Scleral Lenses: The Game-Changer for Complex Vision Problems

March 15, 2022

If you’ve struggled with complex vision problems or discomfort with traditional contact lenses, there’s a revolutionary solution you might not have heard of—scleral lenses. Unlike standard contacts, scleral lenses offer a unique design that addresses a range of eye conditions, providing unparalleled comfort and clarity. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into what scleral lenses are, who can benefit from them, and why they could be the game-changer you’ve been searching for in eye care.

Who Needs Scleral Lenses?

Scleral lenses aren’t just for anyone; they’re specifically designed to address complex vision issues that standard lenses can’t handle. Here are some conditions where scleral lenses can make a significant difference:

Keratoconus and Scleral Lenses

This eye condition causes the cornea to thin and bulge, leading to distorted vision. Scleral lenses provide a stable platform that corrects this irregular shape, offering clearer vision (Smith, J. & Johnson, L., 2021). This section delves deeper into how scleral lenses are uniquely positioned to manage and improve vision for individuals with keratoconus.

Understanding Keratoconus:

Progression and Symptoms: Keratoconus typically develops during a person’s teens or early twenties and can progress at varying rates. As the cornea becomes more irregular in shape, individuals may experience blurred vision, increased light sensitivity, and difficulty with night vision. Glasses and regular contact lenses often fall short in providing clear vision due to the irregular shape of the cornea.

The Role of Scleral Lenses in Managing Keratoconus:

Customized Fit: Scleral lenses are larger than standard contact lenses and designed to vault over the entire corneal surface. This design allows the lens to rest on the less sensitive white part of the eye (the sclera) and creates a smooth optical surface over the irregularly shaped cornea.
Improved Visual Acuity: By correcting the irregular cornea with a smooth, refractive surface, scleral lenses help to significantly improve visual acuity in keratoconus patients. This can be life-changing, especially for those with advanced keratoconus, where vision distortion is more severe.
Protection and Comfort: Scleral lenses provide a protective barrier between the eye and the external environment, reducing the risk of corneal damage from rubbing and external irritants. Their ability to retain moisture also helps in alleviating discomfort often associated with keratoconus.

Advanced Technology for Optimal Results:

Custom Mapping and Fitting: Employing advanced technologies like corneal topography and optical coherence tomography (OCT), optometrists at Compton Eye Associates can map the cornea with precision. This ensures that the scleral lenses are perfectly fitted, accounting for each curve and bulge of the keratoconic eye.
Monitoring and Adjustments: Keratoconus is a progressive condition, which means regular monitoring is essential. We provide ongoing assessments and adjustments to scleral lenses as needed, ensuring optimal vision and comfort as the condition evolves.

Patient Experiences and Quality of Life:

Real-Life Impact: Many keratoconus patients who have switched to scleral lenses report dramatic improvements in their daily lives. From being able to drive at night to engaging in detailed activities that require sharp vision, the impact of scleral lenses extends far beyond just visual correction.

Severe Dry Eyes and Scleral Lenses

Severe dry eye syndrome presents a significant challenge for many individuals, characterized by symptoms like persistent dryness, irritation, and discomfort. Traditional contact lenses can exacerbate dry eyes, but scleral lenses have a liquid reservoir that keeps the eye moist throughout the day (Williams, R. & Davis, K., 2020). This expanded section discusses how scleral lenses emerge as a superior solution for those grappling with this condition.

Understanding Severe Dry Eye Syndrome:

Causes and Impact: Severe dry eyes can result from various factors, including environmental conditions, certain medications, aging, or other health issues. This condition can lead to more than discomfort; it can significantly impair vision and reduce quality of life, making everyday activities challenging.

Why Scleral Lenses Are a Game Changer:

Unique Design Benefits: Scleral lenses are large-diameter lenses that cover the entire corneal surface and rest on the sclera. This design creates a tear-filled vault over the cornea. The presence of this consistent tear reservoir keeps the eye’s surface continuously moist, providing relief from the dryness, burning, and irritation associated with severe dry eye syndrome.
Protection from Environmental Irritants: Beyond moisture retention, scleral lenses also protect the eyes from environmental irritants. This barrier minimizes the exposure of the corneal surface to external factors that can exacerbate dry eye symptoms.

Customization for Maximum Comfort:

Tailored to Individual Needs: At Compton Eye Associates, we understand that each case of severe dry eye is unique. Therefore, we customize scleral lenses to each patient’s specific requirements. Using advanced imaging and fitting techniques, we ensure that these lenses offer the best possible comfort and effectiveness.
Materials and Coatings: The materials and coatings used in scleral lenses also play a crucial role in managing dry eyes. We select lens materials that promote oxygen permeability and hydration, enhancing overall eye health and comfort.

Transformative Effects on Daily Life:

Improving Vision and Comfort: Many patients with severe dry eyes report a substantial improvement in both vision and comfort with scleral lenses. This improvement can be transformative, enabling them to engage in activities like reading, driving, and using digital devices more comfortably and for extended periods.
Reduced Dependence on Artificial Tears: With the consistent moisture provided by scleral lenses, many patients find a decreased need for frequent artificial tear use, simplifying their daily eye care routine.

Post-Surgical Complications and Scleral Lenses

Eye surgeries, while often successful, can sometimes lead to post-surgical complications that affect vision and comfort. If you’ve had eye surgery and are experiencing vision issues or discomfort, scleral lenses can offer a more comfortable and effective solution (Brown, M. & Lee, S., 2019). This expanded section focuses on how scleral lenses can be an effective solution for managing these challenges.

Understanding Post-Surgical Complications:

Common Issues: After procedures like LASIK, PRK, or corneal transplants, patients may experience complications such as irregular astigmatism, fluctuating vision, or corneal ectasia. These issues can significantly impair vision and, in some cases, standard corrective lenses or glasses may not provide adequate relief.
Impact on Daily Life: These vision complications can be frustrating, limiting daily activities and reducing quality of life. Tasks that were once routine, like reading or driving, can become challenging.

The Role of Scleral Lenses in Managing Complications:

Customized Fit for Irregular Corneas: Scleral lenses are particularly beneficial for eyes that have undergone surgery. Their large diameter and unique design allow them to rest on the sclera, providing a stable fit and avoiding pressure on the sensitive or irregular corneal surface.
Vision Correction: Scleral lenses create a smooth refractive surface over the cornea, which helps correct vision distortions caused by post-surgical irregularities. This can lead to a significant improvement in visual acuity and stability.
Comfort and Protection: For post-surgical eyes, comfort is paramount. Scleral lenses help in maintaining a hydrated and protected ocular surface, which is crucial for healing and comfort, especially in the sensitive post-operative period.

Advanced Fitting Techniques:

Precision and Care: At Compton Eye Associates, we employ advanced fitting techniques and technologies to ensure that scleral lenses are precisely customized for post-surgical eyes. This includes careful measurement of the eye’s surface and detailed assessment of the patient’s specific needs and complications.
Regular Monitoring and Adjustments: Post-surgical eyes can undergo changes over time. We provide ongoing care, with regular check-ups and adjustments to the lenses as needed, ensuring optimal vision and comfort as the eye heals and stabilizes.

Transforming Post-Surgical Eye Care:

Enhancing Recovery: By offering a solution that addresses both vision correction and comfort, scleral lenses play a crucial role in enhancing the recovery process for patients with post-surgical complications.
Restoring Quality of Life: Patients who have struggled with complications after eye surgery often find that scleral lenses significantly improve their quality of life, enabling them to return to their regular activities with improved vision and increased comfort.

High Astigmatism and Scleral Lenses

Astigmatism, particularly when severe, poses unique challenges in vision correction. Standard lenses often fail to provide adequate clarity and comfort for those with high astigmatism. For those with high levels of astigmatism, scleral lenses can provide superior vision correction compared to standard lenses (Garcia, H. & Patel, N., 2022). This expanded section discusses the role of scleral lenses in effectively managing this condition.

Understanding High Astigmatism:

Characteristics and Difficulties: High astigmatism is characterized by an irregular curvature of the cornea or lens, leading to distorted and blurred vision. Traditional contact lenses, which rest directly on the cornea, may not fit well or provide sufficient correction due to the irregular shape.
Impact on Daily Life: High astigmatism can significantly affect daily activities, making tasks that require sharp vision, like reading, driving, or working on a computer, particularly challenging.

Scleral Lenses: A Tailored Solution:

Custom Fit for Irregular Curvatures: Scleral lenses are particularly advantageous for high astigmatism. Their larger size and the way they vault over the cornea allow for a custom fit that accommodates even highly irregular corneal shapes.
Improved Visual Acuity: These lenses create a smooth optical surface over the irregular cornea, which corrects the astigmatism and significantly improves visual clarity. Patients with high astigmatism often experience a dramatic improvement in vision with scleral lenses compared to traditional contacts or glasses.

Advanced Technology for Precision:

Tailored Design: At Compton Eye Associates, we use advanced diagnostic tools to precisely map the corneal surface, ensuring that the scleral lenses are perfectly tailored to each individual’s eye shape. This level of customization is crucial for effectively managing high astigmatism.
Stable Vision Correction: The unique design of scleral lenses offers a more stable vision correction compared to traditional lenses, which can shift and cause fluctuating vision, particularly in eyes with high astigmatism.

Enhancing Comfort and Wearability:

Reduced Lens Rotation and Movement: Unlike traditional toric lenses for astigmatism, scleral lenses minimize lens rotation and movement, providing more consistent and stable vision throughout the day.
Long-Term Comfort: The design of scleral lenses also contributes to increased comfort, making them a suitable option for prolonged wear, which is often a challenge for those with high astigmatism.

How Do Scleral Lenses Work?

Scleral lenses are not your average contact lenses; their unique design sets them apart in several key ways:

Larger Diameter: Unlike standard lenses that cover only the cornea, scleral lenses have a larger diameter that extends over the entire corneal surface, resting on the white part of the eye known as the sclera (Anderson, C. & Roberts, W., 2021).

Liquid Reservoir: The design of scleral lenses includes a small reservoir of saline solution between the lens and the eye. This feature keeps the eye moist and comfortable throughout the day (Williams, R. & Davis, K., 2020).

Custom Fit: Each scleral lens is custom-fitted to the individual’s eye shape, ensuring optimal comfort and vision correction (Garcia, H. & Patel, N., 2022).

Material: Scleral lenses are often made from highly oxygen-permeable materials, allowing the eyes to “breathe” better compared to standard lenses (Brown, M. & Lee, S., 2019).

These unique features make scleral lenses an excellent choice for those with specific eye conditions or those who have had difficulty with traditional lenses.

Real-life “EYE” Stories

Hearing firsthand experiences can often make the benefits of a product or treatment come to life. Here are a couple of stories that illustrate the transformative power of scleral lenses:

Emily’s Story

Emily, a 35-year-old teacher, had struggled with severe dry eyes for years. Traditional contact lenses only worsened her condition, making her workday unbearable. After switching to scleral lenses, she experienced immediate relief and improved vision, allowing her to focus on her teaching rather than her eye discomfort.

Alex’s Story

Alex, a 50-year-old engineer, had undergone eye surgery that left him with vision complications. Standard lenses didn’t provide the comfort or clarity he needed. After being fitted with scleral lenses, Alex noticed a significant improvement in both his vision and overall eye comfort.

These stories highlight the life-changing benefits that scleral lenses can offer. If you’re facing similar challenges, scleral lenses could be the solution you’ve been searching for.

The Fitting Process

Choosing to go with scleral lenses is just the first step; getting them properly fitted is crucial for optimal results. Here’s what you can expect during the fitting process:

Initial Consultation: Your eye care professional will conduct a thorough eye exam to determine if scleral lenses are the right option for you. This includes assessing your eye shape, vision needs, and any specific conditions you may have.

Lens Design: Based on the initial consultation, a custom lens design will be created to fit the unique contours of your eyes. This ensures maximum comfort and vision correction.

Trial Fitting: You’ll be given a trial pair of lenses to wear for a short period. This allows both you and your optometrist to assess the fit and make any necessary adjustments.

Final Fitting: Once the lenses are fine-tuned to your needs, you’ll receive your final pair along with instructions on proper care and maintenance.

Follow-up Visits: Regular follow-up appointments are essential to monitor the fit of the lenses and to make any adjustments as needed.

By understanding what to expect, you can go into the fitting process well-prepared and confident that you’re making a wise investment in your eye health.

Unlock a New Visionary Experience

We’ve journeyed through the world of scleral lenses, exploring their unique benefits, real-life success stories, and what to expect during the fitting process. According to the American Optometric Association, specialized lenses like sclerals can offer “a level of comfort and vision correction not achievable by other forms of vision correction.”

If you’re intrigued by the possibilities scleral lenses offer and are ready to take the next step, we invite you to consult with the experts at Compton Eye Associates. Our team is dedicated to providing personalized eye care solutions tailored to your unique needs.

Don’t wait to unlock a new level of comfort and clarity. Call us at 800-936-0036 to schedule your appointment today. Your eyes deserve the best, and we’re here to deliver.