What are scleral lenses?
Get this: Many people find that scleral lenses improve their vision without causing discomfort. Total win, right?
Scleral lenses are unique contact lenses that are custom-made for each patient. These contact lenses are gas-permeable, which means they let oxygen into your eyes. This helps prevent issues from oxygen deprivation, known as hypoxia. Hypoxia can cause major damage by making your cornea swell, and you may even experience vision loss. Scary stuff.
You may benefit from scleral lenses if you have corneal irregularities, dry eyes, or a unique eye shape. They also work well for some patients who have had post-refractive surgery, such as LASIK. Like , scleral contact lenses can treat astigmatism, blurred vision, nearsightedness, and farsightedness. Your eye doctor can help you decide if scleral lenses are right for you.
Understanding scleral lenses
Definition and function
Scleral lenses are large, gas-permeable contact lenses that stretch across the entire cornea and sclera, hence their name. Your sclera is the white part of your eye, and traditional contact lenses don't cover this area. Regular contact lenses are the same size as your cornea, which is the dome-shaped layer across your pupil, iris, and anterior chamber.
Scleral lenses create a protective reservoir of tears between the lens and the eye's surface. This happens because scleral contact lenses contain a pure saline solution that lubricates your eyes. Take that, dry eyes.
Addressing complex vision needs
Scleral lenses are often used for complex vision issues, such as irregular corneas or severe dry eyes. These contact lenses help deliver clearer, more comfortable vision for people with these and other ocular conditions.
Benefits of scleral lenses
Improved visual clarity
Scleral lenses help create a smooth optical surface because they stretch across the entire eye instead of sitting awkwardly against irregular corneas. This can help prevent unpleasant issues like visual distortions and aberrations. Regular contact lenses just cover the corneas, which means they can fall out of place and make your vision go wonky if you blink or cry.
Comfortable wear
Scleral contacts help prevent direct corneal contact because they cover your entire eye instead of just your corneas. Plus, these contacts are lubricated, which helps prevent pain triggered by dry eyes.
Stable fit
Scleral lenses are made just for you — and who doesn't love getting the royal treatment? Because these lenses are custom-made for your needs, they treat your eyes to a stable, secure fit. Impressive, huh?
If you're tired of dealing with lens movement from traditional contacts, ask your doctor if you can give scleral lenses a try. They may deliver the comfortable fit and moisturizing magic that your eyes crave.
Conditions that benefit from scleral lenses
Keratoconus and irregular corneas
Scleral lenses are often recommended for individuals with keratoconus and other conditions caused by irregular corneas. Corneal irregularities can make it difficult to wear traditional contact lenses because these lenses sit directly on the corneas, causing discomfort. Scleral contacts cover the entire eye, so they aren't pressing directly on your cornea.
Severe dry eye syndrome
Imagine if you could finally get relief from dry, achy eyes that feel worse with disposable contact lenses. Scleral lenses can help individuals with severe dry eyes by providing a moisturizing reservoir of tears. It's basically your own personal lubrication system courtesy of the isotonic fluid that gets added before scleral contacts are inserted. Hellooooo, dry-eye relief.
Post-surgical vision correction
After surgery for vision correction, you may find your eyes are more sensitive or have developed a different corneal shape. Scleral contact lenses help protect your eyes and promote the healing process because they aren't pushing uncomfortably against your corneas.
Scleral lenses: the recap
If soft contact lenses don't meet your needs, ask your vision care provider about scleral lenses.
Individuals with complex vision needs should consult an eye care professional to determine if scleral lenses are the right choice. If not, your doctor may recommend soft contacts, such as AquaSoft daily lenses, or prescription glasses.
FAQs
Are scleral lenses comfortable to wear?
Many people find scleral lenses more comfortable than traditional contact lenses because scleral contacts are larger and provide lubrication.
Can anyone wear scleral lenses, or are they specifically for certain eye conditions?
Scleral lenses can help with a number of conditions and symptoms, including dry eyes, Sjogren's syndrome, corneal irregularities such as keratoconus, nearsightedness, and farsightedness.
How are scleral lenses different from traditional contact lenses?
Traditional contact lenses cover your cornea, while scleral lenses are larger and cover your sclera as well. Scleral lenses are hard, gas-permeable lenses that are custom-designed for each patient.