Fitting Retinal Disease Patients

Before initiating any contact lens fitting, confirm retinal stability because many retinal diseases—including diabetic macular edema, retinal vein occlusion, and postoperative scarring following retinal detachment—can fluctuate over time.

By
Ryan McKinnis, OD, FAAO
March 2, 2026
4 min

Optometric Management

Objective:

To provide strategies for optimizing contact lens fitting in patients with retinal diseases.

Approach:

Key Findings:

Retinal stability is crucial for successful contact lens fitting.
Patients with peripheral retinal disease may benefit from standard soft lenses.
High-DK silicone hydrogel and daily disposable lenses improve comfort for patients with ocular surface disease.
Scleral lenses are preferred for patients with neurotrophic keratitis or significant ocular surface disease.
Patient education and support are essential for improving satisfaction and outcomes.

Interpretation:

A structured approach to fitting contact lenses in patients with retinal disease can enhance visual outcomes and patient satisfaction.

Limitations:

The article does not provide specific data on success rates of different lens types in retinal disease patients.
Individual patient variability may affect the generalizability of the strategies presented.

Conclusion:

Optimizing contact lens fitting in retinal disease patients requires careful consideration of retinal stability, visual experience, ocular surface health, and patient support.