Who Can Benefit From Scleral Lenses?
Key Features of Scleral Lenses
Scleral lenses are custom-designed to match the unique shape of your eye. By resting on the white part of your eye instead of your cornea, they create a liquid cushion that continuously protects and hydrates the surface beneath.
Each lens is made specifically for your eye shape. This ensures maximum comfort and the clearest vision possible, as no two eyes are exactly alike.
The lens creates a dome of fluid over your cornea. This liquid barrier shields sensitive or damaged corneal tissue while keeping your eye constantly moist and comfortable throughout the day.
Because scleral lenses do not move around on your eye, you get consistent clear vision. This is especially helpful if you have significant astigmatism or other vision problems that cause fluctuating sight with regular contacts.
The fluid layer between the lens and your eye reduces friction and dryness. Many people who could not tolerate other types of contact lenses find scleral lenses much more comfortable, especially those who suffer from dry eyes.
The large, dome-like shape helps prevent dust, allergens, and other particles from reaching your cornea. This makes them ideal for people who work or play in dusty environments or suffer from severe allergies.
Corneal Irregularities
Many eye conditions cause the cornea to become irregular or uneven in shape. Scleral lenses vault over these problem areas to provide a smooth, clear optical surface where standard lenses would fail.
This condition causes the cornea to thin and bulge into a cone shape, distorting vision. Scleral lenses work well for people with keratoconus at any stage, from early to advanced cases where traditional lenses become uncomfortable or unstable.
Scars from injuries, infections, or past surgeries can make the cornea uneven. Scleral lenses smooth out these irregular surfaces to restore clear, comfortable vision and can even improve the cosmetic appearance of the eye.
This condition causes significant thinning at the bottom edge of the cornea, creating an irregular shape that is difficult to correct with glasses or traditional contacts. Scleral lenses provide a smooth optical surface over the affected area.
Similar to other thinning disorders, this condition affects the peripheral cornea. Scleral lenses can support and protect the thinning areas while providing stable vision.
Post-Surgical and Post-Traumatic Eyes
Eyes that have undergone surgery or experienced trauma often have altered shapes and increased sensitivity. Scleral lenses can accommodate these changes while protecting healing tissue and providing excellent vision.
In some cases, LASIK or other refractive surgeries can lead to corneal irregularities or ectasia, a condition where the cornea bulges forward. Scleral lenses can restore clear vision and comfort in these challenging cases.
After a corneal transplant, the eye often has an irregular shape and may be more sensitive. Scleral lenses protect the transplanted tissue while providing superior vision correction.
This older refractive surgery can sometimes cause vision to fluctuate throughout the day. Scleral lenses provide stable, consistent vision by creating a uniform optical surface.
Eyes that have been injured may have scarring, irregular surfaces, or ongoing sensitivity. Scleral lenses cushion sensitive tissue, maintain a moist environment, and help restore functional vision during the healing process.
Severe Dry Eye and Ocular Surface Disorders
When your eyes do not make enough tears or the tear quality is poor, traditional contacts can become very uncomfortable. Scleral lenses create their own moisture reservoir to keep your eyes comfortable all day.
This autoimmune condition attacks the tear glands, causing severe dryness. The fluid reservoir in scleral lenses compensates for your body's reduced tear production, providing constant moisture and relief.
This serious condition can damage the eye's surface and tear glands. Scleral lenses protect the compromised surface while maintaining necessary moisture for comfort and healing.
This complication from bone marrow transplants often affects the eyes, causing extreme dryness and scarring. Scleral lenses improve comfort and vision quality despite these challenges.
When corneal nerves are damaged, the eye may not blink normally or produce adequate tears. Scleral lenses provide protection and constant moisture to prevent further damage and promote healing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to common, practical questions about scleral lenses to help you understand if this option suits your needs. These questions address aspects like care, costs, risks, and comparisons not detailed elsewhere on this page.
Scleral lenses generally cost between $1,000 and $4,000 per pair, depending on the complexity of your eye condition. This price often includes the fitting process and follow-up visits. Many vision and medical insurance plans cover a portion of the cost if the lenses are deemed medically necessary for conditions like keratoconus or severe dry eye.
Proper care is essential for eye health. It involves several steps:
- Always wash your hands before handling your lenses.
- Fill the lens bowl with a preservative-free saline solution before insertion.
- After removal, clean the lenses daily with an approved cleaning solution.
- Store them overnight in a disinfecting case.
Never use tap water, as it can lead to serious eye infections. With proper maintenance, lenses typically last for 1 to 3 years.
While generally very safe, potential risks include eye infections from poor hygiene, temporary discomfort during the adaptation period, or corneal swelling if worn for too long. These risks are minimized with a proper fit from an experienced doctor and by following care instructions. You should report any redness, pain, or blurred vision to your doctor immediately.
Unlike soft lenses that sit directly on the cornea and can dry out, or rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses that can be uncomfortable on irregular corneas, scleral lenses vault completely over the cornea. This design creates a fluid layer that provides superior hydration, comfort, and stability, making them the ideal choice for conditions where other lenses fail.
The adaptation period typically takes one to two weeks. You may be aware of the lens initially, but this sensation usually fades as your eyes adjust. Most patients achieve comfortable, all-day wear within a month and experience significantly clearer and more stable vision than they had with other corrective options.
Yes, scleral lenses can be made in multifocal or bifocal designs. These advanced lenses provide clear vision at multiple distances, near, intermediate, and far, offering a seamless alternative to wearing reading glasses or bifocals for patients who also have presbyopia.
Taking the Next Step
If you recognize yourself in any of these descriptions, scleral lenses might be the vision solution you have been looking for. Schedule a consultation with a qualified eye care provider experienced in scleral lens fitting to determine if these specialized lenses could improve your vision and quality of life.