Specialty Contact Lenses: What’s Available Locally & When They’re Right for You

Contact lenses have come a long way from the standard soft lenses many people know. Today, a wide range of specialty contact lenses are available to meet specific vision needs and lifestyles. For Bakersfield patients, where dry, dusty air and long sunny days add extra challenges, specialty lenses can provide both comfort and clarity that standard options may not deliver.

At Li & Liao Optometry, we’re proud to offer a variety of specialty contact lenses designed to improve vision and support eye health. Here’s what’s available and how to know if they might be the right fit for you.

Scleral Lenses

• What they are: Larger-than-average lenses that vault over the cornea and rest on the sclera (the white part of the eye).
• Who they help: Ideal for patients with irregular corneas, keratoconus, severe dry eye, or those who have had corneal surgery.
• Why they work in Bakersfield: Because they hold a reservoir of fluid between the lens and the eye, scleral lenses provide lasting moisture — a major benefit in Bakersfield’s hot, dry climate

Multifocal Lenses

• What they are: Lenses with multiple zones of focus, allowing for clear vision at close, distant, and intermediate distances.
• Who they help: Perfect for patients with presbyopia, a common condition that makes it harder to see up close as we age.
• Why they work in Bakersfield: Multifocals reduce the need to constantly switch between glasses and contacts, making them great for active lifestyles and outdoor activities common in our area.

Toric Lenses

• What they are: Lenses designed with different powers in different meridians of the lens to correct astigmatism.
• Who they help: Patients with astigmatism who need sharper, more stable vision correction.
• Why they work in Bakersfield: Toric lenses provide clear, consistent vision that’s especially important for driving, outdoor work, and sports.

Other Options

• Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) lenses: Smaller, firm lenses that provide crisp vision, especially for those with high prescriptions.
• Cosmetic or therapeutic lenses: Designed for certain eye conditions or to improve appearance while providing correction.

The Central Valley’s climate brings unique challenges for contact lens wearers. Here are some key care tips:

• Keep lenses clean: Dust and particles in the air can stick to lenses. Always follow your optometrist’s cleaning instructions to avoid irritation and infection.
• Stay hydrated: Bakersfield’s hot summers can worsen dryness. Drink plenty of water and use preservative-free lubricating drops as recommended.
• Use proper storage solutions: Never substitute with tap water — it may contain bacteria harmful to your eyes.
• Wear sunglasses outdoors: Sunglasses provide added protection from UV rays and help reduce dryness from wind and sun exposure.
• Follow replacement schedules: Specialty lenses need consistent care. Replace lenses and cases as directed to keep your eyes healthy.

You may be a candidate for specialty contact lenses if you:

• Have been told you can’t wear regular contacts due to an irregular cornea or dry eye
• Struggle with astigmatism or presbyopia that isn’t corrected well with glasses or standard lenses
• Want better comfort in Bakersfield’s dry, dusty conditions
• Need sharper, more stable vision for work or daily activities

Every eye is unique, and specialty lenses require expert fitting to achieve the best results. At Li & Liao Optometry, our doctors take precise measurements and use advanced diagnostic tools to customize your lenses. We’ll also guide you through care instructions to make sure your eyes stay comfortable and healthy in Bakersfield’s challenging environment.

Ready to find the right specialty contact lenses for you? Schedule a consultation at Li & Liao Optometry today and discover clear, comfortable vision tailored to your needs.