Contact Lenses

Interested in trying contacts? Had problems with contact lenses in the past?

Our optometrists have had many years of experience fitting contact lenses. So whether you are totally new to the world of contact lenses, or hoping to achieve better vision or comfort with your existing contact lenses, we can help you.

Modern contact lenses are also healthier for the eye and more comfortable than ever before. The new multifocal contact lenses now also cater for people who have problems with their reading vision.

At Bayside Eyecare, our optometrists will be able to select the right lens for you. Allow 30 mins for a contact lens fitting appointment.

What is Keratoconus?

Keratoconus is a progressive eye condition that causes the cornea, which is the front surface of the eye, to become thinner overtime and form an irregular, cone-like shape. This irregular corneal shape prevents light from focusing properly on the back of the eye, leading to distorted, blurry vision and glare especially at night. It often begins in the teenage years or early adulthood especially for individuals who have a history of allergies or eye rubbing. Keratoconus can worsen over time, quality of vision if not managed well. 

Some individuals develop keratoconus without a family history but sometimes this condition has a genetic component. If your relative has this condition it is important to be screened and have your eyes monitored routinely.  

Common symptoms of keratoconus include:

• Blurred or distorted vision even when spectacles are worn
• Increased glare sensitivity especially for night driving
• Rapid increase in glasses prescription, especially astigmatism 

For early stages of keratoconus, some individuals may achieve good vision with just glasses or soft contact lenses. However, for moderate or advanced stages of keratoconus, soft lenses may not fit properly on the irregular cone which is why Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) lenses are often prescribed. There are different types of RGP lenses including scleral lenses or corneal lenses. These  lenses are highly customisable and often corrects vision much better than just regular soft lenses.

Scleral Lenses

Scleral lenses are a type of RGP lenses that vaults over the cornea, creating a fluid filled space between the lens and the front part of the eye. This provides the keratoconic individuals with an irregularly shaped cornea with visual clarity and comfort. Besides keratoconus, scleral lenses also help to provide good vision for individuals with other types of irregular corneas such as pellucid marginal degeneration (PMD).

Benefits of scleral lenses for keratoconus:

• Improved visual acuity compared to traditional soft lenses
• Enhanced comfort due to the fluid-filled cushion
• Increased lens stability and reduced risk of lens dislodgement
• Relief from dryness and irritation often associated with corneal disease
• Suitable for patients who work in a dusty environment as the edges prevent debris from getting underneath the lenses
• Delays the need for a corneal graft for rapidly progressing cones
• Offer stable vision for sports – unlike corneal RGPs that can dislodge or move on the eye a lot, scleral lenses do not move on the eye as much and do not fall out during sport.

Personalised Care and Fitting

Fitting scleral lenses requires specialised expertise and advanced diagnostic tools. At Bayside Eyecare, we use the advanced corneal mapping technology and scans to ensure a customized fit tailored to each patient’s unique eye shape. Our goal is to restore optimal vision while maximising comfort and eye health.

Call us to schedule a consultation today to explore whether scleral lenses are the right solution for your vision needs.

Order Lenses

If you are an existing client at Bayside Eyecare and/ or have a valid contact lens prescription, you can now order your lenses directly online.

You are welcome to collect them from the store. Alternatively, if it is more convenient for you, we can post them direct to your work or home.