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 users.
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.
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.
