RGP and Scleral contact lenses
RGP contact lenses for the treatment of keratoconus
RGP is an abbreviation for Rigid Gas Permeable contact lens. These are rigid or hard contact lenses made of special material similar to glass, but differs from it significantly in being able to permit the passage of Oxygen from the atmosphere to the cornea, hence maintaining corneal health. As RGP lenses are rigid, they can neutralise the irregular surface of the cornea in many cases of keratoconus and other causes of corneal irregularity.
How can RGP lenses be useful in keratoconus?
Among other options for vision correction in cases with keratoconus, RGP lenses actually can give the best vision possible, unlike any other corrective form, and more and more so with its newly introduced scleral lenses. These rigid transparent contact lenses provide a smooth surface in front of the cornea, offering a high quality vision, not possible with another method. Because the lens is rigid, the tears between the lens and the cornea form a ‘liquid lens,’ which smoothes the irregularities of the cornea and makes clear vision possible again. Soft lenses wrap onto the cornea and take up its shape much more closely than rigid lenses, are less successful at correcting keratoconus. Soft contacts can be used for mild keratoconus when performing sports, especially contact sports. But they offer limited improvement in vision in more advanced keratoconus.
RGP contact lens fitting at Dr Khalil Eye Clinic in Cairo
Dr Khalil performs custom fitting for RGP contact lens for an individual’s eyes with assistance from full range trial sets and a “color map” that depicts the topography of the cornea. This helps, with experience, to choose the best lens to fit. After fitting session, anwhen the suitable curve, diameter and power prove comfortable and giving the best eyesight vision, it will be ordered and custom made for your eye measurements at thesupervision of Dr Khalil. He usually prescribes these RGP lenses after having the suitable treatment of keratoconus and stabilisation of the cornea using such techniques like collagen crosslinking.
Scleral Lenses: a great news for patients with Keratoconus
If you have keratoconus, rigid gas permeable lenses might be the best option to give excellent vision. Scleral contact lenses are largeer diameter RGP lenses specially designed to vault over the entire corneal surface and rest on the white of the eye or sclera. In doing so, scleral lenses functionally replace the irregular cornea with a perfectly smooth optical surface to correct vision problems caused by keratoconus and other corneal irregularities.
Rose-K RGP Contact Lenses for cases with keratoconus
Rose-K RGP contact lenses are developed to provide custom fitting to individual keratoconus eyes. They are named for its creator, Paul Rose, a New Zealand optometrist. He recognized that there was a need for contact lenses that could better conform to the shape of the cornea.
What makes the Rose-K lens so effective at correcting vision when there are irregularities of the cornea present? The lens fits perfectly over irregularly-shaped eyes, providing the patient with a clear vision. Rose-K lenses can be customized to fit any eye and can, therefore, correct any astigmatism and refractive error caused by keratoconus. The design is also highly breathable, helping keep the eye healthy while adjusting vision and providing all-day comfort. Also, these lenses are incredibly easy to insert, wear, remove, and maintain.
