With so many lens manufacturers each producing many varieties of lenses how do you know which lens is for you? At Vision Professionals, our doctors keep well-informed of emerging technologies. We will recommend the lenses that will work best for your eyes and your lifestyle.

Our doctors fit contact lenses made by all the major manufacturers as wells as lenses from smaller custom labs. Due to his vast experience in contact lenses, Dr. Smiley often fits patients whom other doctors may consider difficult or impossible to fit. Dr. Smiley finds that patients who have not had past success with contact lenses are now able to enjoy contact lens wear.

As an expert in the field of contact lenses, Dr. Smiley stays involved in research and development of the newest products associated with contact lenses, lectures at professional meetings and Ohio State University, and has published articles in professional contact lens literature. You can be assured that our doctors will provide the highest quality of contact lens care for you whether your needs are as straightforward as soft disposable lenses or as complex as fitting contact lenses for keratoconus.

Dr. Smiley is one of a small select few who have extensive experience in contact lens treatment with Scleral Contact Lenses. Scleral lenses are custom, highly specialized, large diameter gas permeable lens that are used for managing a variety of eye conditions. They are made to “vault” the cornea and gently rest on the sclera, or white part of the eye, hence, the name “scleral”. The advantages of scleral contact lenses include; superior treatment of highly irregular corneas, dramatic improvement of lens comfort on sensitive eyes, excellent optics for irregular corneas providing clear vision not obtainable through use of conventional contacts, and constant corneal hydration for cases of severe dry eye. Scleral lenses are uniquely customized for each patient based on their individual needs. The complexity involved in the fitting process and expertise required to fit these lenses explains why Dr. Smiley is widely known for his fitting of scleral contact lenses. The outcomes for our patients have been true miracles and were a last resort for many of them!

Scleral lenses are generally for patients who have corneal irregularities, dry eyes, or are intolerant to traditional contact lenses. Our doctors may recommend these to you if you are a good candidate. Your insurance company may even help pay for the lenses and the fitting process.

The following is a partial list of indications for which a Scleral Lens can be considered:
 

• Corneal ectasia such as keratoconus and pellucid marginal degeneration.
• Corneal deformities following a corneal transplant (keratoplasty) or refractive treatment such as radial keratometry (RK).
• Severe dry eye due to disorders of the lacrimal gland such as keratoconjunctivis sicca and Sjogren’s syndrome.
• Corneal surface irregularities due to ocular surface disease, anterior corneal dystrophies, and scars.
• Neurotrophic keratitis resulting from herpes simplex or zoster keratitis, congenital corneal disorders, diabetes, and other nerve disorders.
• Persistent epithelial erosions due to a fragile epithelium.
• Corneal stem cell deficiencies resulting from Stevens-Johnson syndrome,ocular pemphigoid,chemical and thermal injuries, and aniridia.
• Intolerance to traditional contact lenses.

   

  Keratoconus

  Keratoconus is a progressive degeneration of the cornea characterized by thinning, steepening, and advancing distortion of the corneal surface. The disease results in gradual loss of clear vision with progressive distortion of images. The first line of treatment for keratoconus is the use of contact lenses to mask the surface distortion. Contact lenses can provide more-improved corrected vision in comparison to glasses. For more information, visit www.nkcf.org

  For more information on contact lenses, visit www.contactlenses.org

  Please feel free to contact our office to schedule a consultation to find out if our Specialty Lens Clinic can help you. Worthington: 614-846-7574 New Albany: 614-855-7574