Uses for Prosthetic Contact Lenses

Prosthetic contact lenses are created to literally replace the lens of the eye. They are similar to commercially marketed lenses in two ways. They cover the eye lens the same way and care requires regular cleaning and storage. Prosthetic lenses, however, are not disposable. Their uses vary and include covering eye disfigurements, preventing light introduction and correcting vision deficits.

Light Sensitivity

• In cases of corneal laceration and conditions that cause light sensitivity or photophobia, prosthetic contact lenses are often prescribed to reduce symptoms. Severe photophobia can cause headaches, nausea and dizziness. Additional conditions that result in photophobia include cataracts, uveitis, inflammation of the iris and albinism.

Mask Eye Disfigurements

• Eye disfigurements that cause low self-esteem in patients include incomplete pupil formation (aniridia), involuntary eye shaking (nystagmus) and even albinism, which prevents eye pigment formation, leaving the pupil with an almost translucent appearance. Prosthetic contact lenses can disguise these abnormalities.

Correct Amblyopia

• Amblyopia is a condition referred to commonly as lazy eye. Lazy eye presents in infancy and childhood and normally affects one eye. Treatment of this condition is performed by blocking vision in the strong eye in order to correct refraction and enable vision development in the "lazy" eye. Prosthetic contact lenses are one treatment option that is used to block vision in the strong eye.