title: SynergEyes lenses for keratoconus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To discuss the initial results of fitting SynergEyes hybrid contact lenses (SynergEyes, Inc, Carlsbad, CA) for keratoconus (KC) and pellucid marginal degeneration (PMD).
  
  
  METHODS
  The charts of patients fit with SynergEyes lenses during the first 7 months the lens was available on the Cornea Service at Wills Eye Institute (August 3, 2006 to March 5, 2007) were retrospectively reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-one eyes (44 patients) with KC (58 eyes) or PMD (3 eyes) were fit with SynergEyes hybrid contacts. The mean age was 40 +/- 12.6 years; the mean follow-up period was 7.8 +/- 4.6 months. The most common indication for SynergEyes was rigid gas permeable (RGP) lens intolerance, 31 of 61 eyes (50.8%). Inability to fit with RGP was the indication in 8 eyes (13.1%), and 22 eyes (36%) were refit from SoftPerm (Ciba Vision, Corp, Duluth, GA). Twenty-two patients required refitting, including 17 base curve changes and 5 skirt changes. The success rate was 86.9% (53 of 61 eyes). Most failures (8 eyes of 6 patients) discontinued the lens within the first 1-2 months because of discomfort (5 eyes) or unsatisfactory vision (3 eyes).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SynergEyes lenses are a promising alternative for visual rehabilitation in patients with KC and PMD who are intolerant or unable to be fit in RGP lenses.
authors.affiliation: Cornea Service, Wills Eye Institute, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Yasmine F
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Abdalla
authors.forename: Ahmad F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Elsahn
authors.forename: Kristin M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Hammersmith
authors.forename: Elisabeth J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Cohen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001251:Astigmatism / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003261:Contact Lenses; D003317:Corneal Dystrophies, Hereditary / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007640:Keratoconus / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D017755:Prosthesis Fitting; D019233:Retreatment; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult