If you have a strong glasses prescription, you might wonder whether contact lenses can offer the same clarity—and comfort. The good news? Contact lens technology has come a long way, and even people with very high prescriptions or complex vision needs have options.
Most soft contact lenses correct up to about -12.00 for nearsightedness and +8.00 for farsightedness, but some can go as high as +/-20.00. For even stronger prescriptions, custom specialty lenses like RGP, scleral, or hybrid contacts may be needed.
In this post, we’ll break down what’s considered a “high” prescription, how high prescriptions are handled with contacts, and what types of specialty lenses are available for people with conditions like keratoconus, corneal scars, or a history of eye surgery. Whether you’re nearsighted, farsighted, or dealing with an irregular cornea, the right lens is often within reach—with the help of an experienced optometrist.
What’s Considered a High Prescription?
In general, prescriptions are measured in diopters (D):
- Mild myopia (nearsightedness): -0.25D to -3.00D
- Moderate myopia: -3.00D to -6.00D
- High myopia: Greater than -6.00D
- High hyperopia (farsightedness): Typically anything above +5.00D
Prescriptions above -12.00D or +8.00D are considered very high, but it’s not uncommon for some patients to require much stronger correction.
Certain monthly soft contact lenses can correct up to +/-20.00D, while custom and specialty lenses may go even higher—sometimes beyond -30.00D. Add in astigmatism or corneal irregularities, and finding the right lens becomes more complex—but with the right expertise, it’s absolutely possible.
Is There a Maximum Contact Lens Prescription?
There’s no single “highest” contact lens prescription because lenses can be custom-made to suit individual needs. Most standard soft contact lenses are available up to about -12.00D for myopia and +8.00D for hyperopia. However, specialty lenses—like rigid gas-permeable (RGP), scleral, or hybrid lenses—can be designed with much higher powers and custom parameters.
If you’ve been told in the past that your prescription is “too strong” for contacts, it’s worth getting a second opinion. With advances in diagnostic tools and lens materials, even those with extreme prescriptions now have access to safe, comfortable, and effective lenses.
Specialty Contact Lenses for Complex Prescriptions
People with high prescriptions often need more than just off-the-shelf lenses. That’s where specialty contact lenses come in. These lenses are custom-designed using detailed corneal data to provide clearer vision for patients who may not be well-served by traditional contacts.
Scleral Lenses
Scleral lenses are larger lenses that vault over the cornea and rest on the sclera (the white part of the eye). They’re ideal for people with irregular corneas, high prescriptions, or chronic dry eye. Sclerals can correct extremely high levels of myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism while offering exceptional comfort and clarity.
Rigid Gas-Permeable (RGP) Lenses
RGP lenses are small, firm lenses that maintain their shape on the eye. Because they don’t mold to the cornea the way soft lenses do, they can correct for irregularities in the eye’s surface and offer sharper vision than soft lenses—especially for people with high prescriptions or keratoconus.
Hybrid Lenses
Hybrid lenses combine a rigid center (for sharp vision) with a soft outer skirt (for comfort). They’re a great option for people with high or irregular prescriptions who find RGPs uncomfortable but still need a more precise correction than standard soft lenses can offer.
Piggyback Systems
In a piggyback system, a soft lens is worn underneath a rigid lens. This combination helps improve comfort while maintaining the vision benefits of a rigid lens. It’s often used for patients who can’t tolerate RGPs alone due to high sensitivity or corneal irregularities.
Custom Soft Lenses
For people who prefer soft lenses but have high or unique prescriptions, custom soft lenses can be manufactured to exact specifications. These lenses are made based on detailed measurements of your eye’s shape and refractive error.
Prosthetic Contact Lenses
In cases where the cornea or iris is damaged, prosthetic contact lenses can improve both appearance and function. These lenses are tinted or opaque to match the natural look of your iris while also reducing glare and light sensitivity. They can be designed to include a prescription, so you’re not compromising on vision correction.
Diagnostic Technology: Corneal Topography
To design these lenses, your optometrist may use corneal topography—a noninvasive imaging technique that creates a highly detailed map of the cornea’s surface. This data allows for the creation of custom lenses that align precisely with the shape of your eye, leading to better vision, fit, and comfort.
Corneal topography is especially important for those with:
- Irregular astigmatism
- Keratoconus
- Post-surgical corneas (including LASIK, RK, and corneal transplants)
- Corneal scars
Vision After Eye Surgery
If you’ve had refractive or corneal surgery, your eyes may have changed shape in ways that make standard lenses less effective. Thankfully, specialty contact lenses—especially scleral and RGP lenses—can restore clear vision by correcting the optical irregularities left behind by procedures like LASIK or corneal transplants.
Even complex post-surgical eyes can often achieve crisp, functional vision with the right lens and fitting approach.
High Prescription? You Still Have Options
The idea that contact lenses aren’t possible for high prescriptions is outdated. Whether you have extreme nearsightedness, farsightedness, or irregular corneal anatomy, modern lens technology—and the expertise to apply it—can provide excellent results.
At Coast Optometry in Huntington Beach, we are experienced in fitting high-prescription and specialty contact lenses. Whether you have keratoconus, corneal scars, post-surgical eyes, or just a strong glasses prescription, our team is here to help you find the clarity and comfort you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a contact lens consultation and explore your options for high-prescription or specialty lenses.
