Scleral Lenses: The Best Contact Lenses for Athletes
What Are Scleral Lenses?
Scleral lenses are custom-made, large-diameter rigid gas-permeable lenses that vault over the cornea and rest on the sclera. They trap a reservoir of fluid against the eye, providing hydration and protection while correcting complex vision issues.
Scleral lenses are larger than traditional contact lenses, covering the entire cornea and landing on the white part of the eye. This design minimizes lens movement and keeps the lens stable during vigorous activities and rapid movements in sports.
The gap between the lens and cornea fills with preservative-free saline solution, creating a fluid reservoir. This continuous hydration benefits those with dry eye or irregular corneas by smoothing the optical surface and keeping the cornea moist.
High-oxygen-permeable materials are used to maintain corneal health during extended wear. These materials allow more oxygen to reach the eye, reducing the risk of hypoxia-related complications.
High Dk values ensure adequate oxygen transmission through the lens and to the cornea. Proper oxygen flow supports corneal metabolism, helps prevent red, tired eyes, and reduces the risk of neovascularization.
Scleral lenses can be tailored to specific eye shapes and sizes to optimize fit, comfort, and vision.
- Variable diameters to accommodate different scleral curvatures
- Adjustable sagittal depths for vaulting over corneal irregularities
- Custom edge profiles to optimize tear exchange and comfort
Benefits of Scleral Lenses for Athletes
These lenses provide a combination of stability, protection, and clear vision under dynamic sports conditions. They help athletes maintain optimal performance with fewer visual distractions.
The larger diameter and snug fit mean scleral lenses are less prone to displacement during rapid head movements. This ensures uninterrupted focus in high-speed sports like basketball, soccer, and tennis.
The fluid reservoir prevents dryness by keeping the cornea continuously hydrated. This is ideal for athletes training in windy, dry, or dusty environments, allowing for longer play without irritation.
The larger lens diameter shields the cornea from dust, sweat, and debris. This physical barrier lowers the risk of corneal abrasions and infections during play.
The tear-filled vault corrects irregularities in the cornea from conditions like keratoconus or scarring. This delivers sharper, clearer vision for athletes with complex refractive errors.
Scleral lenses can be customized with special tints to filter distracting glare and enhance contrast. This is especially useful for athletes in bright outdoor sports like cycling, golf, or skiing.
After intense play, the fluid reservoir soothes the ocular surface. This helps to reduce post-activity redness, discomfort, and irritation.
The Fitting Process
A precise, multi-step fitting process is crucial for ensuring optimal comfort, safety, and visual performance. Our eye care team guides athletes through each step to ensure an ideal lens fit.
The process starts with a comprehensive exam to evaluate corneal shape, ocular surface health, and tear film quality. These measurements determine lens suitability and guide the initial selection.
Multiple trial lenses with varying diameters and curvatures are tested on the eye. Adjustments are made based on the fit, visual clarity, and your comfort feedback to achieve the best outcome.
Athletes receive personalized, hands-on instruction on lens insertion, removal, and handling. Mastery of these techniques is key to maintaining hygiene and preventing lens damage.
Advanced imaging and tear breakup time tests may be used to assess tear film stability. This helps your doctor customize the fluid reservoir thickness for maximum comfort.
Based on the trial fitting and comfort feedback, precise adjustments to lens diameter, sagittal depth, and edge design are made. The final, fully customized lenses are then ordered.
Caring for Scleral Lenses
Proper maintenance and consistent care routines are essential to preserve lens performance and reduce the risk of complications. Following recommended protocols will prolong lens life and protect your eye health.
Rinse lenses with preservative-free saline after each use, then clean with approved disinfecting solutions. Always soak lenses overnight in fresh disinfecting solution to eliminate microbial contaminants.
Store lenses in a clean case filled with fresh solution each time. Always handle lenses with clean, dry hands and replace your lens case every three months to minimize contamination risks.
Schedule follow-up exams every six months to monitor your lens fit, ocular health, and make any necessary adjustments. These visits help detect early signs of irritation or lens wear issues.
Inspect your lenses daily for any chips, cracks, or protein deposits that could cause discomfort or infection. If you notice any damage, do not wear the lens and contact your doctor.
Plan for lens replacement every one to two years, or as recommended by your eye care professional. This ensures you maintain optimal vision, comfort, and safety.
Who Should Consider Scleral Lenses?
Scleral lenses offer unique benefits for athletes with specific visual and ocular needs. A professional evaluation with a specialist will determine if they are the right choice for you.
For those with dry eye syndrome, the fluid reservoir maintains consistent hydration. This prevents dryness and irritation during activity, enhancing comfort and visual focus throughout competition.
Individuals who experience discomfort, redness, or itchy eyes with soft or smaller rigid gas-permeable lenses often find scleral lenses more tolerable. The reduced lens movement minimizes friction on the eye.
Conditions such as keratoconus, pellucid marginal degeneration, or corneal scarring cause vision distortion. Scleral lenses correct this by creating a perfectly smooth optical surface over the irregular cornea.
Patients who have undergone corneal transplants or refractive surgery like RK often achieve better, more stable vision and superior comfort with custom-fit scleral lenses.
The large lens acts as a barrier that prevents environmental allergens like pollen and dust from directly contacting the cornea. The fluid layer also helps soothe irritation during allergy seasons.
FAQs
Find answers to common questions athletes have about using scleral lenses for sports, wear, care, and performance.
With proper training and the use of a lens inserter, most athletes become proficient at inserting and removing scleral lenses within a few days. Practice and proper technique are key to building confidence.
Most athletes comfortably wear scleral lenses for 10 to 12 hours daily. Some may extend wear up to 14 hours based on individual comfort and eye health, as determined by your eye doctor.
Yes, scleral lenses are highly customizable and can correct both regular and irregular astigmatism, as well as high prescriptions. Their stable fit over the cornea delivers consistent, sharp vision.
Scleral lenses can range from one thousand to several thousand dollars per eye, depending on the complexity of the customization. Many vision or medical insurance plans offer partial coverage when the lenses are prescribed for a medical reason, such as keratoconus.
Swimming with any type of contact lens is not recommended due to the risk of serious, sight-threatening infections from waterborne microorganisms. It is best to use well-fitted, waterproof swim goggles instead.
Scleral lenses offer superior stability, hydration, vision correction for irregular corneas, and debris protection compared to soft lenses. This helps reduce performance-related distractions under harsh conditions or during rapid movements.
While safe for most sports, athletes participating in high-contact activities like football or martial arts should wear protective sports goggles over their scleral lenses to prevent eye injuries from direct impact.
If discomfort, redness, or blurry vision occurs, you should remove and rinse the lenses with sterile saline. Do not reinsert them until you consult your eye doctor to rule out lens damage or ocular irritation.
Most athletes adjust to the feeling of scleral lenses within a few days to two weeks. Any initial awareness of the lens on your eye typically decreases as you acclimate to the larger diameter and stable fit.
Yes, but you should apply makeup after inserting your lenses to avoid getting particles on or under the lens. It is best to use oil-free products to prevent deposits and lens fogging, and always remove lenses before cleansing your face.
Taking Care of Your Eyes
Proper fitting, consistent handling, and regular follow-up care are essential to maximize the benefits of scleral lenses for your athletic performance and ocular health. Schedule an evaluation with our eye doctors today to explore if scleral lenses are right for you.