Advantages of Scleral Lenses: A Complete Guide
Dr. Tina Goodhew
May 28, 2026
Scleral lenses offer sharp vision and better comfort for a wide range of conditions!
Scleral Contact lenses are characterized by their large diameter and unique design, they provide a range of benefits that extend beyond traditional contact lens options. Scleral contact lenses are ideal for patients with keratoconus, diseased corneas, post-corneal surgery, and even patients suffering from dry eye disease. In this blog post, we’ll delve into scleral lenses, exploring their advantages, applications, and considerations for potential wearers.
Understanding Scleral Lenses
Scleral lenses are very different from regular contact lenses due to their larger size and rigid material. They vault over the cornea and rest on the sclera (the white part of the eye). This unique characteristic creates a reservoir of fluid between the lens and the cornea – bathing the surface of the eye in your own natural tears.
4 Advantages of Scleral Contact Lenses:
- Comfortable Wear:Scleral lenses are renowned for their exceptional comfort for two reasons. First, they don’t make direct contact with the cornea which is one of the most sensitive tissues in the human body. Secondly, the lenses are made from gas permeable plastic with no water content so they don’t dry out during lens wear. Individuals with sensitive or irregularly shaped corneas often find these lenses much more comfortable than traditional contact lenses.
- Very Stable Vision: The large diameter and stable positioning of scleral lenses contribute to more consistent vision. This stability can be particularly beneficial for individuals with astigmatism or irregular corneal surfaces, providing clearer and sharper vision.
- Dry Eye Management: Think of scleral lenses as a shield covering the ocular surface. The fluid reservoir created between the scleral lens and the cornea bathes the eye with fluid and does not evaporate. This makes them an excellent option for individuals suffering from dry eye disease. Traditional contact lenses typically dehydrate over the course of the day, aggravating symptoms of dry eye.
- Correction for Irregular Corneas: Scleral lenses are often prescribed for individuals with irregular corneas caused by conditions such as keratoconus, corneal transplants, or corneal scarring. The lenses provide a “new” smooth pristine optical surface above the cornea, greatly enhancing vision for those with challenging corneal shapes.
Why Choose Abbey Eye Care For All of Your Scleral Lens Needs:
Professional Fitting
Scleral contact lenses are custom-made for each wearer, so fitting scleral contacts demands greater expertise and more time than fitting standard soft or GP contact lenses. In addition, high tech equipment is needed to generate computerized maps of the curvature of the cornea and to facilitate the lens fitting. Dr. Tina Goodhew has fit hundreds of patients with varying types of ocular conditions successfully with scleral lenses. Her expertise and the advanced equipment at her disposal greatly increase the chance of you being successfully fit with these innovative lenses at Abbey Eye Care.
Proper Training on Insertion & Removal
Scleral lenses require a very different technique to insert and remove them successfully. Dr. Tina Goodhew and her team of highly trained Optometric Assistants will teach you how to insert and remove these lenses easily so you can enjoy the clear comfortable vision they provide.
Ongoing Care
Regular follow-ups for scleral contact lens wearers are required to ensure your eyes remain healthy and your vision remains optimal.
FAQ’s
How long does the fitting process take?
Scleral lens fittings take longer than a standard contact lens fitting. At the first visit, Dr. Tina Goodhew maps your corneal curvature using our topography equipment and determines you candidacy for scleral lenses. If you are a candidate, the next step would be for you to try a “trial” scleral lens on in the office to experience the sensation of wearing this type of contact lens and also get a sense of what the vision would be like. If that trial works well and you want to proceed then your lenses would be custom-made, which typically takes one to two weeks. To complete the fitting process, it can take up to three to four visits afterward.
How long does it take to get used to scleral lenses?
Most patients adapt within a few weeks. Because sclerals vault over the cornea entirely, they feel different from soft lenses or other hard contact lenses. Handling is a little different too: inserting and removing scleral lenses with a plunger like tool is often required. With proper training, most patients pick it up quickly, and many notice the comfort improvement almost immediately.
How long do scleral lenses last?
With proper care, scleral lenses typically last one to two years. The durable gas-permeable material holds up far better than a soft disposable contact lenses, and since they’re custom-designed for your eye, small changes to fit or prescription can be addressed at your annual follow-up rather than starting over from scratch.
How many hours a day can I wear scleral lenses?
Most patients wear them comfortably for 12 to 16 hours per day. The fluid reservoir keeps your ocular surface hydrated all day, so you won’t hit that mid-afternoon dryness that’s common with soft lenses. If you notice your comfortable wearing time dropping, it’s worth coming in for a follow-up. The fit or saline inserted into the lens “bowl” may need tweaking.
Can I sleep in scleral lenses?
No. Scleral lenses are not approved for overnight wear. They need to be removed, cleaned, and stored each night. This is part of why the handling training we provide matters. With a little practice, the nightly routine becomes second nature..
What solution do I use to fill the lens before inserting?
The reservoir or “bowl” of the lens is filled with sterile, preservative-free saline before each insertion. Using the right solution matters. Preservatives found in standard contact lens solutions can irritate the eye under a scleral lens. Dr. Goodhew will prescribe the specific saline that suits your eyes at your fitting. Occasionally, a preservative-free artificial tear can be added to the lens bowl along with the preservative free saline.
Are scleral lenses covered by insurance?
Coverage depends on your plan. Some extended health plans include a contact lens benefit that applies to scleral lenses, and for patients with conditions like keratoconus, additional coverage may be available. We’ll can help you understand what your plan covers before your fitting so there are no surprises.
What if I’ve tried multiple contact lenses and nothing has worked?
That’s often exactly when scleral lenses make the most difference. Patients who couldn’t tolerate soft lenses due to dry eye, irregular corneas, or chronic discomfort often find sclerals work when nothing else did. If you’ve given up on contact lenses, a scleral lens consultation is worth booking. There may be options you haven’t tried yet.
In Summary
Scleral lenses represent a huge technological leap forward in the contact lens category, offering comfort, stability, and improved vision for individuals with more challenging corneal conditions. Many of our patients have gained significant improvement in their quality of vision and most importantly their quality of life.
If you’re considering scleral lenses, consult with our team of highly trained doctors and technicians to see if these lenses are right for you.
If you would like more information on scleral lenses, the Scleral Lens Society has some excellent resources for patients.
