Do You Need Scleral Contact Lenses?

Soft contacts have been around for decades, offering benefits for patients requiring vision correction. Technology advancements have led to new contact lens designs and materials that enhance comfort. 

New designs help cater to expanded prescription ranges and increased customization needs. Scleral lenses are ideal for patients who find soft lenses uncomfortable or unsuitable for their condition. Here is information to help you find out if you need scleral contact lenses. 
 

Scleral Contact Lenses

Unlike soft contact lenses that lie directly on the cornea, scleral lenses are large and rest on the sclera. This is the white part of the eye that is less sensitive than the cornea. The lenses are gas-permeable, allowing oxygen to reach the cornea. 

It makes them ideal for improved vision and eye health and can be worn for extended periods. Scleral contacts are suitable for patients who cannot wear regular lenses due to different conditions, including irregularly shaped corneas. 
 

Reasons for Getting Scleral Lenses 

Patients who wear scleral lenses find them more comfortable, resulting in less dryness. They can help boost healing in patients with ocular surface diseases and other defects. Maintaining a wet, smooth, and protected eye surface can promote long-term corneal health. 

Scleral lenses provide excellent vision due to minimal movement and the fact that they center well. They do not rely on rotational orientation to treat astigmatism. 
 

Candidates for Scleral Lenses

Various patients can benefit from scleral lenses. Ideal candidates are people with irregular corneal surfaces, including those with:
 

• Keratoconus

• Post-penetrating keratoplasty (post PKP)

• Pellucid marginal degeneration

• Corneal scarring

• Ocular surface disorders

• Complications from refractive surgery

• Healthy corneas but have high prescriptions

Benefits for Irregular Cornea Patients

Patients with irregular corneas can benefit from scleral lenses. They enjoy improved comfort and can wear the lenses longer. Additional benefits include:
 

• Excellent visual acuity due to customization and stability

• Extreme comfort because of proper fitting

• Improved performance as the lenses do not dislodge easily

• Help maintain corneal health as they vault over the cornea

• They can eliminate or delay the need for corneal surgery

How Scleral Contact Lenses Work
 

Scleral contact lenses help provide excellent vision, and they work by correcting the eye shape. They regulate the shape of the eye by creating a spherical or perfectly round surface. Conditions that affect the cornea can make it hard to get a perfect fitting for traditional soft lenses. 

Scleral lenses can fit perfectly on the eye surface, providing the best vision possible. They can be customized for specific sports, allowing players to see more accurately. The lenses can be tinted to reduce glare and help with light-sensitivity problems. 

Precise eye measurements are essential to ensure that scleral lenses fit perfectly. If you find it uncomfortable to wear regular contacts, talk to your eye doctor about specialty contact lenses. The right technology and equipment can help diagnose patients needing scleral lenses. 

For more on scleral contact lenses, visit Ocean Park Optometry at our ​​​​​​Santa Monica, California office. Call (310) 452-1039 to schedule an appointment today.