Contact lenses are a very popular and great alternative to wearing glasses. They give patients greater freedom and convenience, both with their appearance and their lifestyle. While most people can wear contact lenses, not everyone is suited for conventional contacts. If you have certain eye conditions, you may instead be recommended to consider specialty contact lenses, such as scleral lenses.

Here’s what you need to know about scleral lenses, including whether or not you may be a suitable candidate for this effective alternative to glasses.

 

What Are Scleral Contact Lenses?

Scleral contact lenses are one of several different types of contact lenses and are usually suggested as an option for patients with specific issues with their eyes that make ordinary contacts unsuitable. This is because their design is considerably different than standard contacts.

Unlike regular contacts, scleral lenses are large-diameter lenses that are created gas permeable material. Being gas permeable enables oxygen to pass through the lens itself and reach the surface of the eyes. Scleral lenses also have a more significant curve to them which allows them to vault over the surface of the cornea, rather than maintaining contact with it. This creates a small space that acts as a fluid reservoir, trapping tear film on the surface of the cornea. The space can also accommodate corneal abnormalities that would otherwise make regular contact lenses unsuitable.

Scleral lenses are available in a number of different sizes. The smallest is still larger than conventional lenses, at around 14.5mm diameter (compared to 9/9.5mm of standard lenses). The largest scleral lenses can reach 24mm in diameter. The larger size of scleral lenses helps to keep them secure and stable on the surface of the eyes.

 

Am I A Candidate For Scleral Lenses?

Before you can get started with scleral lenses, you first need to have your suitability assessed by your eye doctor. In addition to checking your contact lens prescription, they will also look at various aspects of the health and condition of your eyes to determine the most effective contact lenses for you.
 

Generally, patients who have or have had any of the following may be considered candidates for scleral contact lenses:

• Chemical burn injuries, as these can leave scarring on the cornea that makes conventional contact lenses difficult or uncomfortable to wear
  
   

• Corneal degeneration, since scleral contact lenses can help to even out the corneal irregularities this condition causes
  
   

• Keratoconus, which is a condition characterized by the thinning and bulging of the cornea and that can make regular contact lenses impossible to wear
  
   

• Dry eyes can make normal contacts very uncomfortable, but since scleral lenses have a space between the surface of the cornea and the back of the lens where tear film can accumulate, this makes them a viable alternative for people with the condition
  
   

• Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, which is a condition that damages skin tissue and mucous membranes and can make conventional contacts unsuitable
  
   

• High levels of astigmatism. Again, scleral lenses are particularly effective at evening out the corneal irregularities that can characterize astigmatism
  
   

• Complications that have occurred as a result of LASIK laser vision correction
  
   

• Sjogren’s syndrome, an immune disorder that affects the eyes and makes normal contact lenses unsuitable
  
   

• Corneal ectasia, which is a condition characterized by the thinning of the corneal tissue and makes ordinary contact lenses impractical

If you would like to learn more about scleral lenses or to schedule an appointment for our experienced team to assess your candidacy for them, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with True Vision Optometry in Montebello, California by calling (323) 403-4116 today.