Scleral Contact Lenses
If you’re interested in wearing contact lenses but have been told in the past that you aren’t a suitable candidate to wear standard contact lenses or have had trouble wearing them in the past, then scleral contact lenses may be a good option for you.
Standard contact lenses may not be the best option for everyone, including those with keratoconus, dry eye, or other conditions that make wearing contact lenses difficult. In cases like these, scleral contact lenses may be a suitable alternative.
What are Scleral Contact Lenses?
Scleral contact lenses are large-diameter rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses designed to vault over the entire front surface of the eye and rest on the sclera, otherwise known as the white part of the eye. Scleral lenses are usually more comfortable than regular RGP lenses because they are larger and rest on the sclera, which is less sensitive than the cornea.
Scleral contact lenses also offer sharper vision compared to standard contact lenses. Scleral lenses are very durable and easy to handle. They are more stable on the eye than standard contact lenses, which means they are less likely to slide out of place on the eye and feel more comfortable. They’re also constructed with materials that allow high amounts of oxygen to reach the cornea, making them more comfortable to wear.
Am I a Candidate for Scleral Contact Lenses?
Technically anyone who is interested in the sharpest possible vision with contact lenses is a candidate for scleral contact lenses!
But if you have one or more of the following conditions, then scleral contact lenses may be the most suitable option.
Dry eye disease
If you have chronic dry eye disease, then you may find wearing standard contact lenses to be very uncomfortable. Since scleral contact lenses vault over the front surface of the eye, there is a small space in which a reservoir for tears is created, providing a cushion of moisture for the front surface of the eye.
Astigmatism
If you have a moderate to severe case of astigmatism, standard contact lenses may not provide the clearest, sharpest vision for you. Scleral contact lenses are stable due to their size, and the liquid under the scleral lenses can compensate for the astigmatism.
Post-Surgical Complications
If you’ve experienced complications after eye surgery, standard contact lenses may not provide you with the vision correction you need. Since scleral contact lenses vault over the entire front surface of the eye, they will provide you with the sharp vision correction.
Keratoconus
Keratoconus is an eye disease that affects the structure of the cornea, the front surface of the eye. It causes the cornea to become thin and irregular (cone) shaped. The abnormal shape of the cornea prevents light from being focused correctly on the retina and causes distorted vision. Keratoconus typically develops during childhood or the teenage years and continues to progress until the mid-thirties or so.
During the early stages of keratoconus, eyeglasses are sufficient to provide vision correction. However, as the disease progresses, scleral contact lenses can provide sharper vision correction because they essentially replace the front surface of the eye and focus light correctly on the retina.
Athlete
If you’re someone who plays sports frequently and leads an active lifestyle, you might have experienced discomfort with regular contact lenses. They can easily get dislodged or slide around on your eyes. However, scleral contact lenses are a great alternative. They provide much better stability, making it less likely for them to come off or move around while you’re playing sports. This means you can enjoy sharp vision and focus on the game.
Interested in Scleral Contact Lenses? Book an Appointment for a Comprehensive Eye Exam with Ensight Eyecare today!