Eye Conditions Leading to Prosthetic Lenses
There are many conditions, infections and injuries that can lead to disfigurement of the human eye. These unfortunate circumstances can lead to self-consciousness about one’s appearance. Prosthetic contact lenses can be custom designed to accurately match the appearance of the unaffected eye to make the affected eye less noticeable. Removing this awkwardness can give the individual higher self-confidence.
One condition that can be satisfactorily corrected with prosthetic contact lenses is aniridia. Aniridia is an absent or partially absent iris (incomplete pupil formation) leading to poor vision or photophobia (light sensitivity). The use of opaque hydrogel lenses for this condition can improve cosmesis and reduce discomfort caused by photophobia.
Another condition that causes photophobia is albinism. Albinism is a complete or partial lack of pigment in skin, hair and eyes due to an absence or defect of an enzyme involved in the production of melanin. The resulting photophobia reduces visual acuity due to light scattering within the eye. Prosthetic contact lenses used to combat albinism render similar results as when used to treat aniridia.
Amblyopia, sometimes called lazy-eye, can also be treated with prosthetic contact lenses. It means that visual stimulation either fails to transmit or is poorly transmitted through the optic nerve to the brain continuously. The treatment is achieved by fitting the unaffected eye with a contact lens having an opaque black center to hinder the good eye and force the other eye to operate at a higher capacity.
Injuries are also a common cause leading to treatment with a contact lens. High speed projectiles such as racquetballs or paintballs can tear the colored part of the eye away from its base. The resulting disfigurement can create other paths for light to enter the eye and cause symptoms like photophobia, double vision or glare. Getting fitted for a prosthetic contact lens corrects this down to a normal opening.
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