Listed on this page are eye medical conditions that we have treated with custom contact lenses to either restore cosmetic appearance and or restore vision. Many of these conditions can not be corrected with the use of ordinary eyeglasses. These special contact lens fittings replace the irregular shape of the cornea to allow light to focus correctly on the retina. Some of these conditions can require very high powered lenses making these patients unsuitable for eyeglass wear. Depending on the medical condition, there are many designs of therapeutic contact lenses to choose from.

Aniseikonia - A visual defect in which the shape and size of an ocular image differ in the two eyes due to uneven prescriptions between the right and left eyes. The resulting magnification error is minimized with a proper contact lens fitting.

Aphakia - Aphakia is a condition where either an  individual was born without a lens in the eye or had to get the lens removed due to cataracts. Without a lens in the eye, prescription glasses over +10.00 diopter are required. Wearing a contact lens can be much easier to wear than such a high powered pair of glasses. More commonly an intraocular lens (IOL) is implanted following cataract surgery. A contact lens can be used on an eye with an IOL, where the power match was not successful. See Cataract Contact Lenses for more info.

Astigmatism - Astigmatism is a condition where the cornea of the eye is more shaped like a football than a round ball. The result is an eye that has two different powers across the two different meridians. There are currently many stock lenses to correct astigmatism available in a disposable format. Prescriptions that fall outside of this range can be fit with a custom made contact lens. Today virtually any astigmatic eye can be fit with a soft contact lens. Likewise there are gas permeable astigmatic lenses available as well. See Astigmatic Lenses for more info.

Cataract Contact Lenses - A cataract is when the crystalline lens in the eye becomes opaque and can no longer pass light through the pupil of the eye onto the retina. The majority of patients getting a cataract today would have an intraocular lens implanted surgically into the eye. There are circumstances where this not always possible and  a contact lens will be required to correct vision. These lenses are typically higher than +10.00 diopter in power and require specialized fitting. See Cataract Contact Lenses for more info.

Coloboma - Coloboma is typically a congenital condition where the cornea is often misshapen like a "keyhole". Lenses are fit that would cover the exposed pupil. See Cosmetic Repair Lenses for more info.

Corneal Dystrophy - For the correction of corneas with vision distorting scars.

Corneal Transplants, Penetrating Keratoplasty - Cornea transplants can result with eyeglasses working for vision correction, but many times contact lenses are required to correct the resultant irregular astigmatism and sometimes raised graft. The raised graft is the new cornea graft sitting higher than the patients own cornea forming a plateau. Lens Design has engineered a special contact soft contact lens to correct this condition. The lens comes with a back surface fitting that attenuates for both the raised graft and the irregular or regular astigmatism. The front of the lens incorporates any additional prescription requirements. See Graft Lens for more info.

Corneal Erosion - Bandage lenses are available to protect a diseased or traumatically injured cornea. This type of lens would enhance healing and reduce pain and light sensitivity.

Cosmetic Trauma Repair - Accident victims with a discolored iris from surgery can usually be restored to next to perfect looking with custom fit colored contact lenses. See Cosmetic Repair Lenses for more info.  

Cosmetic repair of eyes that have been injured in the past can be corrected to give that look that you had been born with. Eyes with irregular shaped pupils can wear contact lenses to hide the defect for a more cosmetic appearance. Eyes that have been turned white from disease or injury can wear contacts with artificial black pupils. See Cosmetic Repair Lenses for more info.

Dry Eye Syndrome - Keratitis Sicca described as persistent dry eyes can be comforted with specialty contact lenses designed to reduce the amount of drying on the surface of the eye. In actuality, dry eyes can be more comfortable with a contact lens than without. See Dry Eye Syndrome for more info.

Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis (GPC) - GPC is a inflammatory condition where the inner side of the eyelids get red bumps forming. GPC can be a chronic condition. Persons wearing contact lenses with GPC are typically very allergic and can be treated with special contact lenses that can alleviate the condition. See Proclear Contact Lenses for more info.

High Astigmatic Eyes - We can make lenses for the correction of astigmatic individuals with cylinder prescriptions over 3.00 to as high as 9.00 diopters. See Astigmatic Lenses for more info.

High Hyperopia - We can make lenses for the correction of far sighted individuals with prescriptions over +8.00 to as high as +60.00 diopters. See High Hyperopia Correction for more info.

High Myopia - We can make lenses for the correction of near sighted individuals with prescriptions -9.00 to -40.00 diopters. See High Myopia Correction for more info.

Keratoconus - Keratoconus is a condition whereby the cornea gradually thins and becomes misshapen. The cornea surface becomes irregular similar to the shape of a cone from the pressure of the eye causing vision loss. See Keratoconus for more info.

Operating since 1976, Lens Design Ltd. is Toronto's Keratoconus contact lens treatment center. Click for more info.

Lasik, Laser and Radial Keratotomy refractive surgery - In the event that refractive surgery failed to restore optimal vision, there are several different contact lenses that can be used to help. Many times after the surgery, conventional contact lenses do not always work due to the unusual shape that the laser corrective surgery creates. We will custom fit a lens that will be comfortable and will correct problems such as irregular astigmatism and to some degree correct night vision problems. See Post Laser Contact Lenses for more info.

Neovascularization - Neovascularization is a condition where by the white part of the eye grows blood vessels into the clear cornea of the eye from contact lenses that are not fitted correctly or are unable to supply sufficient oxygen. During contact lens wear, the amount of oxygen available to the cornea is reduced. The cornea will adapt to this condition by allowing the blood vessels to grow into the cornea. This condition can cause the cornea to warp and ulcerate upon occasion. Blurred vision and red painful eyes can be the end result. Several contact lens types are available to stop this condition or even have it recede and or disappear. The primary function of these lenses is to allow as much oxygen to transmit through as possible. An assessment needs to be performed to see which of these lenses would be appropriate. See High Oxygen Contact Lenses for more info.

Oblique astigmatism - For the correction of corneas that have a cylindrical surface that does not fall on either the vertical or horizontal axis of the eye. Oblique astigmatisms commonly require a custom made contact lens to avoid rotation of the contact lens during wear. More rare are oblique astigmatisms that have a distorted semi cylindrical surface on the cornea as well. The corneas with distorted semi cylindrical oblique surface are often associated with Pellucid Marginal Degeneration.

Pellucid Marginal Degeneration (PMD) - Often misdiagnosed as Keratoconus, PMD is a rare condition whereby the lower cornea becomes thinner and the optic surface of the cornea becomes irregular and the vision becomes blurry. Special contact lenses correct the front surface of the cornea restoring vision. See Pellucid Marginal Degeneration for more info.

Photophobia - Photophobia is a symptom of sensitivity to the sun and or bright light. Many patients suffering with photophobia will wear sunglasses even indoors to increase their comfort. Although they are many causes of photophobia, some types can be alleviated with specially tinted contact lenses, thus avoiding the use of sunglasses. See Colored Lenses for more info.

Retinal Detachments - Retinal detachments can be a debilitating event. More often than not, retinal detachment occurs in one eye only resulting in eyes with dissimilar prescriptions.  Wearing special  contact lens after surgery may decrease the magnification error to acceptable levels. See Retinal Detachments for more info.

Superficial Punctate Keratitis (SPK) - SPK is condition noted for many microscopic spots of inflamed or weakened cornea cells on the surface of the eye. The patient is generally light sensitive with irritated or painful eyes. Its causes can be from many different reasons. If caused by dry eyes or allergic conditions, there are many contact lens and cleaning regimes that will greatly alleviate this condition.

Superior Limbal Keratitis (SLK) - SLK in its advance form is marked by splitting of the cornea where it connects to the white conjunctiva at the top of the cornea underneath the eyelid. Many times associated with contact lens wear and allergic conditions can be alleviated with higher oxygen contact lenses and preservative contact lens cleaning systems. See High Oxygen Contact Lenses for more info.

Transient Diplopia - Transient diplopia is when eyes cross and see double from a temporary ailment. Conditions such as thyroid orbitopathy can cause such a condition. Custom contact lenses can be designed to act as an eye patch to prevent one eye from seeing. The lens would be designed with a black pupil to obscure light. This would preclude the need for an eye patch and would be more cosmetically appealing for some individuals. The lens can be worn until treatment has been performed and stereo vision has been restored. See Cosmetic Repair Contact Lenses for more info.