Post-graft contact lens fitting:
Patients who are fortunate enough to be gifted with a corneal transplant understand just how integral it is to maintain a high standard of ocular health to maximise the life of their graft. Post-graft contact lens fitting presents a degree of complexity due to the vast differences in corneal shape – astigmatism, asymmetry and irregularity, which can arise after surgery. It is for this reason that these specialised lenses are best fit by an optometrist with experience in complex contact lens fitting.
Hard contact lenses (Rigid Gas Permeable – RGPs) are able to vault over an irregular shaped cornea and provide a regular front optical surface for the eye to focus, cushioned by a fluid layer beneath. There are numerous factors to consider when fitting a contact lens over a corneal graft including:
- The type of corneal graft – Penetrating keratoplasty (full thickness) or Lamellar (layered/partial thickness) graft
- Avoiding contact with the graft-host junction (edge of the graft)
- Tailoring the fit to provide an ideal amount of central and peripheral corneal clearance as well as a correctly contoured fit where the lens lands on the eye.
- Ensuring the corneal tissue is still receiving its necessary oxygen requirements
- Managing any co-existing eye conditions as some may contribute to graft rejection episodes.
At Mark Hinds Optometrists we are leaders and teachers in this field. We pride ourselves on our ability to maximise our patients’ vision with RGP contact lenses whilst maintaining a high standard of graft integrity. This is through the use of modern high oxygen permeable lens materials, the latest in RGP designs – including miniscleral lenses, as well as sourcing start of the art manufacturing technology to customise lenses to even the most unique shaped eyes.
