Am I a Candidate for Scleral Lenses?

Scleral lenses have, in recent years, become a preferred eye correction strategy. This is so because the special lenses treat various vision problems and ocular disorders. Scleral lenses are uniquely designed lenses. They lie on the white part of the eye (sclera) and arch over the cornea. They do not make any contact with the cornea. 

The arch they form over the cornea leaves a small chamber. The chamber between the lens and the cornea contains saline and tears. This structure does not need to fit the lens to the eye. Scleral lenses provide efficient vision correction and mask the effects of corneal distortion. Scleral lenses are ideal for you if you have:

Ocular Surface Disease

The management of ocular surface disease is another popular reason for recommending scleral lenses. The ocular surface disease often comes with Graft-versus-Host disease, Sjogren’s syndrome, or Stevens-Johnson syndrome. This can notably reduce the quality of your life and stop you from going about your daily obligations. 

Scleral lenses for these patients serve a twofold advantage. The curvature of the scleral lens conceals the irregularity of the eye. It also forms a liquid cushion that acts like a liquid bandage continually bathing the anterior ocular surface.

Irregular Cornea

In the case of corneal distortion, doctors frequently prescribe scleral lenses. Complications in surgery, trauma, or keratoconus can distort the cornea. Often, patients with corneal distortion receive treatment through GP lenses. 

They can conceal corneal irregularities on the surface of the eye. However, fitting GP lenses on the eye correctly is quite a challenge. Scleral lenses do not have this problem because they rest on the sclera. They do not encounter the misshapen cornea.

GP Burnout

GP lenses usually give good sharp vision to the wearers. However, some lens-related issues come with GP lenses. Wearers of these lenses often complain of them falling out. If you engage in rigorous physical activity, this is a problem. 

Dust and other debris can also make their way under the lens. Scleral lenses present a viable solution to these problems while providing the sharp vision associated with GP lenses. 

Dry Eye 

Scleral lenses may be a good fit if you suffer from dry eye and need refractive correction. Scleral lenses form a liquid cushion over the cornea. It provides constant lubrication for your dry ocular surface. This is not possible with other lenses, which can become uncomfortable.

Astigmatism

People with severe or moderate astigmatism have a history of poor vision with soft or GP lenses. Soft lenses are generally unstable, which can frustrate you a lot. GP lenses can offer a solution for these soft lens users.

However, GP lenses can be unstable when one has astigmatism with steep horizontal meridians. When you get scleral lenses, they can successfully conceal corneal astigmatism and give you a stable fit.

For more on scleral lenses, visit Ocean Park Optometry at our office in Santa Monica, California. You can also call (310) 452-1039 to book an appointment today.