Berkeley Eye Center - Houston LASIK and Eye Care

Berkeley Eye Center - Houston LASIK and Eye Care

SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT
Advanced Vision Solutions for Hard-to-Fit Eyes

Expert Specialty Contact Lens Fitting in Houston. Trusted by Texans for Over 60 Years

  • Custom Scleral, RGP & Hybrid Lens Solutions
  • Specialized Care for Keratoconus & Corneal Irregularities
  • Experienced Optometrists & Contact Lens Specialists
Schedule Your Specialty Lens Consultation Learn About Scleral Lenses

Advanced Vision Solutions: Specialty Contact Lenses in Houston

For individuals with certain eye conditions like Keratoconus, severe dry eye, or other corneal irregularities, standard soft contact lenses or glasses may not provide adequate vision correction or comfort. Berkeley Eye Center offers specialty contact lens services in Houston, providing customized solutions for hard-to-fit eyes.

Our experienced optometrists and contact lens specialists have fitted thousands of specialty lenses, including scleral lenses, rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses, hybrid lenses, and custom soft lenses, to help you achieve the clearest, most comfortable vision possible.

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Conditions That May Benefit from Specialty Lenses

Our specialists fit specialty lenses for a variety of conditions, including patients who have been unsuccessful with standard contact lenses or glasses:

Keratoconus

  • What it is: Keratoconus is a progressive eye disease where the normally round cornea thins and bulges outward into a cone-like shape, causing distorted and blurred vision that often cannot be fully corrected with glasses or standard soft contacts. Keratoconus is not the same as regular astigmatism — while both cause blurry vision, Keratoconus is a progressive corneal disease, whereas astigmatism is simply an irregularly shaped eye.
  • How Specialty Lenses Help: Lenses like scleral or RGP lenses create a smooth, regular optical surface over the irregular cornea, significantly improving vision clarity.

Severe Dry Eye

  • What it is: A chronic condition where the eyes don’t produce enough tears or the tears evaporate too quickly, causing persistent irritation, redness, and discomfort that can make wearing standard contact lenses impossible.
  • How Specialty Lenses Help: Large-diameter scleral lenses vault over the cornea, creating a reservoir of fluid that continually bathes the eye’s surface. This provides exceptional comfort and hydration for patients with severe dry eye, often allowing them to wear contact lenses comfortably for the first time.

Irregular Astigmatism / Post-Surgical Corneas

  • What it is: Astigmatism caused by an uneven corneal surface due to conditions like Keratoconus, corneal scarring from infection or injury, or previous eye surgeries such as corneal transplant (penetrating keratoplasty/PKP), radial keratotomy (RK), or LASIK. Unlike regular astigmatism, irregular astigmatism cannot be fully corrected with glasses.
  • How Specialty Lenses Help: Rigid lenses (RGP, scleral, hybrid) vault over or mask the corneal irregularity, providing a smoother optical surface for clearer vision.

High Refractive Errors

  • What it is: Very high levels of nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism that may be difficult to correct optimally with standard lenses.
  • How Specialty Lenses Help: Custom-designed lenses can be manufactured to provide the necessary precise correction.

Intolerance to Standard Contact Lenses

  • What it is: Some patients experience persistent discomfort, redness, or dryness with conventional soft contact lenses despite trying multiple brands and care solutions.
  • How Specialty Lenses Help: Rigid lenses (RGP, scleral, hybrid) are made from different materials and sit differently on the eye, often providing relief when soft lenses consistently fail. Scleral lenses, in particular, vault over the cornea entirely and may be more comfortable for patients who cannot tolerate lenses that rest on the corneal surface.

Corneal Thinning Disorders

  • What it is: Conditions like pellucid marginal degeneration, corneal ectasia after LASIK, or other progressive thinning disorders cause the cornea to weaken and distort, resulting in irregular vision.
  • How Specialty Lenses Help: Rigid lenses like scleral or RGP lenses vault over or mask the irregular corneal surface, creating a smooth optical interface that provides stable, clear vision when glasses or soft lenses cannot.

Progressive Myopia in Children

  • What it is: Myopia (nearsightedness) that worsens progressively during childhood and adolescence. Children with rapidly progressing myopia are at higher risk of developing high myopia and associated eye diseases like retinal detachment, glaucoma, and macular degeneration later in life.
  • How Specialty Lenses Help: Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) lenses—worn overnight to gently reshape the cornea—and specialized daytime soft lenses like the FDA-approved MiSight® 1 Day are proven to slow the progression of myopia in children and teens, reducing the risk of high myopia and protecting long-term eye health.

Types of Specialty Contact Lenses We Offer

Berkeley Eye Center provides a range of advanced specialty lens options:

Scleral Lenses

  • Description: Scleral lenses are large-diameter rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses that rest on the sclera (the white part of the eye) rather than sitting on the cornea like traditional RGPs. They vault completely over the cornea, creating a fluid-filled reservoir of saline solution between the lens and the eye’s surface.
  • Benefits: Excellent for irregular corneas (Keratoconus, post-surgery), severe dry eye, and other complex corneal conditions. Provides exceptional comfort and stable vision.
scleral lens
RGP lenses Houston

Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Lenses

  • Description: Smaller-diameter lenses made of a firm, oxygen-permeable material. They provide a smooth, regular refractive surface.
  • Benefits: Offer crisp, clear vision, especially for astigmatism and some corneal irregularities. Durable and deposit-resistant.

Custom Soft Contact Lenses

  • Description: Soft lenses that can be custom-made with a wider range of parameters, diameters, and powers than standard disposables.
  • Benefits: Can provide solutions for higher prescriptions, unique corneal shapes, or specific fitting needs not met by off-the-shelf soft lenses.
custom contact lenses
hard to fit contacts in Houston

Hybrid Contact Lenses

  • Description: Smaller-diameter lenses made of a firm, oxygen-permeable material. They provide a smooth, regular refractive surface.
  • Benefits: Offer crisp, clear vision, especially for astigmatism and some corneal irregularities. Durable and deposit-resistant.

Specialty Lens Types at a Glance

Lens Type

Best For

Key Benefits

Typical Lifespan

Scleral Lenses

Keratoconus, severe dry eye, irregular corneas

Vaults over cornea, fluid reservoir, exceptional comfort

1-2 years

RGP Lenses

Astigmatism, corneal irregularities

Crisp vision, durable, oxygen-permeable

1-2 years

Hybrid Lenses

Astigmatism, patients who want RGP vision with soft lens comfort

Sharp optics with soft lens feel

6-12 months

Custom Soft Lenses

High prescriptions, unique corneal shapes

Tailored parameters beyond standard lenses

Varies (often 1-3 months)

The Specialty Contact Lens Fitting Process

Fitting specialty contact lenses is a more detailed and personalized process than for standard lenses:

  • Comprehensive Eye Exam: Includes precise refraction and a thorough assessment of your corneal health and tear film.
  • Corneal Topography: Detailed mapping of your cornea’s shape and curvature.
  • Lens Selection & Trial Fitting: Your doctor selects the most appropriate lens type and begins the fitting process, often involving trial lenses.
  • Adjustments: Multiple visits may be needed to adjust lens parameters for optimal vision, fit, and comfort.
  • Prescription Finalization: Once the best fit is achieved, the final lens prescription is determined.
  • Care & Handling Training: You’ll receive detailed instructions on inserting, removing, cleaning, and caring for your specialty lenses.
  • Follow-Up Care: Regular follow-up visits are crucial to monitor eye health and lens performance.
vision correction for irregular cornea

FAQs About Specialty Contact Lenses

Care routines vary by lens type. RGP and scleral lenses require specific cleaning and disinfection solutions. Our team provides thorough training to ensure you are comfortable and proficient with the care regimen for your prescribed lenses.

Replacement schedules depend on the lens material and type. RGP and scleral lenses are typically designed to last longer (often a year or more with proper care) than custom soft lenses. Your doctor will advise on the appropriate replacement schedule.

Coverage varies significantly. Some vision plans may cover a portion of the cost for medically necessary contact lenses (e.g., for Keratoconus). We can help you understand your benefits.

There can be an adaptation period, especially for RGP lenses, as they feel different from soft lenses. Scleral lenses are often surprisingly comfortable from the start due to their size and how they rest on the eye. Our fitters work with you to maximize comfort.

Generally, no. Most specialty lenses, particularly RGP and scleral lenses, are not approved for overnight wear unless specifically prescribed by your doctor for therapeutic reasons. Always follow your doctor’s instructions.

Regular soft contact lenses rest on the cornea and are mass-produced in standard sizes. Scleral lenses are large, custom rigid lenses that rest on the white of the eye (sclera) and vault completely over the cornea, creating a fluid-filled space. This design is ideal for irregular corneas, severe dry eye, and conditions like Keratoconus where standard lenses fail.

Yes. Scleral lenses are one of the most effective treatments for Keratoconus. They vault over the irregular, cone-shaped cornea and create a smooth optical surface, providing dramatically clearer vision than glasses or soft lenses. Many Keratoconus patients achieve 20/20 vision or better with properly fitted scleral lenses.

No. While there may be a brief adaptation period, most patients find specialty lenses very comfortable once properly fitted. Scleral lenses, in particular, are often more comfortable than standard contacts because they rest on the less-sensitive white part of the eye and don’t touch the cornea at all.

The fitting process typically requires 2-4 appointments over several weeks. The first visit includes a comprehensive exam and corneal topography. Subsequent visits involve trial lenses and fine-tuning the fit. Once the prescription is finalized, your custom lenses are ordered and you return for final fitting and care training.

Meet Our Specialty Contact Lens Experts

Our experienced optometrists specialize in the precise art of fitting specialty contact lenses for complex eye conditions. With advanced training in scleral lens fitting, corneal topography, and custom lens design, our team has successfully fitted thousands of hard-to-fit eyes.

Dr. Whitney Barker

Whitney Barker, O.D.

Certified Therapeutic Optometrist and Optometric Glaucoma Specialist with over 15 years of comprehensive eye care experience. Specializes in advanced specialty contact lens fittings—including scleral lenses for keratoconus, irregular astigmatism, and severe dry eye—as well as surgical co-management in Kingwood.

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Karlie Bonem, O.D.

Karlie Bonem, O.D.

Certified Therapeutic Optometrist and Optometric Glaucoma Specialist with more than 10 years of clinical experience. Specializes in specialty contact lens fittings, including scleral lenses for complex corneal conditions, as well as evidence-based myopia control for children and advanced glaucoma care at the Houston / Greenway Plaza location.

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dr roosevelt gloyd OD houston eye care doctor e1553021260688

Roosevelt Gloyd III, O.D.

Certified Therapeutic Optometrist and Optometric Glaucoma Specialist with over 20 years of clinical experience. An Adjunct Clinical Professor who specializes in standard and specialty contact lens fittings—including specialized care for keratoconus—as well as the management of complex visual disorders at the Champions and Weslayan locations.

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Thuyuyen Hoang OD 1 scaled 1

Thuyuyen Hoang, O.D.

Certified Therapeutic Optometrist, Optometric Glaucoma Specialist, and clinical research sub-investigator. Specializes in customized specialty contact lens fittings—including scleral and gas-permeable lenses for irregular corneas and keratoconus—as well as pediatric myopia management at the Sugar Land and Pearland locations.

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Dr Paul Palumbo

Paul Palumbo, O.D.

Certified Therapeutic Optometrist and Optometric Glaucoma Specialist who has performed over 50,000 comprehensive eye examinations since 2011. Specializes in advanced medical eye care, pediatric myopia management, and professional scleral contact lens fittings for irregular corneas in Kingwood.

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Kelsea Skidmore OD

Kelsea Skidmore, O.D.

Certified Therapeutic Optometrist, Optometric Glaucoma Specialist, and Fellow of both the American Academy of Optometry and the Scleral Lens Education Society. Serves on the board of the Scleral Lens Education Society and brings a decade of experience in custom scleral and specialty contact lens fittings to the Memorial location.

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Elaine Steffensen OD

Elaine Steffensen, O.D.

Board-Certified Therapeutic Optometrist and residency-trained Optometric Glaucoma Specialist who has treated over 25,000 patients. Specializes in advanced medical eye care and custom specialty contact lens fittings—including multifocal, scleral, and rigid gas permeable lenses—at the Memorial location.

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Together, our team of Houston specialty contact lens experts has helped tens of thousands of patients achieve improved vision and comfort, representing decades of combined clinical experience.

Schedule Your Specialty Contact Lens Evaluation

If you have a complex vision condition like Keratoconus, severe dry eye, or have struggled to find comfortable, clear vision with standard glasses or contacts, specialty lenses may be the solution. Schedule an evaluation with our experienced contact lens specialists at Berkeley Eye Center.

Schedule Your Specialty Lens Consultation