If you or a loved one has keratoconus and are struggling with blurry, distorted vision, you’re not alone. At Insight Vision Center Optometry in Costa Mesa, our team helps people across Orange County enjoy clearer, more comfortable vision with custom soft contact lenses for keratoconus, including KeraSoft Thin lenses.

Understanding Keratoconus and Vision Challenges

Keratoconus causes the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye, to thin and bulge into a cone shape, making vision blurry and distorted. Many people with keratoconus find that glasses or standard contact lenses stop working as the condition progresses. If you’re dealing with increased glare, halos, or difficulty seeing clearly, especially at night, you are not alone. Our clinic provides advanced solutions tailored for these challenges.

Why Standard Contacts May Not Work

Standard soft lenses drape over an irregularly shaped cornea and usually do not neutralize the distorted optics, so vision often remains blurry. If lens stability and sharpness remain an issue, rigid gas-permeable (RGP) or scleral lenses can sometimes provide a more stable fit and clearer vision.
When traditional options fall short, our team is here to help you find a comfortable, effective way to see your best.

Solutions for Different Stages of Keratoconus

Mild cases: Glasses or off-the-shelf contacts may work at first.
Progressive cases: More personalized options, like custom soft lenses, are often needed for comfort and clarity. In advanced cases, rigid or scleral lenses might offer the best clarity, especially if soft lenses aren’t providing sufficient visual quality.

What Are Custom Soft Contact Lenses?

Custom soft contact lenses are designed and made specifically for the unique shape of your cornea. Unlike standard soft lenses, these lenses are made to order, matching the size, curvature, and needs of your individual eye. KeraSoft Thin offers clearer vision than standard soft lenses while maintaining the familiar comfort of a silicone-hydrogel design.

How KeraSoft Thin Lenses Are Different

Designed for irregular corneas, they fit smoothly and comfortably.
Made of soft, breathable materials that allow for all-day wear.
Personalized measurements help create a stable, clear optical surface, even on cone-shaped corneas.

Other Options in Custom Soft Lense

While we most often fit KeraSoft Thin, other custom-made soft lenses may be considered based on your eye’s shape and health. Our eye doctors select the lens that will give you the best combination of comfort, vision, and eye health.

Research and Clinical Evidence

Kerasoft 3 Clinical Study

A comprehensive study of 61 eyes from 35 patients showed impressive results. Patients experienced significant vision improvement, with their vision clarity improving from 0.38 to 0.22 on the measurement scale (lower numbers mean better vision). The study followed patients for over 3 years, from August 2015 to January 2019. All patients reported maximum comfort and tolerance with the lenses, and no serious complications were observed.

Kerasoft IC 12-Month Study

This study tracked 43 patients (84 eyes) for a full year. Vision improved from 0.177 to 0.141 on the measurement scale, which translates to approximately 20/27 vision – close to normal sight. The study found that 89% of patients had minimal or no eye irritation. Most patients (62%) were successfully fitted within just 1-2 lens trials, making the fitting process efficient.

Kerasoft IC vs Traditional Hard Lenses

A comparison study of 171 eyes showed that Kerasoft IC performed just as well as traditional hard contact lenses for vision correction (both achieved 20/22 vision). However, Kerasoft IC users experienced significantly fewer eye surface problems. Patients wore both types of lenses for similar amounts of time (about 11-12 hours daily), but Kerasoft IC caused less corneal staining and irritation.

Results by Keratoconus Severity

The research shows Kerasoft IC works well across different stages of keratoconus:

Mild cases (22 eyes): Achieved excellent 20/21 vision
Moderate cases (46 eyes): Achieved very good 20/22 vision
Severe cases (6 eyes): Achieved good 20/26 vision

Patient Preference Study

When given a choice between different lens designs, 70% of patients chose to continue wearing KeraSoft Thin as their preferred option. An additional 20% reported no significant difference between lens types, indicating high satisfaction with the KeraSoft design.

Why Choose Insight Vision Center Optometry for Custom Soft Contact Lenses?

At Insight Vision Center Optometry, your vision is cared for by internationally respected eye doctors who specialize in custom contact lenses and complex vision challenges.

Dr. Nathan Schramm, OD, FSLS, FBCLA, is a global expert in managing irregular corneas and designing custom contact lenses. He co-founded the International Congress of Scleral Contacts, led significant clinical research studies, and holds fellowships with the Scleral Lens Education Society and the British Contact Lens Association. Dr. Schramm has earned prestigious awards for research, patient care, and innovation. His expertise spans the latest scleral and wavefront-guided lens technologies, and he actively teaches and mentors eye care specialists around the world.

Dr. Thanh Mai, OD, FSLS, brings extensive experience and a personalized approach to every lens fitting. He is a former President of the Orange County Optometric Society and served as Vice President of Clinical Innovation at Treehouse Eyes. Dr. Mai is recognized for his expertise in myopia management and complex corneal conditions. He has published research in leading peer-reviewed journals, received numerous honors, and is highly regarded for making the fitting process easy, comfortable, and understandable, especially for children and patients with special visual needs.

How Custom Soft Lenses Improve Vision

Many custom soft lenses, such as KeraSoft Thin, use specialized front-surface optics and carefully profiled edges, rather than extra thickness, to improve how light passes through an irregular cornea. This design helps to smooth out some of the “bumps” on the eye, reducing blur and distortion compared to glasses or standard contacts.

Key Features for Better Vision

Aspheric front-surface optics: Smooth the visual pathway and enhance clarity without adding significant thickness.
Tailored design: Each lens is matched to your cornea’s shape and size.
Advanced optics: Can include toric correction for astigmatism; soft lenses generally cannot fully correct higher-order aberrations.

Clinical Results and Quality of Life

Patients often report sharper vision than with glasses and improved comfort, making daily activities like reading, driving, and sports easier and more enjoyable. For those whose visual demands exceed the clarity custom soft lenses can provide, RGP or scleral lenses may offer even sharper vision.

Custom Soft Contact Lenses for Keratoconus

People with early keratoconus couldn’t always wear soft lenses. Now, with KeraSoft Thin by Bausch + Lomb, they can. These custom soft lenses are engineered specifically for the keratoconic eye. They utilize advanced design features like variable thickness and precise stabilization zones to create a stable fit over the irregular corneal surface. Unlike scleral lenses that completely vault over the cornea, KeraSoft Thin lenses closely conform to the general shape of the cornea, significantly improving vision and comfort for many patients with mild keratoconus.

What Makes KeraSoft Thin Different?

Ultra-Thin and Flexible Compared to older designs, KeraSoft Thin is significantly thinner. This increases flexibility, comfort, and the flow of oxygen to the cornea, which is vital for keeping your eyes healthy, a particularly important feature for those who have had corneal cross-linking or graft surgery.

100% Soft Material Unlike hybrid lenses that have a hard, rigid center with a soft skirt, KeraSoft Thin is made entirely from a soft, advanced silicone hydrogel material.

Ideal Candidates for Custom Soft Contact Lenses

Severity of Keratoconus The most suitable candidates typically have mild to moderate keratoconus. These lenses fill an important role for eyes with distortion that is too significant for standard soft lenses but may not yet require the more complex fitting process of a rigid lens.

Previous Treatment Challenges Ideal candidates are often those who:

Achieve decent vision with eyeglasses but have not been successful with properly prescribed rigid lenses, including scleral designs.
Are unable to tolerate the sensation of corneal rigid gas permeable (GP) lenses, even with a proper fit.
Find rigid lenses difficult to handle or uncomfortable to wear.
Experience limited daily wear time, discomfort, or significant glare with their traditional contact lenses.

Specific Clinical Indications Custom soft lenses are designed to work well for patients with a variety of corneal shapes, including those with:

High regular or irregular astigmatism
Asymmetric keratoconus (where the cone is off-center)
Corneas that have undergone previous surgical procedures

Comfort and Lifestyle Factors These lenses are particularly beneficial for patients who:

Prioritize comfort over achieving the absolute sharpest level of vision.
Are new to contact lenses and find the idea of rigid lenses intimidating.
Need an easier handling and care routine compared to specialty rigid lenses.
Prefer lenses that do not require a long initial adaptation period.

Why Custom Soft Lenses May Not Be the Best Choice For Everyone

It’s important for candidates to have realistic expectations. Custom soft lenses may not provide the same pin-sharp visual clarity as rigid gas permeable or scleral lenses. Success often depends on a patient’s willingness to accept a potential trade-off: slightly reduced sharpness in exchange for a significant improvement in comfort, handling, and overall wearability.

Custom soft contact lenses are generally not recommended for patients with:

Advanced or severe keratoconus where corneal distortion is extreme.
Occupations or hobbies where achieving the absolute maximum visual acuity is critical.
A history of successful, comfortable wear with properly fitted rigid gas permeable or scleral lenses.

The Highest Rated Eye Care Center In Orange County

What Our Patients are Saying

“Insight vision has great customer service staff n the best optometrist Ive ever seen
Dr Nathan Schramm spends as much time as needed n has the highest advanced technology. I highly recommend this practice for anyone with any vision problem.”

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Nancy B.

“Best optometrist I have ever visited. They are experts with my eye condition (keratoconus) all staff super friendly. And dr Schramm is very professional and passionate to get you the best vision possible. I absolutely recommend insight vision center optometry.”

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Emmanuel B.

The Importance of Seeing an Eye Doctor Specializing in Keratoconus

The decision to try custom soft lenses should always be made in consultation with an eye doctor that has extensive experience with fitting contact lenses for keratoconus. Our eye doctors are leaders in the field of contact lenses, with advanced fellowship training that enables them to help each patient find the best contact lens for their eyes.

Book Your Contact Lens Exam At Orange County’s Top Rated Contact Lens Center

As Orange County’s leading center for advanced contact lens care, we have extensive experience fitting custom lenses for even the most complex vision needs. Our eye doctors are nationally recognized specialists with prestigious fellowships and decades of proven success. Our modern facility features the latest diagnostic tools, advanced fitting technology, and one of the largest selections of specialty lenses available. With over 650 patient reviews on Google and Yelp, averaging 4.9 stars, you can trust your vision and comfort to us.

Ready for clear, comfortable vision?

Contact us today to schedule your comprehensive contact lens evaluation. We’re here to help you and your family find the best vision solution.

Insight Vision Center Optometry is a proud member of Vision Source, the premier network of private practice optometrists.

Our Testimonials

Real experiences from clients who’ve seen our expertise—discover what our patients have to say.

Dr. Chen and the staff are very friendly and professional and can provide patients with sincere service and advice.

Elise Fu

Insight Vision Center Optometry has truly transformed my eyecare experience over the past year. Under the expert care of Dr. Chen, Dr. Schramm, Dr. Lam, and Dr. Mai, I've received unparalleled attention and personalized service. Their commitment to excellence extends beyond the doctors to the outstanding admin and tech team who ensure a seamless... Read more

Nathaniel Choi

Dr. Mai and the entire personnel are amazing! Extremely polite, kind and professional. In addition, I can now see 20/20!!! Thank you, thank you all

Franchezka 777

Dr. Schramm is stellar. He really cares about his patients. Great staff. Scleral lenses are life changing.

Kevin W

My first eye exam in fifteen years. I am so thankful that I found Insight Vision Center. Dr. Lam and staff made me feel like a welcome guest. My eye exam revealed very minor blurriness and Dr. Lam did not pressure me into purchasing eyewear for a condition not necessitating glasses… yet. Maybe next... Read more

Scott H.

Dr. Lam and staff are amazing. Every phone call or interaction is friendly. You can feel the smiles and joy over whatever mode of communication you are interacting with them. Dr. Lam is very knowledgeable and helps you to better understand everything that is going on with your eyes. She made me aware of... Read more

Virgilio S.