.
Iris abnormalities or changes in eye appearance related to an injury or congenital condition.
A previous unsuccessful contact lens fitting does not necessarily mean you cannot wear contacts. A different design or fitting approach may help, although an evaluation is necessary to determine what is appropriate for your eyes.
Specialty contact lens options at InSight EyeCare
Scleral contact lenses
Scleral lenses vault over the cornea and rest on the tissue covering the white of the eye. A reservoir of preservative-free saline beneath the lens helps maintain a hydrated surface while the rigid optics provide a more uniform surface for focusing light.
These lenses can be particularly helpful for keratoconus, irregular corneas, corneal transplants, and certain cases of severe dry eye. They may also provide an option for patients who could not comfortably wear conventional contacts.
Learn more about scleral contact lenses
Rigid gas permeable contact lenses
Rigid gas permeable lenses, often called RGP or GP lenses, retain their shape while allowing oxygen to pass through the material. Smaller corneal GP lenses rest directly on the tear film over the cornea and can provide clear, stable vision for selected patients with astigmatism, keratoconus, or complex prescriptions.
Our options include custom and multifocal designs. Lens selection considers both visual performance and the adaptation needed for comfortable wear.
Learn more about rigid gas permeable lenses
Hybrid contact lenses
Hybrid lenses combine a rigid gas permeable center with a soft outer skirt. The center provides the optical benefits of a rigid lens, while the surrounding soft material helps support positioning and comfort.
They may be appropriate for certain patients with keratoconus, irregular corneas, or prescriptions that are difficult to correct with standard soft lenses.
Learn more about hybrid contact lenses
Custom soft contact lenses
Custom soft lenses expand the prescription, size, and curvature options available beyond standard manufactured lenses. They can be useful for very high nearsightedness or farsightedness, significant astigmatism, and eyes that need a different fit.
Custom multifocal options may also help selected patients who need both distance and near correction. For some irregular corneas, specially designed soft lenses offer another approach worth evaluating.
Learn more about custom soft contact lenses
Prosthetic contact lenses
Prosthetic contact lenses are designed to address specific cosmetic or functional concerns. Depending on the design, they may help disguise corneal scarring, recreate the appearance of an iris, or reduce light sensitivity associated with an absent or damaged iris.
Other specialized designs may be used to block vision in one eye when medically appropriate. We evaluate the underlying condition and discuss realistic expectations for appearance, comfort, and visual function.
Learn more about prosthetic contact lenses
EyePrintPRO
EyePrintPRO uses an impression of the ocular surface to help create a highly individualized lens. This approach can accommodate complex contours that may be difficult to fit with other lens designs.
It may be considered for particularly challenging eyes or when previous specialty lenses have not provided an acceptable fit. Our doctors will determine whether an impression-based approach offers a meaningful benefit for your situation.
Orthokeratology
Orthokeratology, or Ortho-K, uses specially designed lenses worn during sleep to temporarily reshape the cornea. Eligible patients may enjoy clear daytime vision with less reliance on glasses or daytime contacts. Continued prescribed wear is necessary to maintain the effect.
Ortho-K can be considered for suitable adults and may also be recommended as part of a child's myopia management plan. Candidacy, careful hygiene, and ongoing monitoring are essential.
What to expect during your specialty lens fitting
Specialty lens fitting is a process of evaluation, customization, and follow-up.
Understanding your needs. We review your eye health, prescription, previous lens experiences, and the activities where your vision matters most.
Measuring your eyes. Depending on your needs, Pentacam imaging, Medmont corneal mapping, anterior segment OCT, and scleral profilometry help us evaluate corneal shape, ocular surface contours, and lens clearance. Impression-based fitting is available when appropriate.
Selecting and refining the design. When indicated, diagnostic lenses help us assess vision, fit, and comfort before ordering your lenses. Further adjustments may be needed as we evaluate their performance.
Dispensing and training. When your lenses are ready, we assess them on your eyes and teach you how to insert, remove, clean, and care for them.
Following your progress. Follow-up visits allow us to evaluate wearing comfort, vision, and eye health, then refine the fit when needed.
Straightforward cases may be completed in about a week, depending on lens availability. Severe or complex cases can take several months and multiple adjustments. We explain the expected process for your eyes before getting started.
Experience with complex eyes close to home
Dr. Sturm and Dr. Bui bring years of extensive experience, advanced training, and hands-on workshop education to specialty contact lens care. Our practice receives referrals from optometrists and ophthalmologists who need additional fitting expertise and technology for challenging patients.
For severe conditions, we coordinate with ophthalmology so lens care supports the patient's broader treatment plan. Our goal is to make this level of personalized care accessible right here in Cibolo.
Frequently asked questions
Can I wear specialty contacts if dry eyes made me stop wearing regular contacts?
Possibly. Some patients who cannot tolerate conventional soft contacts benefit from a different lens approach, particularly scleral lenses. We evaluate the cause and severity of your dryness, the health of your ocular surface, and whether additional dry eye treatment is needed.
Do specialty lenses cure keratoconus?
No. Specialty lenses can improve vision affected by keratoconus, but they do not stop the condition from progressing. Monitoring and, when indicated, treatment such as corneal cross-linking remain important parts of care.
How much do specialty contact lenses cost?
Costs vary significantly with the lens design, prescription, and complexity of the fitting. Specialty lenses generally cost more than conventional soft contacts because they involve additional customization, measurements, professional time, and follow-up care. We discuss anticipated costs at your consultation, and financing options are available.
Will my vision insurance cover specialty contact lenses?
Some vision plans provide benefits for medically or visually necessary contact lenses when specific criteria are met. Coverage depends on your plan, diagnosis, and eligibility requirements; a specialty lens prescription alone does not guarantee coverage.
Call our office or come in for a consultation so our team can check your benefits and explain your expected out-of-pocket costs.
Schedule a specialty contact lens consultation
Whether you have keratoconus, a very high prescription, significant dry eyes, or a history of unsuccessful contact lens wear, InSight EyeCare can help you explore your options.
Call (210) 659-3937 to schedule a specialty contact lens consultation at 791 FM 1103, Ste 115, Cibolo, TX 78108.
For referring doctors: We welcome specialty contact lens referrals from optometrists and ophthalmologists throughout Cibolo, San Antonio, and surrounding communities. Contact our office to coordinate an evaluation.