Scleral Contact Lenses

People with keratoconus, corneal scarring, or irregular corneas often find great success with scleral lenses. These conditions make the cornea an uneven shape that regular contacts cannot fit properly. By vaulting over the irregular areas, scleral lenses create a smooth optical surface that can restore clear vision and may delay or prevent the need for corneal transplant surgery in some cases.

Patients with severe dry eyes often cannot wear regular contacts because they make symptoms worse. Scleral lenses actually help dry eyes by keeping a reservoir of moisture against your cornea all day. The constant fluid bath under the lens promotes healing and reduces pain, light sensitivity, and irritation significantly.

Patients who have had corneal transplants, LASIK complications, or other eye surgeries sometimes develop irregular corneas. After corneal surgery or trauma, a scleral lens can neutralize irregular vision problems and shield sensitive tissue while the eye recovers or adapts.

If you have very strong prescriptions or high amounts of astigmatism that glasses or regular contacts cannot correct well, scleral lenses might help you. They can provide excellent vision correction for complex prescriptions, though not every patient with high prescriptions will be an ideal candidate.

In severe conditions like limbal stem cell deficiency, exposure problems, or nerve damage to the eye, the constant fluid under a scleral lens can act as a barrier against lid friction and dryness, improving quality of life for patients who have failed other treatments.

Learning to put in scleral lenses takes practice, but most patients master the technique quickly. We will show you how to wash your hands properly, fill the lens with preservative-free sterile saline solution, and place it gently on your eye while keeping your face level to avoid air bubbles.

Taking out scleral lenses requires a special small suction cup tool that we provide. We will teach you the proper technique to break the suction at the edge and lift the lens away safely without damaging them or hurting your eyes.

Most patients can wear scleral lenses for 12 to 16 hours per day comfortably. Most people wear them during the day and remove them nightly for cleaning, which lowers infection risks. We will help you develop a wearing schedule that works with your lifestyle and daily activities.

You should take out your lenses if your eyes become red, painful, or irritated. Always remove them before sleeping, swimming, or showering. If vision becomes hazy during the day from debris in the lens, you can remove, clean, refill with fresh saline, and reinsert.

Strict hand washing, daily cleaning and disinfection, and nightly removal are essential to reduce infection risk. While scleral lens infections are rare with proper care, poor hygiene can lead to serious eye infections. Close follow-up and meticulous care are important for safety.

Remove lenses and contact our office immediately for pain, light sensitivity, increased redness, discharge, or sudden vision changes, as these may signal inflammation or infection. Do not resume wear until cleared by our eye doctors after evaluation and treatment if needed.

With modern materials and careful fitting, oxygen problems are uncommon during daily wear in healthy eyes. Our designs aim to minimize thickness and allow proper tear flow to keep your corneas healthy and comfortable.

Sleeping in scleral lenses increases infection and swelling risks and should never be done unless specifically prescribed by our doctors for special medical reasons with close monitoring. Daily removal for cleaning is the safest routine for all patients.

Many users find them very comfortable because they rest on the less sensitive white part of the eye and keep the cornea bathed in fluid. While there may be a short adjustment period, many patients find them more comfortable than regular contacts once adapted. However, comfort varies by individual and depends on proper fit.

With proper care, scleral lenses typically last six months to two years before needing replacement. Some patients may need replacement sooner depending on their individual eye chemistry, care habits, and normal wear and tear. Our eye doctors will monitor your lenses and let you know when it is time for new ones.

Yes, the fluid reservoir protects and hydrates the cornea throughout the day, reducing pain and light sensitivity in many severe dry eye cases. They are often very helpful after other dry eye treatments have not provided enough relief.

No, you should never sleep in scleral lenses or any contact lenses unless specifically prescribed by our doctors for special medical reasons. Sleeping in lenses greatly increases your risk of serious eye infections and swelling that can threaten your vision.

Use only the cleaning and storage solutions recommended by our eye doctors, and only sterile, preservative-free saline to fill the lens bowl for insertion. Never use tap water, homemade saline, or unregulated products as these can cause serious eye infections.

Many insurance plans cover scleral lenses when they are medically necessary for conditions like keratoconus, severe dry eyes, or post-surgical vision problems. Our staff will help you check your specific benefits and submit claims for coverage. We also offer payment plans to make treatment affordable.

Children as young as eight years old can successfully wear scleral lenses with proper supervision and training, depending on their maturity and manual dexterity. Children with keratoconus or other corneal conditions often do very well with these lenses. Parents need to help with care and insertion until children master the techniques safely.

If your lens cracks, breaks, or becomes damaged, stop wearing it immediately and contact our office. We keep backup lenses in stock for most patients and can often provide a replacement the same day. Never try to repair a damaged lens yourself.

If vision becomes hazy from debris in the lens reservoir, you can remove the lens, clean the front surface if needed, refill with fresh sterile saline, and reinsert to restore clarity. If fogging happens frequently, discuss fit adjustments with our doctors.

They can be very helpful for vision rehabilitation and protection after corneal surgery, but fitting must focus on proper oxygen flow and tear exchange, especially if the inner layer of the cornea is compromised. Close monitoring and careful design choices help ensure safety.

Scleral lenses vault completely over the cornea and land on the white part of the eye with a fluid reservoir underneath, while regular hard contacts rest directly on the cornea and move with each blink. The scleral design often provides more stable vision and comfort for irregular corneas.

During fitting, we try different trial lenses to find the best size and shape for your eyes. We use special equipment to check that the lens clears your cornea properly and lands correctly on the white part of your eye. The process may take several visits to achieve the perfect fit.

Yes, you can wear makeup with scleral lenses. Put your lenses in before applying makeup and remove them before taking makeup off. Use oil-free makeup remover and avoid getting makeup on your lenses or in your eyes.

Avoid swimming, showering, or any water activities while wearing your lenses. Remove them before sleeping or napping. Most other activities including sports are fine, but discuss specific concerns with your eye doctor.

Initially, you will need more frequent visits to ensure proper fit and comfort. Once stable, most patients need check-ups every six months to monitor lens condition, eye health, and vision. Some patients may need more frequent visits based on their individual needs.

If you feel debris or irritation under your lens, remove it immediately. Clean the lens if needed, rinse with fresh preservative-free saline, and reinsert. If irritation continues, contact our office before wearing the lens again.