Hybrid Contact Lenses

Hybrid contact lenses are a type of specialty contact lens that aims to provide the comfort of a soft contact lens with the optical quality of a rigid gas permeable lens (GP).¹

Lens Basics

Hybrid lenses consist of an outer “skirt” of hydrogel or silicone hydrogel material, similar to traditional “soft” contact lenses. This material helps to stabilize the contact lens on the eye and can help decrease lens awareness typically experienced by new corneal GP lens wearers. This allows for more comfortable contact lens wear with less initial discomfort.² The center of a hybrid lens consists of a hard plastic material, similar to a traditional corneal GP or scleral lens. This rigid portion of the lens holds its shape when placed on an irregular cornea and your natural tears fill in between the front of the eye (the cornea) and the back of the contact lens. This creates a smooth front lens surface, allowing for good optics, reduction of halos and glare, and optimal vision not achievable with standard soft contact lenses.³

Design Types

Hybrid contact lenses offer a variety of customization options to both the soft outer “skirt” and the central rigid GP lens. The outer skirt may be made steeper or flatter in order to properly match your eye and fit comfortably. The inner GP portion of the lens can be made in a variety of different shapes to custom fit the lens to each individual’s unique corneal shape.⁴ Your eye care professional can help select a lens design that works best for you!

Indications

Hybrid contact lenses are indicated in a wide variety of cases that traditional corneal GP lenses are, especially when patients are having difficulty in adapting to the comfort of corneal GP lenses. Hybrid lenses may be indicated in patients suffering from:

Corneal ectasia/irregularity
- Keratoconus
- Pellucid Marginal Degeneration
- Irregular Astigmatism
- Corneal Trauma/Scarring
- Ectasia after refractive surgery
High astigmatism, myopia or hyperopia
Anisometropia (a large difference in refractive error between the eyes)
Aphakia
People wanting optimal vision but are not able to adapt to corneal GP lenses
Many more!

Insertion and Removal ^4,5

Insertion and removal from the eye can be one of the most difficult parts of learning to wear hybrid contact lenses. While hybrid lenses may initially be difficult to remove, most patients are able to do so with a little practice. Click here (CREATE HYPERLINK) for video instruction on hybrid lens handling and care.

Insertion

The first and one of the most important steps of putting on hybrid contact lenses is to start by washing your hands. This helps to prevent eye infections that can harm vision and even lead to blindness. Oil based or aromatic cosmetics, lotions and hand soaps should also be avoided as these products can damage the lenses and reduce vision and comfort.
After washing your hands, inspect the lens to make sure it is clean and does not have any damage.
The lens can then be placed on the eye using a technique similar to that used when applying a soft contact lens.
- A drop of preservative free lubricant or preservative free saline solution may be inserted into the lens for good lens adhesion and comfort.
- It is good practice to always start with the same lens in order to not mix up lenses.

Removal

The first step to removing a hybrid lens is to again wash hands to prevent infection.
The lids are then held open and the lens can be pinched off the eye using the thumb and pointer fingers. The other hand should be used to help hold the eye open.
- It is important to ensure that the fingers are dry when removing a hybrid lens as this ensures proper friction with the lens.
- A tissue can be placed over the two fingers removing the lens in order to maximize friction and help with lens removal, if necessary, although fingers alone are typically preferred if possible.

Lens cleaning and storage

Hybrid lenses are cared for in a very similar method as traditional soft contact lenses. Lenses should be removed at night and lenses should NEVER be slept in. Additionally, contact lenses and water do not mix, so avoid using tap water when cleaning lenses.

After removing the lens, place the lens in your palm and apply a small amount of cleaning solution recommended by your eye care professional.
Gently rub the lens between your clean palm and clean finger to remove any debris from the front and back surface of the lens (see below²):

Store the lens in an approved case in an approved cleaning solution. This can include a multipurpose solution or peroxide based solution as recommended by your eye care professional.
It is important to remember to COMPLETELY change the solution after every period of cleaning and to change out the case in regular intervals as recommended by your eye care professional.
It is important to replace lenses on a regular interval. This varies widely based on type/brand of lens and eye condition. This interval should be established with your eye care professional.

References

Lina M Shaker, Ahmed Al-Amiery, Wan Nor Roslam Wan Isahak, Revolutionizing contact lens manufacturing: exploring cutting-edge techniques and innovations for enhanced vision and comfort, International Journal of Low-Carbon Technologies, Volume 19, 2024, Pages 359–385, https://doi.org/10.1093/ijlct/ctad136
“Application and Removal of Duette Hybrid Contact Lenses.” SynergEyes, synergeyesresourcehub.com/application-and-removal-of-duette-hybrid-contact-lenses/#before_you_start. Accessed 19 Feb. 2025.
Abdalla YF, Elsahn AF, Hammersmith KM, Cohen EJ. SynergEyes lenses for keratoconus. Cornea. 2010 Jan;29(1):5-8. doi: 10.1097/ICO.0b013e3181a9d090. PMID: 19907301.
Jinabhai, Amit B.Sc. (Hons); Radhakrishnan, Hema Ph.D.; O’Donnell, Clare Ph.D.. Visual Acuity and Ocular Aberrations With Different Rigid Gas Permeable Lens Fittings in Keratoconus. Eye & Contact Lens: Science & Clinical Practice 36(4):p 233-237, July 2010. | DOI: 10.1097/ICL.0b013e3181e52dd1
“Application and Removal of Duette Hybrid Contact Lenses.” SynergEyes, synergeyesresourcehub.com/application-and-removal-of-duette-hybrid-contact-lenses/#before_you_start. Accessed 19 Feb. 2025.