Contact lenses
A rigorous fitting, including for challenging corneas.
Contact lenses are placed directly on the eye. A rigorous fitting and a check of the eye's compatibility with the chosen lens are essential. Wearing an unsuitable or poorly maintained lens can cause many complications, from simple irritation to loss of vision (acanthamoeba keratitis).
Expertise for every need
There are many lens materials and geometries, and the choice of cleaning solution is just as important. Today, soft lenses can correct almost any vision defect, even presbyopia, and some materials even allow overnight wear for a number of nights.
The Schepens Eye Clinic has developed particular expertise in flexible and mini-scleral lenses (the SPOT scleral lens). They greatly improve the vision of patients with large refractive defects (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism) and of those with a diseased cornea (keratoconus, after radial keratotomy, after corneal graft). In these cases, reimbursement of the lenses by the mutual insurers may be possible.
Orthokeratology
We also fit patients with orthokeratology: lenses worn at night reshape the cornea and avoid wearing lenses during the day. This technique is particularly useful for patients too young for surgery who cannot wear lenses for their sport, such as swimming.
How the fitting works
After the initial consultation, a pair of trial lenses is ordered. At the second consultation, handling and care are explained to you in detail and you leave with your lenses on your eyes. You are seen again three weeks later to assess the quality of vision, tolerance and the condition of the eye under the microscope. If all is well, you can order your lenses; otherwise, another trial pair is ordered.
Follow-up and precautions
An annual check is advised for every lens wearer, with the lenses on the eyes, to verify vision, tolerance and the fundus. In case of redness, remove your lenses immediately and place them in their case; if the redness persists or worsens after a night, contact the Centre for an urgent appointment, without putting the lenses back in, and bring your case so the lenses can be analysed in the event of infection.
