Medically Necessary Contact Lenses for Corneal Disease – Pasco, WA

Patients with corneal conditions, such as keratoconus or scarring, may require specialty contact lenses to achieve clear vision. These individually crafted lenses rebuild a smooth optical surface above a diseased cornea, enhancing vision and comfort by re-contouring the irregular cornea. At Pasco Vision Clinic, we are experts in fitting these lenses using the most advanced technology and precise measurement tools to determine the best lens for you.

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Conditions We Treat

Pasco Vision Clinic corrects numerous corneal disorders necessitating medically necessary contact lenses, such as:

• Keratoconus and Corneal Thinning Disorders: An asymmetric corneal shape resulting from keratoconus or pellucid marginal degeneration can lead to blurred vision. Scleral and specialty lenses establish a new smooth surface to correct these abnormalities.
• Post-Surgical Ectasia: Following LASIK or PRK, patients sometimes develop corneal irregularity ("ectasia"). Specialty lenses adjust for the deformed corneal shape and stabilize vision.
• Corneal Transplants or Scars: Eyes with scars, corneal grafts, or keratoplasty tend to have uneven surfaces. Custom lenses (such as scleral lenses) adapt to these shapes to enhance vision.
• High/Irregular Astigmatism: High or irregular astigmatism cannot be addressed by standard lenses. Custom rigid lenses or hybrids can address even high astigmatism.
• Severe Dry Eye: Patients with chronic dry eye may tolerate only scleral lenses, which vault over the cornea and continuously bathe it in saline. The space behind a scleral lens serves as a moisture reservoir, providing comfort for eyes that cannot wear regular contact lenses.

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Lens Options

Pasco Vision Clinic offers specialty contact lenses:

• Scleral Lenses: Bulky gas-permeable lenses that vault over the cornea, sitting on the white part of the eye. They give relief to the most severe dry eye patients.
• Hybrid Lenses: With a rigid center and a soft outer skirt, they give clear optics and comfort, commonly used for keratoconus and irregular corneas.
• Rigid Gas-Permeable (GP) Lenses: Smaller rigid contact lenses that provide excellent vision for corneal irregularities. Although they are smaller than scleral lenses, they can eliminate corneal distortions. Some patients wear a piggyback system (an RGP over a soft lens) for increased comfort.
• Toric and Custom Soft Lenses: Specialized soft lenses may provide a superior fit to regular lenses for conditions such as high regular astigmatism.
• Orthokeratology (CRT): Corneal Refractive Therapy (nightwear rigid lenses) remodels the cornea during sleep, FDA-approved to retard myopia in kids and support irregular corneas by flattening them when sleeping.

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Fitting Process

Pasco Vision Clinic's contact lens fitting process is comprehensive and tailored:

Step 1: Comprehensive Evaluation
We start with a thorough eye and corneal examination. With state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment (such as corneal topography and high-resolution imaging), we create a precise map of your cornea's shape. We also check your eye health and vision requirements.

Step 2: Trial Lens Fitting
From these measurements, we choose trial lenses to put on your eyes. You will try on a variety of sizes and styles while we measure your fit and vision.

Step 3: Follow-up Adjustments
During follow-up visits, we refine the fit, modify the lens parameters (diameter, curvature, thickness) as necessary, and check your cornea's health. Because specialty lenses are typically handcrafted, this refining process is the most critical factor in achieving the best outcome.

Step 4: Final Dispensing & Care
After the best lens is determined, we dispense your custom prescription and teach you insertion, removal, and care.

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Advanced Technology & Expertise

Pasco Vision Clinic utilizes the latest technology and methodologies to optimize the precision of specialty lens fittings. For instance, we use advanced corneal topography with high-resolution and ocular imaging devices, which provide more accurate measurements of your cornea. This allows us to detect minor asymmetry in corneal curvature before we place a custom lens order.

Our comprehensive eye exams are complemented by Optomap wide-field retinal imaging and OCT (optical coherence tomography) scans, which are essentially the "MRI for the eye." While these instruments test retina and eye health, they also ensure your eyes are ready for a safe fitting. (If underlying eye disease is detected, we detect it early.)

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Meet Our Eye Doctors

• Dr. Adam D. Good, OD, has been with Pasco Vision Clinic since 2007, following the completion of his Doctor of Optometry degree at Pacific University in Oregon. He is an ocular disease specialist with considerable experience in treating corneal conditions. He is, therefore, highly competent at fitting challenging contact lenses for keratoconus and other corneal abnormalities.
• Dr. J.C. Sullivan, OD, is a graduate of Gonzaga University and Southern California College of Optometry. He has a scientific mindset to eye care. Dr. Sullivan worked as a retinal imaging analyst at the Spokane VA before joining Pasco Vision Clinic, where he focused on diabetic eye disease and retinal health.
• Dr. Bill Sullivan, OD, a Tri-Cities native, received his OD from Pacific University College of Optometry. He trained clinically at the Spokane VA and Stuttgart, Germany, and is excited to return the favor to his hometown. His training guarantees every patient, from the young to the elderly, receives individualized care.

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Insurance & Payment Information

Pasco Vision Clinic covers most vision insurance and medical plans; however, medically necessary contact lens coverage is subject to specific requirements. Providers such as VSP, EyeMed, Spectera, and Davis tend to offer benefits for these lenses when standard treatments are not effective. Medical insurance, on the other hand, tends to cover diagnostic care and treatment but not contact lenses. Since plans differ, our staff will review your benefits at no charge.

We offer a range of payment options, including cash, check, and major credit and debit cards. CareCredit offers flexible payment options, as well as the acceptance of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), to help cover the costs of exams, eyewear, and specialty lenses.

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Schedule a Consultation

Ready to enhance your vision with medically necessary contact lenses? Please contact us or email us to schedule your appointment.