By Rob Davis, O.D., F.A.A.O.
In 2001, Quarter Lambda Technologies (later to become SynergEyes, Inc.) began research and development of a new hybrid contact lens design that ultimately received FDA clearance in 2005. The SynergEyes® hybrid lens differed from the original SoftPerm® design in several key areas. SynergEyes hybrid contact lenses use high oxygen permeable materials and a patented technology called “Hyperbond®” that significantly reduces the separation between the rigid and soft junction of the lens that was common in the SoftPerm® lens. The soft skirt portion incorporates a special surface treatment called ‘HydrolEyes®’ to improve surface wettability and comfort. In addition, the SynergEyes® lens is available with adjustable soft skirt curves as well as multiple fitting curves allowing for more customized fitting of the lens for virtually any patient in a contact lens practice.
SynergEyes initially developed four hybrid contact lens designs, including the SynergEyes® A lens for patients with astigmatism, the SynergEyes® KC lens for fitting cases of emerging keratoconus and other steep corneas, the SynergEyes® PS lens for fitting post-surgical corneas and other eyes that have flatter corneal surfaces; and the SynergEyes® Multifocal design for patients over 40 who cannot see close up.
In 2010, SynergEyes introduced the ClearKone® design, which fits a much broader range of keratoconus and irregular cornea patients then any other hybrid contact lens products.
The SynergEyes® family of hybrid lenses provides excellent comfort, optimal vision and corneal health. Numerous fitting parameters and the high oxygen permeability of the RGP material eliminates “tight lens syndrome” that can result in edema or swelling of the cornea. The increased amount of tears underneath the lens eliminates friction between the lens and the surface of the cornea giving an added measure of safety and comfort. The improved surface treatment reduces the dryness experienced by other contact lens designs. The improved durability of the rigid/soft junction, base curve availability, and options of skirt radii of the SynergEyes® lens has evolved this technology to the point that it has now entered the mainstream contact lens category for patients with normal corneas as well as irregular corneas.