Sclerals vs. Standard Lenses
Standard contact lenses — be they soft, rigid gas permeable, or disposable — are the most popular choice for people with refractive errors who don’t want to wear glasses. But because standard lenses rest directly on the cornea, they aren’t a good fit for people with very dry eyes or irregularly shaped corneas.
Patients who have an irregular cornea find scleral lenses to be ideal. They have a larger diameter than standard lenses that allows them to vault over the cornea and rest on the sclera (the white part of the eye). Because they form a dome over the cornea, scleral lenses protect it from scratches and abrasions.
Scleral lenses also store saline solution between the back of the lens and the front of the cornea. As a result, the eye’s surface stays lubricated, maximizing comfort. Vision remains reliable, too.
Because scleral lenses are larger than standard lenses and custom-fitted to the eye, they are more stable and less likely to pop out. Scleral lenses correct astigmatism even in people with highly irregular corneal surfaces.
Sclerals are often prescribed for patients who suffer from dry eye or other complications following LASIK or other corneal surgeries.
Because scleral lenses are custom made and comfort is paramount, they might require several visits to get the fit just right. To learn if you have a corneal condition that requires scleral lenses, visit Eyeworks. We help patients from Ft. Worth, Southlake, River Oaks, Benbrook, and throughout Texas.
References:
- https://www.aao.org/eyenet/article/update-on-scleral-lenses
- https://www.allaboutvision.com/contacts/scleral-lenses.htm
- https://www.allaboutvision.com/contacts/torics.htm
