Scleral lenses were traditionally used to correct vision after eye surgery, but today, eye doctors utilize modern scleral lenses to treat many other eye conditions. Patients who previously could not wear contact lenses or struggled with wearing basic prescription eyeglasses can now experience comfortable, amazing vision through scleral lenses.
Who wears scleral lenses?
We’ve provided some of the most common reasons for patients to wear scleral lenses.
Post-LASIK Surgery or Post-Refractive Surgery & Scleral Lenses
For patients who experienced eye complications after LASIK surgery, penetrating keratoplasty, or even cataract surgery, eye doctors refer to a contact lens specialist to provide a solution that corrects vision & provides comfort. Scleral lenses are often the ideal choice for post eye surgery patients seeking a way to achieve clear vision without resorting to surgery again or possibly further harming their unstable cornea.
Ocular Surface Disease & Scleral Lenses
Patients may develop an ocular surface disease from a cornea infection, trauma or injury, or passed down genetically from their family history. Certain diseases can even affect the tear film, such as graft vs host diseases, persistent epithelial defect, and even cranial cerebral palsy (when patients can't blink), which require the assistance of a scleral lens. Ocular surface disease may leave the eye extremely dry, red, and irritated, yet scleral lenses are designed to allow for enough moisture to accumulate around the cornea. This results in comfortable vision in even severe cases of dry eye.
Dry Eye & Scleral Lenses
Scleral rest comfortably on conjunctival tissue by the sclera. This area is far less sensitive than the cornea, and the added space around the cornea helps protect the cornea and stay moist. While not a direct solution for unhealthy tear glands or Meibomian gland dysfunction, scleral lenses are a useful option for patients when medications and other dry eye treatments have failed.
High Refractive Error & Scleral Lenses
While less common, scleral lenses are also a viable option when people have a high refractive error. Myopia (nearsightedness), Hyperopia (farsightedness), or Astigmatism.
Here’s a brief list of eye conditions, where patients would benefit from scleral lenses:
- Keratoconus
- Post Corneal Transplant patients
- Corneal Ectasia
- Trauma to the cornea
- Corneal Dystrophy or Degenerations
- Post refractive surgery
- Post radial keratology or RK surgery patients
- Post LASIK patients
- Post Cataract Surgery