Blur due to Irregular Cornea

Refractive surgery, corneal transplants, infections and corneal syndromes like Keratoconus are among the many potential causes for irregular corneas. An irregular cornea results in symptoms of blur and distortion that glasses and most contact lenses are unable to correct.  Visual symptoms from an irregular cornea are constant, but often worsen in dim light when the pupil is more dilated.

In the past, some of these individuals were fit with rigid gas-permeable (RGP) contact lenses.  RGP lenses do not conform to the shape of the eye like a soft lens does.  Instead the RGP’s rigid structure allows tears to fill in behind the lens and create an optically smooth surface for light to enter the eye and provide improved vision.  Unfortunately, RGP lenses are too uncomfortable for most patients, are easily lost, and can cause scarring to the front surface of the eye.

ClearKone Lens Design

ClearKone is a new hybrid contact lens product that has both the comfort of a soft lens combined with the acuity benefits of a rigid lens.  ClearKone is an improvement upon other similar hybrid products because its unique design is more comfortable and easier to remove than older hybrid lenses.

Special expertise is required to fit the ClearKone lens.  Currently, Dr. Ryan Nelson, optometrist at Iowa EyeCare in Cedar Rapids, is the only physician in  Iowa approved fit ClearKone lenses.  Dr. Nelson gives each ClearKone candidate extensive one-on-one time during the fitting process to ensure a good contact lens fit the first time.

“The ClearKone design is sure to revolutionize the way patients with irregular corneas are managed.  Some of my patients have been overwhelmed with emotion when they experience the ClearKone lens for the first time,” says Dr. Nelson.

To schedule an appointment or to learn more about ClearKone lenses, call Iowa EyeCare at 319-377-2222.

Contact us at www.iowaeyecare.com.

Learn more about one of the most common vision problems from the eye doctors at Iowa EyeCare.

By Dr. David Christensen

Astigmatism is the most common ‘refractive’ vision problem that I see in my patients. Astigmatism occurs when the front surface of the eye has a non-spherical curvature. Instead, the front surface of the eye is more flat along one axis and more curved on the opposite axis, 90-degrees away. For this reason, astigmatism correction is called “cylinder” power.

Most often, Astigmatism is hereditary. Other causes of astigmatism include eye disease, injury, or surgery to the eyes.

Glasses and contact lenses are the most common methods I use for correcting astigmatism. Astigmatism can be permanently treated using LASIK surgery. Our Robins, Iowa, location may be reached by calling 319-294-8888 if you would like to learn more about LASIK surgery.

By Dr. Ryan W. Nelson

Astigmatism is the most common refractive condition.  It’s different from being nearsighted or farsighted.  Astigmatism means that light entering the eye is not focusing in one place.  Instead light is being scattered and the result is blurred vision. 

Most often, astigmatism results from misshapenness on the front surface of the eye (the cornea).  Instead of the cornea being spherical like the side of a basketball, it’s shaped more like the side of a football, flatter in one area and steeper in the other areas. 

At Iowa EyeCare we correct astigmatism using glasses, contact lenses, or even LASIK surgery.  If you aren’t seeing as well as you think you should, it just might be astigmatism that’s causing a problem.  Schedule an appointment today in either of our Marion, Robins or Cedar Rapids, Iowa, locations to find our which treatment options are right for you.