Contact lenses have long been the choice of many patients who want to avoid the inconvenience of wearing glasses or the changes it makes to their appearance, but who can’t or don’t want to undergo laser vision correction surgery. Many people are surprised to learn that when it comes to choosing contact lenses, there are many different varieties to consider. Much of this decision-making process comes down to the shape and health of your eyes. 

Every patient is different, and this means that if you decide you would like to wear contact lenses, you will first need to attend an appointment to assess your eyes and determine which type of contacts will be most suited to your needs. Some patients will be recommended to wear scleral lenses.

 

What are Scleral Lenses?

Scleral lenses are a type of specialty contact lens. This means that they have specific design elements that were created to overcome some of the issues that patients with corneal abnormalities experience when wearing regular contacts. These design elements include:

• A range of sizes, all of which are larger than conventional contact lenses.

• Gas-permeable design that allows oxygen to reach the surface of the eyes.

• A shape that vaults over the surface of the cornea, leaving a space beneath it. The lenses themselves only make contact with the white part of the eye. 
  
   

Benefits of Scleral Lenses

The specific design elements of scleral lenses enable them to offer patients a range of benefits. These include:

Greater comfort

Scleral lenses are designed specifically based on the shape of the individual eye that they are being fitted to. This means that they are created with pinpoint precision and accuracy, ensuring greater comfort than conventional contact lenses.

Fluid reservoir

The vaulted design of scleral lenses creates a space between the back of the contact lenses and the front surface of the eye. This space acts as a constant reservoir of fluid, keeping the eye moist, hydrated, and comfortable. The fluid later also helps to compensate for any irregularities in the shape of the cornea, which in turn improves vision. 

Superior vision

Their large size helps to keep scleral lenses very secure and stable on the surface of the eyes. Not only does this help to make them particularly comfortable, but it also ensures that the patient’s vision is exceptionally clear and stable too. 

Suitability for a variety of eye problems

Scleral lenses are recommended for patients who have a variety of vision issues that means that regular contact lenses aren’t suitable. These include patients with, but not limited to:

• Dry eye syndrome. This is because the fluid reservoir helps to counteract the dryness and the gas-permeable design allows oxygen through and keeps the surface of the eyes comfortable. 

• Keratoconus. This condition is characterized by the progressive thinning and bulging of the cornea. The space underneath scleral lenses provides room to accommodate this bulging, while still providing sharp and clear vision. 

• Irregular-shaped cornea. This can be due to natural causes or complications following surgery. Scleral lenses provide a more comfortable and secure fit, as well as improved vision. 

Scleral lenses may also be recommended to patients following a corneal transplant as, following the surgery, the cornea can become irregular and astigmatic. Scleral lenses are the safest and most comfortable way to correct this. 

If you’d like more information on the benefits of scleral lenses, or to schedule your contact lens fitting appointment, please call our eye care team in Fort Stockton, TX or Pecos, TX.