Hard-to-Fit Contact Lenses

Contact lenses are not always a simple solution for every vision problem. Certain eye conditions can make wearing standard contacts uncomfortable—or even impossible. However, this does not eliminate the option of wearing contacts altogether. Many patients simply need a specialized fitting and customized lens design to comfortably achieve clear vision.

Meeting with an eye care provider experienced in hard-to-fit lenses is the key to finding the right option for your eyes.

Conditions That May Require Hard-to-Fit Contact Lenses

Several common and advanced eye conditions can make standard soft contact lenses difficult to tolerate:

Astigmatism

Astigmatism occurs when the cornea curves more like an oval than a sphere, causing blurry or distorted vision. Regular contact lenses cannot compensate for this irregular shape.

Dry Eye

Excessively dry eyes can cause irritation, burning, redness, and blurred vision. Contact lenses may worsen these symptoms by reducing moisture on the surface of the eye.

Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis (GPC)

GPC is inflammation on the inner surface of the eyelid. Protein buildup on contact lenses can worsen symptoms and make lens wear uncomfortable.

Keratoconus & Irregular Corneas

Keratoconus causes the cornea to thin and bulge into a cone shape. Other corneal conditions—such as post-LASIK ectasia, corneal scarring, or post-transplant irregularity—can also make standard contacts ineffective. Patients with these conditions often require highly specialized lenses for clear, stable vision.

Presbyopia

With age, the eye has more difficulty focusing up close. This natural condition, typically beginning around age 40, often requires multifocal or specialty lens designs.

Solutions for Hard-to-Fit Contacts

Wearing contacts is possible even with these challenges, as long as the right lens technology is used. After a thorough evaluation, your eye care provider will recommend lenses designed specifically for your visual needs and corneal shape.

Scleral Lenses for Complex Corneas & Advanced Disease

Scleral lenses are large, gas-permeable lenses that vault over the cornea and rest gently on the sclera (the white part of the eye).

They are ideal for:

  • Keratoconus

  • Post-LASIK or post-surgical irregular corneas

  • Corneal scarring

  • Severe dry eye or ocular surface disease

  • Advanced corneal ectasia

Scleral lenses provide exceptional comfort, stable vision, and a reservoir of fluid beneath the lens that protects and hydrates the eye.

Gas Permeable (GP) Lenses

GP lenses offer crisp, stable vision and are useful for conditions like keratoconus, GPC, and irregular corneas.

Toric Lenses

Designed for astigmatism, toric lenses must stay aligned with the eye’s curvature to work properly. These lenses are often custom-made and may require a longer fitting process.

Bifocal & Multifocal Lenses

These lenses help patients with presbyopia see clearly at both distance and near. Monovision lenses—where one eye is corrected for distance and the other for near—are another effective option.

Supportive Treatments for Dry Eye and GPC

Medicated eye drops, punctal occlusion, and allergy treatments can help relieve symptoms so lenses are more comfortable to wear.

Stop Struggling With Hard-to-Fit Contacts

You don’t have to give up on contact lenses.

Contact us today for a comprehensive evaluation and let us help you find a comfortable, customized solution for your eyes.