Contact Lenses
Bespoke lens fitting requires a significant amount of extra tests and time, so for the initial appointment, a time slot of one-and-a-half hours is allocated. The standard comprehensive eye examination is performed along with the following additional examinations and procedures:
01. Corneal Topography
02. Corneal Pachymetry
03. Diagnostic
Lens Fitting
07. Continued Care
06. Follow-up
05. Dispensing
04. Lens
Order
01. Corneal Topography
A specialised photography technique is used to map the surface of the front clear window of the eye. This structure is known as the cornea. This is very similar to a three-dimensional map of the surface of the earth showing features like mountains and valleys. This information is used to fit and design the required contact lens.
02. Corneal Pachymetry
The OCT machine is used to do a quick and painless measurement of the thickness of the cornea. This allows the optometrist to monitor the cornea for any changes and possible progression of conditions like keratoconus.
03. Diagnostic Lens Fitting
After discussing your specific needs and history, a decision will be made as to which lens would be most suitable in your individual case. The information collected from all of the other tests and procedures would also be incorporated into this decision. The optometrist will then put lenses on the eye and evaluate how they are fitting to help assess the fit and design the final lens. This process is not rushed and takes the majority of the time allocated for the appointment.
04. Lens Order
The optometrist will take all of the data gathered during the fitting appointment and design and order a bespoke lens according to your specific parameters and conditions.
05. Dispensing
Upon arrival, the lens is inspected and checked by the optometrist. Once this has been done, a dispensing appointment is arranged. During this appointment, the optometrist will place the lens on the eye to verify that it is fitting correctly and that there are no obvious issues. There is also an instruction session during which you will be instructed on how to place the lens on the eye and the removal technique. You will be shown how to clean and store the lens and provided with all the necessary solutions and equipment required to start you off, as well as the wearing schedule for the first week.
06. Follow-up
There is a one-week follow-up where you will be required to be wearing the lens upon arrival. This appointment allows the optometrist to evaluate the lens after it has been worn for a week and get some valuable feedback on the experience. If any adjustments in terms of fit are needed, the lens will be sent in for the necessary modifications.
07. Continued Care
Several follow-up appointments will be scheduled to ensure ongoing monitoring of the lens and the eye. This helps to ensure that there is compliance as far as lens hygiene is concerned and that the health of the eye is monitored on an ongoing basis.
Hilliar & Gray Optometrists has the expertise, equipment, and experience to assist with all your contact lens needs. We are well-known for our fitting of specialty lenses, such as rigid gas permeable lenses and scleral lenses, which have gained recognition in recent years for improving outcomes for individuals who have struggled to find suitable options through existing modalities.
Soft Contact Lenses
Soft lenses are the most commonly prescribed type of contact lenses. While monthly disposable lenses remain popular, daily disposable lenses are getting more popular. Daily disposable lenses, particularly ideal for special occasions like evenings out, weddings, or days at the beach, offer the flexibility to be spectacle-free. They are also excellent for sports and various activities. Our services extend to offering Myopia control and multifocal soft contact lenses. In cases that require it, we are able to fit specialised prosthetic soft lenses.
During a soft contact lens fitting, a patient begins with a comprehensive eye examination. The optometrist then discusses the available contact lens options with the patient and fits a pair of diagnostic lenses. During the follow-up appointments, we will evaluate the diagnostic lenses and collect feedback from the wearer. Final adjustments are made before finalising, ordering, and dispensing the lens prescription. Thorough instructions on handling and caring for the contact lenses are provided to all patients.
Hard Contact Lenses
Rigid gas permeable contact lenses are made of a firm, durable polymer that can transmit oxygen to the cornea. Because they do not contain water like soft lenses, they promote excellent eye health. Unlike soft lenses, they are more resistant to deposits and less likely to harbor bacteria.
Gas permeable contact lenses clean and disinfect easily, don’t dehydrate, are easier to handle, and last longer than soft lenses.
These lenses are commonly used when the patient has some form of corneal pathology, such as keratoconus, and optimal vision cannot be achieved with normal spectacles or soft contact lenses. When fitting these lenses, we conduct several additional tests to determine the shape and status of the cornea, including corneal topography (measuring the shape of the cornea) and corneal pachymetry (measuring the thickness of the cornea). Gas permeable contact lenses are custom-made for each individual.
The fitting procedure requires multiple appointments, starting with a full eye examination followed by a fitting session where various lenses are tried on to determine the best fit. After the fitting is done, a refraction is performed to establish the necessary prescription for the lens. The final lenses are ordered, and the patient returns for a dispensing appointment where the fit is verified, and instructions on lens handling and cleaning procedures are provided. Several follow-up appointments are scheduled to prevent any potential complications.
Scleral Contact Lenses
Scleral contacts are gas permeable contact lenses with a large diameter, specifically designed to vault over the entire corneal surface and rest on the sclera (the “white” of the eye). By doing so, scleral lenses effectively replace the irregular cornea with a smooth optical surface, correcting vision issues stemming from keratoconus and other corneal irregularities, such as those resulting from corneal graft surgery or trauma.
The space between the cornea and the back surface of a scleral lens acts as a fluid reservoir, offering comfort for individuals with severe dry eyes who may otherwise struggle with wearing contact lenses.
The fitting and dispensing procedure for scleral lenses closely resembles that of hard lenses. Given the specialised nature of these lenses, we schedule frequent follow-up appointments to closely monitor these patients.