Eye Associates Northwest — Contact Lenses
Clear Vision
for Complex Eyes.
When traditional glasses and soft contacts fall short, our specialty lens fitting uses impression-based and scan-based technology to design lenses matched to the exact shape of your eye.
- Impression-based fitting with EyePrintPro and EyeFitPro
- Scan-based fitting using our Pentacam tomography system
- Wavefront-corrected scleral lenses through our partnership with OVITZ
Is This Right for You?
Am I a Candidate for Contact Lenses?
Specialty lenses can help with a range of complex eye conditions. If any of the following sound familiar, it may be time for an evaluation.
Who benefits most: Patients with keratoconus, post-corneal transplant eyes, severe dry eye, or high astigmatism are frequently referred to us after standard contact lenses have failed to provide comfortable, clear vision.
We also regularly fit patients with corneal scarring, a history of ocular trauma, complications from refractive surgery, or irregular corneas following corneal cross-linking. If standard lenses haven’t worked for your eyes, a specialty fitting may still be an option worth exploring.
The Process
How Specialty Lenses Are Designed
Specialty contact lens fitting begins with detailed imaging of the eye’s surface, using either an impression-based technology like EyePrintPro and EyeFitPro or a scan-based approach using our Pentacam tomography system to map the corneo-scleral profile. This data is used to design a custom lens matched to the exact shape of your eye. For patients with higher order aberrations that cause glare, halos, or visual disturbance, we partner with OVITZ to create wavefront-corrected scleral lenses. We also provide prosthetic and therapeutic lenses to address glare from iris abnormalities and tinted lenses for sport-specific needs.
Custom-Fit
Lenses designed to match the exact shape of your eye
Two Fitting Methods
Impression-based and scan-based technology available
Complex Cases
Fittings for keratoconus, post-transplant, and irregular corneas
Ongoing Adjustments
Follow-up visits fine-tune fit and comfort as needed
Patient Reviews
Two Fitting Technologies
Impression-Based vs. Scan-Based Fitting
We use two complementary technologies to design specialty lenses that match the exact shape of your eye.
Impression-Based Fitting
A direct mold of your eye shape
- Captures a precise impression of the eye surface
- Especially useful for highly irregular corneas
- Used for prosthetic and therapeutic lens needs
- May take longer to design and manufacture
EyePrintPro / EyeFitPro
Scan-Based Fitting
A digital scan of the corneo-scleral profile
- Uses corneal topography to map the eye digitally
- Faster initial design process
- Effective for many keratoconus and post-surgical cases
- May require adjustment fittings for best fit
Pentacam Tomography
Your fitting approach depends on your specific eye shape and condition, and may combine both technologies.
Step by Step
Your Specialty Lens Journey
From evaluation to a lens designed for your eyes.
1
Evaluation
- Corneal topography and Pentacam imaging
- Review of your eye condition and lens history
2
Fitting
- Impression-based or scan-based fitting selected
- Trial lenses evaluated for fit and comfort
3
Lens Delivery
- Custom lens manufactured to your specifications
- Lens applied and vision checked in office
4
Follow-Up Adjustments
- Fit and comfort reassessed at follow-up visits
- Adjustments made to lens design as needed
What to Expect
Expected Contact Lenses Outcomes & Recovery
Many patients who could not achieve clear, comfortable vision with standard lenses find success with a specialty fitting.
What Patients Can Expect in the First 30 Days
- Adjustment period as you get used to a new lens type
- Initial fitting may require more than one visit
- Some lenses require specific insertion and removal technique, which our opticians will teach you
- Follow-up visits scheduled to fine-tune fit and comfort
Informed Care
Safety & Risk Considerations
Specialty contact lenses are generally safe when properly fitted and cared for, though as with any contact lens there are risks to be aware of.
Safety Profile
- Custom-fit to reduce pressure points and irritation
- Regularly used for complex corneal conditions with a strong safety track record
- Fitted and monitored by opticians trained in specialty lens design
Possible Side Effects
- Initial discomfort or awareness of the lens while adjusting
- Increased risk of infection if lens hygiene instructions are not followed
- Occasional need for refitting as the cornea or eye surface changes over time
How We Minimize Risk
Precise Custom Fitting
Impression-based and scan-based technology reduce the risk of an ill-fitting lens.
Trained Specialty Fitters
Our opticians are experienced in fitting lenses for complex corneal conditions.
Ongoing Monitoring
Follow-up visits help catch fit issues or corneal changes early.
Why Eye Associates Northwest
What Sets Our Specialty Lens Program Apart
Advanced technology for the most complex corneal conditions.
Dual Fitting Technology
We combine impression-based and scan-based fitting to match the right approach to your eyes.
OVITZ Partnership
Wavefront-corrected scleral lenses reduce glare and halos from higher order aberrations.
Complex Case Experience
We regularly fit patients with keratoconus, post-transplant eyes, and severe ocular surface disease.
Our Team
Meet Our Specialty Contact Lens Team
Optometrists experienced in fitting lenses for complex and irregular corneas.
Find Us
Contact Lenses in Seattle & the Puget Sound
Specialty contact lens fittings are available at our Ballard, First Hill, Kirkland, and Northgate locations.
Coverage & Financing
Cost & Insurance
Specialty and scleral lenses involve more complex design and fitting than standard contacts, which affects overall cost.
Insurance Coverage
When specialty lenses are medically necessary, such as for keratoconus or post-transplant eyes, all or part of the cost may be covered by medical insurance.
- Fitting evaluation and diagnostic imaging
- Lens design and manufacturing
- Follow-up fitting adjustments
- Billing support for medically necessary lenses
Eye Associates Northwest bills most major medical and vision insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid; contact your carrier to confirm coverage for medically necessary contact lenses.
Self-Pay Options
When lenses are elective rather than medically necessary, we keep pricing straightforward.
- Full pricing reviewed before lens manufacturing begins
- Multiple accepted payment methods
- Prompt-pay discount for qualifying patients
- Billing office available for questions
We accept cash, checks, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover, with a 15% prompt-pay discount for qualifying self-pay patients.
Insurance & Payment Made Simple. We bill most major medical and vision insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid. Patients without insurance coverage receive a 15% discount when paying in full the same day. Our billing team can answer questions about your specific coverage before your visit.
locationsCommon Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What patients often want to know before a specialty lens fitting.
Are scleral lenses uncomfortable?
Most patients find scleral lenses more comfortable than standard contacts once fitted correctly, since they vault over the irregular cornea and rest on the white part of the eye.
How long does the fitting process take?
Complex fittings often require more than one visit to fine-tune the lens design, especially for highly irregular corneas.
Will insurance cover specialty lenses?
When the lenses are medically necessary, such as for keratoconus, insurance frequently covers some or all of the cost. Our team can help verify your specific benefits.
What is the OVITZ HOA optic?
It is a wavefront-corrected lens technology we use in partnership with OVITZ to reduce higher order aberrations, which cause glare, halos, and other visual disturbances.
Ready When You Are
Schedule Your Free Consultation
Most patients see results within 24 hours. Consultations are available at all four locations, online scheduling takes less than two minutes.