Corneal GP lenses remain a powerful tool for managing complex corneal and refractive challenges. In the 2026 Global Specialty Lens Symposium breakout session, “Unleashing the Potential of Corneal GPs: A Case-Based Review of Advanced GP Designs,” Andrea Lasby, OD, and Sheila Morrison, OD, MSc, highlighted how modern designs, elevation-based fitting, and strategic problem-solving can elevate outcomes across irregular corneas, postsurgical eyes, and pediatric patients.
“Corneal GP lenses are an important tool in the toolkit of any eyecare practitioner. There are many situations when a scleral or hybrid lens may not be the best option for your patient,” says Dr. Lasby. “I love talking about corneal GPs because they’re like vinyl records—written off as outdated but back because nothing else quite matches the performance.”
“I love teaching this topic because it empowers ECPs to tackle complex cases such as irregular corneas, pediatric patients, amblyopia, and myopia with precision and creativity,” says Dr. Morrison. “Do not overlook the power of a corneal GP lens. Using both foundational principles and modern innovation to match the right lens to the right eye optimizes patient outcomes.”
Here are 5 key strategies for elevating your corneal GP practice:
1. Think in Elevation, Not Just Ks
Focus on sagittal height rather than curvature alone, using corneal topography/tomography to estimate sagittal height at an appropriate chord length so you can select base curve and diameter more accurately and reduce trial-and-error—especially for atypical corneas.
2. Use Diameter and Edge Design as Tools
Employ diameter tweaks and peripheral curve adjustments to control centration, stability, and tear exchange—using larger overall diameter (OAD) for against-the-rule (ATR) and high astigmatisms, smaller diameters for steep corneas, and edge-lift changes when comfort or debris issues arise.
3. Control Lid Interactions With Lenticular Changes
Modify lenticular profiles to influence lid interaction, using thinner minus-lenticular edges to enhance lid attachment in high-minus lenses and thicker plus-lenticular edges to improve eyelid engagement in plus powers or smaller OAD designs.
4. Tackle Residual Astigmatism With Design
When the residual cylinder exceeds 0.75 D, consider toric GP designs—back-toric, bitoric, or front-toric—and remember that bitorics often boost both visual clarity and rotational stability (with spectacles as an addition when needed).
5. Use Fluorescein Pattern Evaluation
Evaluate fluorescein across the entire lens—center, midperiphery, and edge—to detect signs such as temporal lift-off or inferior decentration early, recognizing that GP success hinges more on peripheral and lid-interaction refinements than on central fitting.