Hybrid Contact Lenses

Hybrid Contact Lenses: The Perfect Blend of Comfort and Visual Quality

Hybrid contact lenses combine the best of rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses and soft lenses, offering a unique solution for patients with irregular corneas (such as keratoconus) or high astigmatism who cannot tolerate traditional rigid lenses.

Structure and Design

✅ Rigid optical center: Corrects irregular astigmatism and provides maximum visual acuity.

✅ Hydrophilic soft edge: Increases comfort and facilitates adaptation.

Key Materials:

Center: Gas permeable polymer (allows corneal oxygenation).

Periphery: Hydrogel or silicone hydrogel (similar to soft lenses).

Main Indications

✔ Mild to moderate keratoconus (when RGPs are uncomfortable).

✔ Irregular astigmatism after surgery (e.g., corneal transplant).

✔ Intolerance to traditional rigid lenses (lens edge sensitivity).

✔ Athletes who need visual stability and comfort.

Hybrid Lens Types

Model Features

SynergEyes Custom-designed (USA), high cost.

UltraHealth For keratoconus, ultra-thin edge.

Duette Economical option, good balance of comfort and visual quality.

✅ Advantages of hybrid lenses

Comfort: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (From day one)

Visual Quality: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Optimal)

Stability: ⭐⭐⭐ (Better than soft lenses)

Maintenance: ⭐⭐⭐ (Special cleaning required)

⚠️ Disadvantages

❌ High cost (up to 3 times more than standard RGP lenses).

❌ Less availability (not all clinics accommodate them).

❌ More complex cleaning (requires specific solutions).

❌ Not suitable for advanced keratoconus (in these cases, scleral lenses are better).

Specific Care

Daily cleaning: Use solutions for rigid and soft lenses (e.g., Unique pH).

Storage: In a case with hydrogen peroxide liquid (e.g., AOSept).

Replacement: Every 6-12 months (depending on the model).

Who Should Use Them?

Keratoconus patients who reject RGPs due to discomfort.

People with astigmatism >3.00 D who do not achieve good vision with soft lenses.

Post-LASIK patients with corneal irregularities.

Contraindications:

Very severe dry eye (scleral lenses are better).

Allergies to materials.

Lack of dexterity in handling them.

85% of hybrid wearers report better comfort than RGPs (Journal of Contact Lens Research).

They correct up to 5.00 D of irregular astigmatism (vs. 2.00 D for soft toric lenses).

In Mexico, only 15% of opticians offer them (AMO).