Getting clear vision back
Glasses when they’re good enough; custom contact lenses when they’re not.
Glasses first, if they reach 6/9
Part 04 · 01If glasses can correct your vision to 6/9 or better, they are the first-line option. 6/9 meets the vision standard for driving.
Move to contact lenses when:
Glasses can’t reach 6/9
The irregular surface scatters light in a way glasses can’t correct.
The prescription is very high
Strong lenses are thick, distort the edges of your view, and are hard to adapt to.
The eyes differ a lot
Keratoconus is often uneven. Very different glasses make images different sizes, which the brain struggles to combine.
Why lenses work when glasses can’t
Part 04 · 02A rigid lens gives the eye a new, smooth front surface. Tears fill the gap between the lens and the irregular cornea, neutralising most of the distortion.
This is why a well-fitted rigid or scleral lens often gives much sharper vision than the best pair of glasses in keratoconus.
Five custom contact lens options
Part 04 · 03Scleral
A large lens that vaults over the whole cornea and rests on the white of the eye, on a cushion of saline. Often the most comfortable option for advanced cones.
Scleral lenses →Hybrid
A rigid optical centre with a soft outer skirt: the sharpness of a rigid lens with the feel of a soft one.
Corneal RGP
A small rigid lens that sits on the cornea. Excellent optics and oxygen supply; takes some getting used to.
Limbal RGP
A larger rigid lens landing near the edge of the cornea, for more stability and better centring over the cone.
Custom soft
A thicker, custom-made soft lens that can mask milder irregularity, for suitable cones.
The right lens depends on the shape and position of your cone, your comfort and how you use your eyes. Fitting usually takes more than one visit.
Compare all five lenses in detail →After cross-linking or surgery
Part 04 · 04Contact lenses remain the main way to restore vision for most people with keratoconus, including after cross-linking or a corneal transplant.
Cross-linking →Key takeaways
Part 04- 01Glasses first, if they correct to 6/9 or better
- 02Contact lenses when glasses fall short, the prescription is very high, or the eyes differ a lot
- 03Rigid and scleral lenses create a smooth new surface for clearer vision
Book a contact lens assessment.
Glasses not cutting it? We’ll find the lens that suits your cone.
General health information only, not personal advice. Everyone’s eyes are different. An optometrist or doctor should examine you before any treatment is decided.