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Specialty Contact Lenses in Chicago, IL

Man trying out his specialty contact lens at Big City Optical

Your Vision, Your Way: Big City Optical’s Specialty Lens Selection

Specialty contact lenses are great for people who can’t wear traditional lenses due to a unique eye condition. These lenses can treat a wide variety of conditions, including dry eye, keratoconus, glaucoma, and more!
Woman wearing traditional contact lens at Big City Optical

Do you struggle with
Traditional Contacts?

Contact lenses are excellent, but unfortunately one size does not fit all. Due to genetics or pre-existing conditions, some clients may find it uncomfortable to wear traditional lenses. At Big City Optical, we carry a large variety of specialty lenses that cater to hard-to-fit eyes and can even help treat a host of eye diseases. Our eye doctors and optical staff will help pair you with a set of lenses that will give you clear, comfortable vision while helping you manage your unique eye condition.

Our Contact Lens Exams Can
Identify the Best Specialty Lens
for You

All contact lenses require a contact lens exam to ensure that your lenses fit perfectly. Our doctors use cutting-edge technology to precisely measure the shape of your cornea, check your eye health, and accurately identify your prescription. Even if you have struggled to use traditional lenses in the past, you may still be able to wear a type of specialty lens. Give us a call and schedule your exam — our clients are often surprised with the flexibility and efficacy of our specialty lens options.
Woman getting an eye exam at Big City Optical

Our Specialty Lens Options

After learning all about your eyes and lifestyle, our doctors will help you find the perfect pair of lenses for your condition.
Child sleeping

Ortho-k / Corneal refractive therapy (CRT) lenses

Specialized Ortho-K lenses are a type of contact lens that gently reshapes the cornea. This makes Ortho-K lenses highly effective for children and adults with myopia. Often referred to as “visual retainers,” Ortho-K lenses are worn overnight, giving you clear, corrected vision during the day without the assistance of traditional contact lenses or glasses.

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Woman wearing Ortho-K at BCO

Scleral lenses

Scleral lenses vault over the cornea entirely and instead rests on the white part of the eye, known as the sclera. These lenses create a tear reservoir that constantly keeps the eye hydrated. This characteristic makes scleral lenses highly beneficial for managing conditions like keratoconus, dry eye, and various forms of corneal ectasia.

Learn More

Man wearing Multifocal lens at BCO

Multifocal Lenses

Multifocal contact lenses possess multiple prescriptions within a singular lens, helping you see clearly at multiple distances. Unlike bifocal contacts, which feature a distinct separation between close and medium viewing prescriptions, multifocals offer a smooth transition between prescriptions. These specialized contacts are highly effective in addressing presbyopia, a prevalent age-related condition that presents in those aged 40 and older.

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Limbal fit lens at BCO

Limbal Fit

Limbal fit contacts have a larger surface area — they are larger than RGP but smaller than scleral lenses. They offer excellent vision and durability but lack the eyelid interference that some patients may experience with scleral lenses. Limbal fit lenses are great for reducing dry eye symptoms, managing corneal irregularities, or offering comfort to those who find traditional lenses uncomfortable.

Find a Location

Woman trying out her hybrid contacts at BCO

Hybrid contacts

Hybrid contacts have a hard center and a soft outside, which combines the comfortable fit of soft contacts and the crisp vision and durability of harder lenses. Hybrid lenses are excellent for clients suffering from astigmatism or presbyopia, or those who may find wearing hard lenses uncomfortable.

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Woman and her Rigid Gas Permeable lens at BCO

Rigid Gas Permeable

Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) lenses are designed to allow for more oxygen to pass through to the eyes. These custom lenses are made with silicone and are more rigid, making them clearer and more durable. As a result, they are excellent at treating astigmatism and slowing the progression of myopia.

Find a Location

Ortho-k
Child sleeping

Ortho-k / Corneal refractive therapy (CRT) lenses

Specialized Ortho-K lenses are a type of contact lens that gently reshapes the cornea. This makes Ortho-K lenses highly effective for children and adults with myopia. Often referred to as “visual retainers,” Ortho-K lenses are worn overnight, giving you clear, corrected vision during the day without the assistance of traditional contact lenses or glasses.

Learn More

Scleral lenses
Woman wearing ortho-k at BCO

Scleral lenses

Scleral lenses vault over the cornea entirely and instead rests on the white part of the eye, known as the sclera. These lenses create a tear reservoir that constantly keeps the eye hydrated. This characteristic makes scleral lenses highly beneficial for managing conditions like keratoconus, dry eye, and various forms of corneal ectasia.

Learn More

Multifocal Lenses
Man wearing multifocal lens at BCO

Multifocal Lenses

Multifocal contact lenses possess multiple prescriptions within a singular lens, helping you see clearly at multiple distances. Unlike bifocal contacts, which feature a distinct separation between close and medium viewing prescriptions, multifocals offer a smooth transition between prescriptions. These specialized contacts are highly effective in addressing presbyopia, a prevalent age-related condition that presents in those aged 40 and older.

Find a Location

Limbal Fit
Limbal fit lens at BCO

Limbal Fit

Limbal fit contacts have a larger surface area — they are larger than RGP but smaller than scleral lenses. They offer excellent vision and durability but lack the eyelid interference that some patients may experience with scleral lenses. Limbal fit lenses are great for reducing dry eye symptoms, managing corneal irregularities, or offering comfort to those who find traditional lenses uncomfortable.

Find a Location

Hybrid contacts
Woman trying out her hybrid contacts at BCO

Hybrid contacts

Hybrid contacts have a hard center and a soft outside, which combines the comfortable fit of soft contacts and the crisp vision and durability of harder lenses. Hybrid lenses are excellent for clients suffering from astigmatism or presbyopia, or those who may find wearing hard lenses uncomfortable.

Find a Location

Rigid Gas Permeable
Woman and her rigid gas permeable lens at BCO

Rigid Gas Permeable

Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) lenses are designed to allow for more oxygen to pass through to the eyes. These custom lenses are made with silicone and are more rigid, making them clearer and more durable. As a result, they are excellent at treating astigmatism and slowing the progression of myopia.

Find a Location

Why Choose Us?

With 17 locations throughout the city of Chicago, we make it easy to find the perfect pair of lenses for your needs. Our talented doctors will learn all about you and your lifestyle and use our suite of advanced technology to determine which type of lens will give you the comfortable clarity you deserve. Ready to see how contacts can benefit you? Schedule a contact lens exam today to get started!