Hybrid lenses are a combination of soft lenses and rigid gas-permeable contact lenses. They are specialized contact lenses that provide comfort to wearers who feel uncomfortable using rigid gas-permeable contact lenses. Hybrid vision correction lenses are designed to provide the visual acuity of the rigid contact lens with the comfort of the soft contact lens.
In hybrid contact lenses, the center is made up of a gas-permeable material, while the outer skirt is made of hydrogel or silicone hydrogel material. The silicone hydrogel provides comfort, and the gas-permeable material allows oxygen to pass through them. This means the wearer can see all day without having fogs in your lenses or feeling uncomfortable due to eye strain.
The rigid gas-permeable lens is hard and can be uncomfortable for some wearers. A fusion lens is designed with the crisp optics of a hard lens used with the center of the rigid lens. The soft surrounding area holds the rigid lens place to prevent it from rubbing against the cornea.
Hybrid eye lenses hardly get dislodged during physical activity or sports because they are almost the same size as soft lenses with thinner edges than rigid lenses. They are customized for the wearer’s eyes, thereby increasing the cost. Hybrid vision correction lenses are not replaced always, as soft contacts are.
Fussion lenses are links between two different types of lenses: gas permeable and silicone hydrogel. It is the combination of the two types into one lens; hybrid contacts give the clarity hard lenses are known for with the comfort associated with soft lenses.
Hybrid lenses are a breakthrough in vision correction, combining the best aspects of soft and rigid lenses to offer superior comfort, clear vision, and durability. In this article, we will take a deep look at the key attributes like the materials used, fitting process, care instructions, and adaptation period. We’ll also cover important factors such as cost, safety considerations, environmental impact, popular brands, and emerging trends. Again, we’ll look into alternatives, current legal and regulatory information, and how hybrid lenses compare to other vision correction options.
Materials used for hybrid.
A hybrid contact lens is made to have a diameter greater than other contact lenses. It comprises of two specific areas: the center portion is a hard GP lens, and the surrounding skirt is made of soft silicone hydrogel. Hybrid lenses are better and offer more stable vision than soft lenses. Due to the fact that the middle of a hybrid lens is made of rigid gas-permeable material, it does not change its shape when put on the ocular surface and can enhance and neutralize corneal irregularities. This stability reduces or removes the issue of soft lenses moving around or adopting the irregular corneal shape, leaving irregular astigmatism uncorrected. Hybrid contact lenses always provide maximum and better vision for patients with astigmatism, which regular contact lenses cannot provide.
Hybrid lenses can be easily cared for, which helps reduce the risk of having severe eye infection. In caring for hybrid lenses, you have to clean the lenses always as you remove them and keep them in a clean case filled with fresh hybrid lens solution. It is a routine that is easy to adapt.
Vision correction
Hybrid contacts can be used for correction of a variety of eye issues and can be for different people. These lenses are a good option for those who want lenses that best meet their vision requirements.
Hybrid lenses provide better vision than soft lenses can. Some contact lens wearers prefer the visual acuity of GP lenses but find them uncomfortable on the eye. They may discover that the hybrid lenses make the experience more comfortable due to the silicone hydrogel skirt.
There are different hybrid lenses that can be used for some vision correction. These include:
- Hybrid Lenses for Keratoconus: The basic use of hybrid contact lenses is for people with difficult-to-fit corneas such as Keratoconus. Keratoconus is a thinning of the cornea that causes its domed shape to bulge out into a cone or corneal transplant, which can lead to irregular corneal surfaces. This condition can present difficulty for traditional contact lens wear. Soft contact lenses may not offer good vision correction in this condition because of the irregular corneal shape. In keratoconus, the light rays that enter the eye are distorted. Two major symptoms of this eye irregularity are blurry vision and sensitivity. The dome made by the GP section of a hybrid lens compensates for the change in the cornea’s shape while correcting the vision problem.
- Hybrid Lenses for Astigmatism: In astigmatism, the eye becomes more oval than its normal round shape. Light rays do not bend properly, and they fall short of or behind the retina (back of the eye) rather than onto it. This can cause eye strain, discomfort, and blurriness. It affects both near- and far-sightedness. Hybrid contacts enhance vision by focusing light rays onto the retina.
- Hybrid Lenses for Combined Presbyopia and Astigmatism: Presbyopia is a common part of the aging process that makes it difficult to see up-close objects clearly. Some people experience it after the age of 40 as they start having trouble with close work, such as reading. People with astigmatism who develop presbyopia may be able to enhance their vision with the use of hybrid lenses.
Hybrid contacts can also be prescribed for patients with flattened corneas resulting from refractive eye surgery or corneal transplants.
Comfort
Integrated contact lenses enhance comfort for the wearer and reduce edge discomfort. The discomfort when wearing rigid gas-permeable lenses, which may not disappear, makes long hours of wear difficult. The soft gels around the edges of hybrid lenses make them suitable for long wear.
The rigid center of hybrid lenses holds its shape, while the soft skirt allows oxygen and tears to circulate, something regular contact lenses can’t do.
Fitting of Hybrid Lenses
In hybrid lenses, your eye doctor will do an eye exam on you first to examine the inside of your eye to see if your eyes need Fusion lenses. Standard contact lens fitting procedures are used to insert and remove the lenses.
Hybrid contact lenses can be empirically designed, and the corneal diameter determines the skirt parameters.
According to van der Worp (2010), larger horizontal visible iris diameters (HVIDs) typically require a tighter-fitting lens to center on the eye. Instead of only three main skirt curves (Flat 2 8.7mm, Flat 8.4mm, and Medium 8.1mm), the modern hybrid lenses can now be made to better align with the known linear slope of the scleral profile. Instead of radii of curvature defining the fit of the hybrid soft skirt, a linear angle is selected based on corneal size.
Usage of Hybrid Lens
The use of hybrid lenses can serve to correct different vision irregularities and provide other solutions that appeal to the wearers. These include:
- It can be suitable for people who want stable quality of vision and provide comfort.
- It is used to correct astigmatism.
- It is used to enhance vision for patients who have significant high-order aberrations.
- It can be effective for correction of presbyopia in astigmatic patients.
- With proper care, it can be worn daily.
Cost of Hybrid Lenses
An article written by CPA Alec Pow in The Pricer journal stated that the former cost for a first pair of hybrid lenses ranges about $500 to $800, which will include a comprehensive exam and fitting. Ongoing annual supply expenses, including replacement lenses and follow-up exams, generally total $400 to $600.
The price breakdown to get started and maintenance of an annual supply of hybrid contact lenses are:
Initial costs and fitting
The upfront costs to acquire your first pair of hybrid contact lenses include:
- Comprehensive eye exam: $100 to $250
- Contact lens evaluation and fitting: $100 to $200
- Initial pair of hybrid contact lenses: $300 to $400
Total initial costs: approximately $500 to $800
This covers the lenses, lens fitting to ensure maximum comfort and vision, and an updated corrective prescription from your eye doctor.
Ongoing hybrid lens supply costs
After getting started, replenishing your lens supply may cost about:
- 4 replacement lens orders per year—$1,200 to $1,600 total
- Contact lens solution: $100 to $200 per year
- 2 follow-up exams to update prescriptions—$200 to $400 total
Annual supply cost: approximately $400 to $600
Continuous replacement of lenses, desired solutions, and exam fees based on insurance coverage determine the pricing ranges. Buying lenses in bulk generally yields cost savings.
A report made by Reddit users discussed the cost of hybrid or specialty contact lenses, with prices varying based on location and insurance coverage. Reported prices include $900-$1200 a pair for scleral lenses, $1650 for 2 pairs of SynergEyes KC in Texas, $1500 a year for two sets in California, €250 each in some countries, and $1k a year in others.
Eye5 Optometrists offers hybrid contact lenses at a cost of $750 for both eyes.
Lens.com mentions that hybrid contact lenses cost around $300 to $500 every six to 12 months without insurance.
List of reputable brands for hybrid lenses
Duette contact lenses.
UltraHealth.
SynergEyes
ClearKone.
How to take care of hybrid contact lenses
Getting fusion lenses can be a good beginning, but not the end, as you will need good care for them. How? This is judging to the fact that the eye is a delicate organ; handling anything about it must come with max care to avoid eye infection. The following care will help you maintain your Fusion lenses:
- Before inserting or removing your lenses, wash and dry your hands thoroughly.
- Do not pick your lens with your fingernails.
- Rinse your lenses and cases with saline solution.
- To avoid mixing your lenses up, always insert and remove the same lens first.
- Use the care system or the correct cleaning contact lens solutions recommended by your eye doctor.
- Do not rinse your lenses and case with tap water to prevent the risk of eye infections.
- Never shower or bathe with your lenses in.
- Do not sleep with your lenses in.
- Avoid swimming with your contact lenses in.
- Do share your occular lens with anyone, no matter your relationship or circumstance.
Safety Consideration of Hybrid Lenses.
Safety considerations must be put in place by hybrid lens wearers to avoid the risk of severe infections. Regular replacement of lenses and adhering to lens care instructions is important to prevent complications from hybrid lenses daily. Some of the safety considerations are:
- Always do cleaning and rinsing steps completely on one side before moving to the other side. To avoid lenses being changed.
- Always discard used solutions and rinse your case with hot water. Allow it to air dry.
- Don’t sleep with your contact lens to prevent eye infection, except it is recommended by your eye doctor.
- Never use products that are not recommended by your eye doctor.
- In cases of any eye infections or irritation that can be linked to using a hybrid lens, report to your eye doctor.
- Always go for regular replacement to avoid protein buildup.
- Tangible boost is not approved for use with hybrid contact lenses.
Environmental Impact of Hybrid Lenses.
Your actions towards environmental impact make a huge difference as you wear contact lenses. Your habits or choices contribute to environmental friendliness or affect it negatively. Here are some things to do when using contact lenses.
Always dispose of your contact lenses properly. Disposing of your contact lenses into the trash or flushing them can lead to microplastic pollution, thereby harming aquatic ecosystems. Dispose of your contact lenses properly; the correct way to achieve that is by local recycling. Reduce your frequency of use of contact lenses. Substituting between contacts and traditional glasses is a good approach to achieve this. Wearing glasses for particular activities extends the lifespan of your lenses, thereby reducing waste and usage. This can be economical too.
Support brands rather than prioritize sustainability. Kiama Costmestics is one of the reputable brands that invest in eco-friendly materials and support recycling initiatives.
Alternatives to Hybrid Lenses
Soft Lenses
Soft contact lenses are thin and flexible plastic, which fit easily to your eyes. These contact lenses are thin and flexible, so they mold easily to the shape of your eye. Soft contact lenses help retain moisture and allow oxygen to flow through to the cornea of the eyes. These lenses are a comfortable but more fragile type of contact lens and help to maintain the overall health of the eye. Soft contact lenses can be disposable and non-disposable.
You may find them comfortable to wear, especially daily wear, because the lenses are disposable and have no protein buildup. Protein buildup is a problem that can cause discomfort and increase your risk of giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC). These contact lenses tear more easily than hard lenses and are more likely to absorb smoke, allergens, dust, and other substances, which may lead to eye irritation.
Hard contact lenses
Hard contact lenses are also called gas-permeable contact lenses. They’re thinner, made of hard plastic, and aren’t flexible like soft contact lenses. Hard contact lenses sharpen your vision if you have myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, or presbyopia.
Hard lenses can be more customized than soft and hybrid lenses. These contact lenses provide the most customization of any contact lens modality. This is because each lens is covered according to the specifications of either an empirical fit or a diagnostic trial. They provide better visual results than soft contact lenses. Hard contacts can cause discomfort to the wearers through irritation, gritty feeling, etc.
Scleral Contact Lenses
Scleral contact lenses have a larger design than regular contact lenses. They sit on the sclera (white part of the eye) instead of resting on your cornea. Their larger shape allows them to “vault” over your cornea, making them a good option for people suffering corneal conditions like Keratoconus, corneal scarring, or complications from laser eye surgery.
Scleral lenses may be a good option in eye irregularities of high refractive error like high myopia, high hyperopia, or high astigmatism. We may also suggest scleral contacts to help you comfortably see while living with dry eyes.