Scleral Lens Fitting

Introducing Scleral Contact Lenses: Beyond Traditional Contacts

At Eyecare Eyewear, we are dedicated to providing advanced vision solutions for all our patients. For those with unique or challenging eye conditions, traditional contact lenses or glasses may not offer the best comfort or clearest vision. That’s where scleral contact lenses come in.

What Are Scleral Lenses?

Unlike conventional contact lenses that rest directly on the sensitive cornea (the clear front surface of your eye), scleral lenses are larger. They vault entirely over the cornea and rest gently on the sclera – the less sensitive white part of your eye. This unique design creates a tiny, fluid-filled space between the lens and your cornea.

Why Choose Scleral Lenses?

• Exceptional Comfort: Because they don’t touch the cornea, scleral lenses are often remarkably comfortable, even for those sensitive to traditional lenses.
• Superior Vision Quality: By creating a smooth, new optical surface over an irregular cornea, scleral lenses can provide dramatically clearer and sharper vision, often beyond what glasses or regular contacts can achieve.
• Continuous Hydration: The fluid reservoir between the lens and your eye keeps the cornea constantly bathed in moisture, offering significant relief for severe dry eye syndrome.
• Enhanced Protection: They act as a protective barrier, shielding the cornea from environmental irritants like wind, dust, and dry air.

Who Can Benefit from Scleral Lenses?

Scleral lenses are a life-changing solution for many individuals, particularly those with:

• Keratoconus & Other Corneal Irregularities: Conditions where the cornea has an abnormal or cone-like shape, causing distorted vision.
• Severe Dry Eye Syndrome: Providing a constant soothing layer of moisture for chronic dryness, often unresponsive to other treatments.
• Post-Surgical Corneas: For eyes that have undergone corneal transplants, LASIK complications, or other eye surgeries, where the corneal surface may be irregular.
• High Astigmatism or Refractive Errors: When standard contacts or glasses cannot adequately correct significant vision problems.
• Ocular Surface Diseases: Conditions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome or Graft-vs-Host disease, which severely impact the eye’s surface.

The Scleral Lens Fitting Process

Fitting scleral lenses is a specialized and precise process that ensures optimal comfort and vision. It typically involves:

1. Comprehensive Eye Exam: A thorough assessment of your overall eye health and vision needs.
2. Advanced Measurements: Using state-of-the-art technology, we take highly detailed 3D measurements of your cornea and sclera to design a custom-fit lens unique to your eye.
3. Trial Fitting: You’ll try diagnostic lenses in-office to assess the fit, comfort, and initial vision improvement.
4. Custom Lens Order: Based on precise measurements and trial results, your custom scleral lenses are ordered.
5. Dispense and Training: Once your lenses arrive, we’ll ensure the final fit is perfect and provide thorough training on insertion, removal, and proper care.
6. Follow-Up Care: Regular appointments are scheduled to monitor your eye health and lens performance, making any necessary adjustments.

Caring for Your Scleral Lenses: Important Steps for Healthy Eyes

Proper care and maintenance are crucial for the longevity of your scleral lenses and your eye health. We will provide detailed instructions, but here are some key points:

• Wash Hands Thoroughly: Always wash and dry your hands with a lint-free towel before handling your lenses.
• Use Preservative-Free Saline: Scleral lenses are filled with a sterile, non-preserved saline solution before insertion to create the hydrating fluid reservoir. NEVER use tap water.
• Daily Cleaning: Lenses must be cleaned and disinfected daily using recommended solutions (often hydrogen peroxide-based systems) to remove deposits and prevent infections.
• Never Sleep in Lenses: Always remove your scleral lenses before sleeping.
• Replace Your Lens Case: Replace your lens case every 1-3 months to prevent bacterial buildup.
• Regular Check-ups: Continue to attend all recommended follow-up appointments with our team to ensure your lenses are fitting well and your eyes remain healthy.

We are here to guide you through every step of your scleral lens journey, from initial assessment to ongoing care.

Discover Your Best Vision & Comfort

If you experience challenging vision problems or chronic dry eye, scleral lenses might be the solution you’ve been searching for. Our team at Eyecare Eyewear Optometry is experienced in fitting these advanced lenses and is ready to assess if they are right for you.