Who Can Benefit From Scleral Lenses?

Contact lenses are one of the most popular ways to correct vision errors. Unlike glasses, contacts are worn directly on the eye. They eliminate the inconvenience of wearing eyeglasses. There are different types of contact lenses, ensuring that patients get what they need for their specific vision requirements. 

If you are considering getting contacts, you need to realize that regular lenses are not for everyone. Some specialty lenses are for patients who cannot wear regular contacts and require scleral lenses.

Scleral Contact Lenses

Scleral lenses are specialty contacts that are designed for patients who, for some reason, cannot wear regular contacts. The lenses have a larger diameter than standard contacts, and they vault over the cornea. 

They do not make contact with the entire eye surface, only touching the sclera or white of the eye. The gap under the lens offers stability for patients who cannot wear standard lenses. There are different types of scleral lenses based on their size. 

Types of Scleral Lenses

There are several types of scleral lenses. The semi-scleral lenses are the smallest type, but they are still larger than regular contacts. They rest along the line where the sclera meets the cornea. 

Mini scleral lenses are larger than the semi, and they touch the eye surface at the anterior of the eye scleral. Full scleral lenses are the largest around the diameter, and they offer the greatest clearance as they vault over the entire cornea.

Why Get Scleral Lenses?

The contacts offer clearance between the lens and the cornea. This allows the lenses to accommodate different corneal abnormalities. The lenses are beneficial for patients who have conditions that prevent them from wearing regular, full-contact lenses. 

The lenses are made from gas-permeable material, making them ideal for some patients. Their unique design allows more oxygen to reach the eyes. They also help keep the eyes moist by trapping tears in the gap. The diameter makes them more stable, and the space allows for cornea bulges. 

Who Benefits From Scleral Lenses?

Patients who have eye conditions that make it difficult to wear regular contacts can benefit from scleral lenses. Those who benefit have issues such as irregular cornea, dry eyes, and ocular diseases. 

An irregular cornea may be steeper than normal. It may also have bulges, as is the case for people with keratoconus. People with dry eye syndrome find it difficult to wear regular contacts. Scleral lenses help increase lubrication by trapping tears. Increased oxygen flow also prevents drying. Ocular diseases are conditions that make it difficult to wear contacts. 

Cornea Transplant

Wearing scleral lenses can help prevent the need for corneal transplant surgery. This is good news when you consider the risks associated with surgery. If you have recently had a corneal transplant, you can wear the specialty scleral lenses to protect your eyes as they heal. Complete healing from the transplant can take months or even one year. Wearing the lenses during this time is ideal. 

If regular contacts are causing you some discomfort or if you find it difficult to wear them, talk to your eye doctor. Scleral lenses are large, making them easier to handle than regular contacts.

For more on the benefits of scleral lenses, visit Battle Born Eye Care at our office in Reno, Nevada. You can call (775) 360-6446 today to schedule an appointment.