Scleral Contact Lenses
Scleral lenses are a specially designed type of contact lens used to correct vision and/or restore the ocular surface, often when other treatments are not effective. Patients who cannot obtain good vision or comfort with glasses or conventional contact lenses can benefit from using scleral lenses. Though scleral lenses began as a specialty treatment, they have become an increasingly popular choice in recent years even for people who have normal corneas.
Each scleral contact lens is custom-made for the patient. The lenses need to be fitted to vault over the cornea to maintain a constant reservoir of fluid between the lens and cornea. This design ensures the eye remains hydrated during the entire time the lens is worn. In addition, the fluid layer helps compensate for any irregularities in the shape of the cornea, which improves vision.
At San Antonio Eyeworks, we specialize in fitting scleral lenses.. Our scleral lenses are highly permeable to oxygen and provide the comfort of a soft lens while achieving the higher optical quality of a rigid gas permeable lens. In most cases, patients report no sensation or awareness of the lens while wearing it. The all-day comfort of scleral lenses is one reason for their increased popularity.
The Design of Scleral Contact Lenses
In comparison with other contact lenses, scleral lenses have a larger diameter. The lenses sit on the white part of the eye (the sclera) and vault over the cornea. The larger design delivers the desired vision benefits without requiring the lens to sit on the cornea itself. Lenses that sit on the cornea are typically less comfortable than scleral lenses and are problematic for patients with corneal irritation or irregularly-shaped corneas.
Scleral contact lenses as they are designed today are considered the best option on the market for health benefits and increased comfort. These lenses eliminate blurred and distorted vision, promote healing of the ocular surface, and protect the cornea from the surrounding environment and eyelids.
San Antonio Eyeworks works closely with our patients to determine the optimal fit for scleral lenses. What makes our specialty practice different than others is we focus on taking care of patients with corneal irregularities. We know how hard it can be for this unique class of patients to find effective vision treatments. We are passionate about creating custom scleral lenses that have the potential to change one’s quality of and quality of life.
We are on a mission to continuously update our expertise in contact lens design. We want to be able to provide our patients with the latest lens technology and the best solution for their eyes. At this time, scleral lenses are the highest technology available for the patients we serve. We are proud to make these lenses a core focus of our practice.
Here are a few of the conditions that can be treated using scleral lenses:
Dry Eye Syndrome
Chemical and burn injuries
Keratoconus and ectasia
Corneal degenerations and dystrophies
Eyelid abnormalities
Radial Keratotomy (RK)
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
Graft vs Host Disease
Sjogren’s Syndrome
Corneal ectasia and other complications from LASIK
Post-corneal transplant
Scleral contact lens cost varies from patient to patient. Please contact our office today for more questions.
