Contact lenses, tried, true and maybe for you. While it is true that most patients seeking vision correction surgery turn out to be candidates and can realize a dramatic reduction in their need for glasses or contacts, surgery is not for everyone. Fortunately, contact lens technology has improved over the last few years. On top of that, we at Capitol Eye Care have one of the most skilled and experienced contact lens providers in the entire Midwest in Dr. Mitchell Loftin, O.D.

One example of an eye condition which precludes a patient from being a LASIK candidate is Keratoconus. Keratoconus is a degenerative condition of the cornea in which the cornea becomes progressively less spherical and more “cone-shaped” over time. Some patients with Keratoconus eventually require cornea transplants. In general, the highest quality of vision for patients with Keratoconus is obtained with contact lenses. As one might imagine, fitting a contact lens on a cone shaped cornea is difficult, somewhat akin to fitting a square peg in a round hole. Frequently, getting a good contact lens fit for a Keratoconus patient requires the use of a specialty contact such as the Rose-k (www.roseklens.com) or Synergeyes (www.synergeyes.com) lenses. Fitting such lenses can be tricky and several visits may be required. Additional information regarding Keratoconus can be obtained from the National Keratoconus Foundation at www.nkcf.org.

One trend we have noticed in the contact lens industry is the increasing use of soft contact lenses on an “extended wear” schedule. While some patients seem to do just fine sleeping in their contacts, the truth is that a few such patients will end up with painful, and sometimes sight-threatening, complications. To us, it’s just not worth it. We insist that our patients not routinely sleep in their contacts and require our patients to agree not to in the form of a written contract. We feel vision is precious, we will not recommend a risky surgery, and we will not recommend risky contact lens practices either. That said, should you decide to try contact lenses, you can count on Dr. Loftin to provide you with professional fitting, instruction, and every likelihood of contact lens success.