Standard contact lenses don’t work for everyone. Dr. J.C. Mungar fits specialty contact lenses in Oakville for patients with keratoconus, irregular corneas, high astigmatism, chronic dry eye, and complex prescriptions where regular lenses fail to provide clear, comfortable vision.
Most contact lenses are designed for eyes with regular corneal shapes and straightforward prescriptions. But a significant portion of the population has eye conditions that make standard lenses impractical or impossible. Keratoconus, corneal scarring, post-surgical irregularity, severe dry eye, and high astigmatism all present challenges that specialty contact lens fitting is specifically designed to solve.
At Dr. J.C. Mungar Optometry in Oakville, we offer a range of specialty lens options. Many patients who have been told they “can’t wear contacts” discover that with the right lens type and a meticulous fitting process, they can achieve excellent vision and all-day comfort.
Scleral lenses are large-diameter gas-permeable (GP) lenses that vault over the entire cornea and rest on the white of the eye (the sclera), rather than on the cornea itself. The space between the lens and the cornea is filled with saline solution, creating a smooth, regular optical surface regardless of the shape of the underlying cornea. This makes scleral lenses the gold standard for keratoconus, corneal scarring, post-LASIK complications, severe dry eye, and other forms of corneal irregularity. Many patients experience dramatic vision improvement compared to glasses or standard contacts.
RGP lenses are smaller than sclerals and sit directly on the corneal surface. They provide outstanding optical clarity, especially for high astigmatism and irregular corneas. Because they are rigid, they maintain their shape on the eye, creating a consistent optical surface. RGP lenses are highly durable and economical over time, and are an excellent option for patients with moderate irregular corneas who cannot wear soft lenses successfully.
Hybrid lenses combine a rigid gas-permeable centre with a soft lens skirt. The GP centre provides the crisp optics needed for irregular corneas and high astigmatism, while the soft skirt provides the comfort and stability that makes lens wear practical for all-day use. Ideal for patients who want the visual quality of an RGP with comfort closer to a soft lens.
Patients with higher degrees of astigmatism are often told that “toric lenses don’t come in your prescription.” Custom-made soft toric lenses are manufactured to individual specifications, allowing patients with unusual prescriptions to wear soft contact lenses comfortably and clearly.
Fitting specialty lenses requires a higher level of skill and patience than standard contact lens fittings. Dr. Mungar’s decades of clinical experience in Oakville means complex cases are handled with precision.
We are not limited to one type or manufacturer. Dr. Mungar selects from scleral, RGP, hybrid, and custom soft options to find the best fit for your specific eye anatomy and lifestyle.
For patients whose dry eye makes contact lens wear uncomfortable, we address the dry eye component first with LipiFlow or BlephEx, then proceed with specialty lens fitting for the best possible outcomes.
For most keratoconus patients, scleral lenses are the gold standard. They vault completely over the irregular corneal surface, providing a smooth, stable optical platform that glasses and standard contacts cannot. Many patients with keratoconus who previously could not get functional vision with glasses experience dramatic improvement with scleral lenses. The fitting process takes several visits, but the result is well worth it.
The fitting fees and lenses for specialty contacts may be partially covered by extended health benefits, particularly when medically necessary (such as keratoconus). Coverage varies widely by plan. We recommend contacting your benefits provider before your fitting appointment to understand your eligibility.
The specialty lens fitting process typically involves an initial consultation with corneal mapping, one or more trial fitting appointments, and a dispensing and training appointment once lenses are ordered. Allow 4 to 8 weeks from your initial appointment to receiving your final lenses. Follow-up visits are included in the fitting process.
Most patients adapt to wearing scleral lenses comfortably for 10 to 14 hours per day. Because the saline reservoir between the lens and cornea acts as a constant moisture chamber, scleral lenses are often more comfortable for all-day wear than standard contact lenses, especially for patients with dry eye.
If you have been told you can’t wear contacts, or if standard lenses have never given you clear, comfortable vision, it’s worth talking to Dr. Mungar about specialty options. Call our Oakville clinic at (905) 842-3411 or book online.
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Monday August 3 through Friday August 7
We reopen Monday August 10 at 8 a.m.
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If you have an urgent eye concern during this week, please visit your nearest walk in clinic or emergency department.
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