Are Contact Lenses Not Working for You? Consider Scleral Lenses
If you’d love to wear contact lenses but stick with eyeglasses because you find it too difficult to wear regular contacts, there are alternatives. Even people with dry eye syndrome, a corneal transplant, keratoconus or who simply find conventional contacts uncomfortable may want to try scleral contact lenses, which are larger than standard lenses and vault over the entire surface of the cornea.
The first step is to schedule an eye exam to check your eye health and vision, and to determine which kind of contacts are right for you.
Eye Problems That Can Make Contact Lens Wearing Difficult
If your cornea is an irregular size or shape, standard contact lenses may not fit you properly or may move when you blink.
Standard contacts can also cause or exacerbate dry eye symptoms, including red, irritated, itchy or dry eyes.
Eye conditions that can complicate contact lens wearing include:
- Keratoconus
- Dry eye syndrome
- Astigmatism
- Corneal transplant
- Post-refractive surgery (i.e. LASIK)
Scleral Lenses—A Comfortable Alternative
For keratoconus and other corneal irregularities, dry eyes and post-refractive surgery, scleral lenses can provide a secure and comfortable fit. Scleral lenses are larger than traditional contact lenses and vault over the entire corneal surface, resting on the sclera, the white part of the eye. This vaulted design makes scleral lenses especially comfortable and easy to wear.
Scleral lenses are gas permeable and allow oxygen to circulate through the lens. There is also significant space between the cornea and the back section of the scleral lens, which acts as a fluid reservoir to relieve dry, sensitive eyes.
Scleral Lenses are Larger
Scleral lenses measure between 14.5mm to 24mm in diameter. The average size of the cornea is 11.8 mm, so the smallest sclerals cover the cornea with extra room to spare. This allows the scleral lens to form a dome over the cornea, creating a cushion of tears between the lens and the eye. The average size of regular contact lenses is 9mm, which is smaller than the cornea.
Larger sclerals, sometimes called corneo-sclerals, are usually needed post-LASIK surgery, advanced stages of keratoconus and severe dry eye syndrome, because larger lenses can hold more fluid and can accommodate more serious irregularities in the cornea.
Smaller scleral lenses are preferable for the early stages of keratoconus or mild astigmatism.
Getting Fitted for Scleral Lenses
Theoretically, anyone can wear scleral contact lenses, but most eye doctors will suggest sclerals rather than regular contact lenses only if there are corneal irregularities or other eye problems.
Since the lenses are customized, the fitting must be precise. This is why you need the expertise of an optometrist with the training and expertise to provide scleral lenses.
Schedule an appointment with Scleral Doctor Name and talk to us about getting fitted with scleral lenses.
Our practice serves patients from CITY 1, CITY 2, CITY 3, and CITY 4, and surrounding communities.References