Scleral lenses are an innovative solution for patients experiencing visual discomfort after refractive surgery. Our skilled eye doctors specialize in providing custom-fit scleral lenses to address specific post-surgical challenges, ensuring you enjoy clear and comfortable vision once again.
Scleral lenses are a specialized type of rigid gas permeable lens that vault over the cornea, providing a smooth optical surface that can correct irregularities left after refractive surgery. They help manage issues like residual astigmatism, corneal ectasia, and post-surgical dry eye by creating a fluid reservoir between the lens and the eye. Our eye doctors are here to help guide you through the benefits of scleral lenses after refractive surgery so that you can enjoy stable, clear, and comfortable vision.
Refractive surgeries such as LASIK, PRK, and RK have helped millions achieve improved vision by reshaping the cornea. However, while many patients achieve excellent outcomes, others may experience complications that leave the cornea irregular. This irregularity can lead to issues like blurred vision, glare, halos, light sensitivity, and in some cases, the development of corneal ectasia—a condition where the cornea becomes weak and begins to bulge.
Following refractive surgery, some patients also deal with dry eye symptoms caused by disruptions in tear production. Even when the procedure successfully corrects the refractive error, traditional glasses or soft contact lenses may not fully address the residual aberrations or the discomfort that patients experience. Here’s the thing: when standard options fall short, scleral lenses offer an advanced solution that can bridge the gap between functional vision and daily comfort.
Scleral lenses differ significantly from standard soft lenses. Their larger diameter means they extend well beyond the corneal surface to seal onto the sclera—the white part of the eye. This design creates a dome-like chamber that vaults over the irregular or sensitive areas of the cornea. The space filled with a sterile saline solution serves as a constant bath, providing ongoing hydration and neutralizing corneal irregularities. In essence, the lens acts like a smooth window over your eye, reducing distortions and enhancing visual clarity.
For those who have undergone refractive surgery, this is a game-changer. After procedures that alter corneal shape, uneven surfaces or residual astigmatism can lead to unpredictable vision quality. The liquid reservoir not only supports hydration but also smooths over any surface variations, resulting in a consistent refractive surface that standard contact lenses simply cannot match.
Our eye doctors customize scleral lenses with precise parameters to address the unique shape of your post-surgical cornea. With the help of advanced corneal topography, they can map out the surface and identify key areas that need additional clearance or support. In cases where the post-refractive corneal shape shows significant irregularities, an increase in midperipheral clearance—ensuring the lens vaults perfectly over delicate areas—can protect the eye while enhancing vision.
This tailored approach ensures that the lens not only corrects refractive error but also adapts to the specific challenges posed by surgical alterations. It is this level of refinement that makes scleral lenses a preferred option when dealing with uneven corneas and dry eye symptoms after surgery.
One of the greatest advantages of scleral lenses is their ability to create a uniform optical surface. Post-refractive surgery, the irregularities on the cornea can scatter light and cause visual disturbances like glare and halos, especially in low-light conditions. Scleral lenses reduce these effects by providing an even refracting surface, leading to sharper, more stable vision.
When you look out at the world through a well-fitted scleral lens, you experience fewer distortions. The smooth optical profile translates to better contrast sensitivity and improved clarity, even in challenging lighting, making it easier to drive at night or read in dim environments.
Many patients report that post-surgical eyes feel dry or irritated, as the surgery can disrupt normal tear film production. Scleral lenses are designed to hold a reservoir of saline solution that continuously bathes the cornea, offering sustained moisture and relief from dryness. This hydration can mitigate many of the irritating symptoms that often accompany laser eye surgery.
In addition to relieving dry eye symptoms, the unique design of scleral lenses minimizes contact with the sensitive corneal surface. By resting on the less sensitive sclera, these lenses are often more comfortable for long-term wear, making them suitable for all-day use without the discomfort typical of some rigid lenses.
The stability of scleral lenses is another key benefit, particularly important for post-refractive surgery patients who might have experienced fluctuating vision due to soft lens movement. Because scleral lenses are larger and rest on the more rigid sclera, they remain centered throughout the day, reducing the risk of the lens shifting or dislodging. This stability is crucial for maintaining the sharp, consistent vision you need as you go about your daily activities.
With fewer movements, you also benefit from a consistent visual field that doesn’t compromise your ability to see clearly—an important factor for patients who rely on precise vision for activities such as reading, driving, or working on detailed tasks.
Following refractive procedures, it is critical that the eye has ample time to heal before transitioning to contact lens wear. Typically, our eye doctors recommend waiting until the eye has stabilized—this may be anywhere from a few weeks to several months post-surgery. This period allows the corneal surface to settle and ensures that any residual healing does not compromise the fitting of the lens.
Waiting until the healing has fully progressed, and once any sutures or temporary patches are removed, enables a more accurate assessment of the corneal shape. Only then can a properly customized scleral lens be designed to fit both the unique topography and the evolving optical needs of the eye.
Scleral lenses can be a particularly effective solution for patients who have developed complications such as:
Each of these complications can benefit significantly from the unique design characteristics of scleral lenses, which offer both optical correction and physical protection for the healing eye.
The journey to a successful scleral lens fitting begins with a comprehensive eye examination. Our eye doctors use advanced imaging techniques such as corneal topography to capture a detailed map of the ocular surface. This map not only helps in understanding the unique curvature and irregularities of your cornea but also aids in selecting the most appropriate lens parameters.
Following refractive surgery, the corneal landscape can be unpredictable. Detailed topographic measurements ensure that the lens design—whether featuring aspheric or oblate optics—is precisely tailored to vault properly over any irregular areas while ensuring maximum comfort and stability.
Once the corneal profile is established, our eye doctors determine the optimal parameters for the scleral lens, such as diameter, sagittal depth, and midperipheral clearance. The goal is to achieve complete vaulting over the irregular cornea without causing undue pressure on the ocular surface. This often involves selecting lenses made from high oxygen-permeable materials, reducing the risk of hypoxia by allowing sufficient oxygen transmission to the cornea.
A careful balance is maintained during this step: increasing the lens diameter is one method to ensure proper vaulting, but it must be weighed against the risk of reduced oxygen transmissibility due to increased lens thickness. In some cases, our eye doctors may suggest a lens with fenestrations—small openings that improve oxygen flow—to further protect the health of your cornea.
If you're struggling with uncomfortable vision after refractive surgery, schedule a consultation with our experienced eye doctors today. We'll customize your scleral lenses to ensure you regain clear, comfortable vision that lasts all day!
Fitting scleral lenses after refractive surgery is not a one-time event—it requires continuous monitoring and adjustments. Patients are educated on proper lens care, cleaning routines, and the importance of maintaining strict hygiene to prevent infections. Detailed follow-up appointments allow our eye doctors to make any necessary adjustments, ensuring that the lens continues to fit comfortably as your eye adapts over time.
It’s important to know that the success of scleral lens wear is also determined by how well you understand and adhere to aftercare recommendations. Regular check-ups help assess any potential risks of hypoxic stress or corneal edema, particularly in eyes that have undergone significant surgical change.
The cornea’s health depends greatly on its oxygen supply. Post-refractive surgery eyes can be especially sensitive, and our eye doctors carefully select scleral lenses made from the highest Dk/t materials available. These materials allow for optimal oxygen passage, which is crucial, particularly for patients with already compromised ocular surfaces.
If a patient has a lower corneal endothelial cell count, special caution is exercised since the risk of hypoxic complications increases. Techniques like reducing lens center thickness or using fenestrated designs can help mitigate these risks. Studies suggest that maintaining a minimum endothelial cell count is vital, so our eye doctors evaluate this parameter thoroughly before fitting scleral lenses.
Even with a well-fitted scleral lens, patients need to be aware of the possibility of minor complications. For instance, a slight degree of corneal edema may occur, especially in eyes that have undergone more invasive procedures such as full-thickness transplants or multiple refractive enhancements. Such cases require careful lens monitoring and might necessitate shorter wearing times initially.
Other potential issues include the risk of increased intraocular pressure, particularly in patients with a history of glaucoma. While these pressure changes related to scleral lens wear are typically minimal, they are taken into account when planning the post-surgical management strategy. Our eye doctors keep a close watch and recommend regular follow-ups to ensure that any changes in corneal physiology are detected and managed promptly.
For many post-refractive surgery patients, soft contact lenses simply conform to the irregular corneal surface rather than correcting it. This can result in unstable vision and further discomfort—issues that scleral lenses are specifically designed to overcome. While rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses can offer a smoother optical surface, their smaller size may still lead to discomfort when used on sensitive, post-surgical eyes.
Scleral lenses stand out in that they offer the dual benefits of visual clarity and superior comfort. Their larger size distributes the lens’ weight over a broader area, reducing pressure on the healing cornea and limiting the risk of additional mechanical stress. Patients have reported that the stable fit of scleral lenses not only improves vision but also provides a reassurance that other options often lack.
The innovation behind scleral lenses is their ability to correct vision while simultaneously protecting the ocular surface. Unlike additional laser enhancements or further surgical procedures—which may pose further risks for an already compromised cornea—scleral lenses offer a non-invasive alternative. They effectively mask irregularities, correct residual refractive errors (including myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism), and even assist in reducing high-order aberrations that contribute to glare and halos.
Because they create a barrier between the lens and the ocular tissue, scleral lenses help safeguard the delicate, post-surgical cornea from external irritants and mechanical trauma. This aspect is particularly beneficial for eyes that are still healing or those prone to dry eye syndrome.
Scleral lenses offer a safe, non-invasive solution for vision challenges after refractive surgery by creating a smooth optical surface and maintaining constant lubrication. If blurred vision, glare, or discomfort persists after surgery, our eye doctors can provide personalized care to restore your vision and quality of life—contact us for a consultation today.
If you're struggling with uncomfortable vision after refractive surgery, schedule a consultation with our experienced eye doctors today. We'll customize your scleral lenses to ensure you regain clear, comfortable vision that lasts all day!
Scleral lenses offer comfort and clarity for patients post-refractive surgery. Find specialized providers to guide your recovery today.
