Frequently Asked Questions About Scleral Lenses
Contact lenses are ocular prosthetic devices used by millions of people worldwide. Contact lenses can be worn to correct vision or for cosmetic or therapeutic reasons. When compared with spectacles, contact lenses typically provide better peripheral vision and do not collect moisture (from rain, snow, condensation, etc.) or perspiration.
Taking things one step further, Scleral Lenses provide superior comfort to conventional contact lenses as they rest on the Sclera. This area is less sensitive than the cornea when touched by the lens. In terms of comfort, visual clarity, and stability, Scleral Lenses are superior, a better option than conventional lenses. In cases of corneal irregularity or severe sensitivity, scleral lenses are often the only viable option.
DeSouza Optometry wants to educate you with the most accurate information about the optometry services we have available and Scleral lenses in particular. Here we’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions about Scleral lenses.
1. What are Scleral Lenses?
Scleral lenses are large gas-permeable specialty contact lenses that vault over the cornea and limbus while resting on the sclera. Unlike other contact lenses, there is no contact between the lens and the cornea. They provide a superior vision for patients while still maintaining comfort. On average, these lenses last about three years but could last up to five years with the proper care.
2. Who can use Scleral Lenses?
Scleral Lenses can be indicated for any regular or irregular cornea. Anyone trying to achieve great vision with contact lenses would benefit from Scleral Lenses, but here are the main indications for the use of Scleral Lenses:
- Keratoconus
- Pellucid marginal corneal degeneration
- Post-corneal-graft, post-Lasik, and post-radial keratotomy
- Patients with medium-high astigmatism who have undesirable vision inglasses and soft contacts.
- Patients that have failed with corneal GP contact lenses due to poorvisual acuity, lens intolerance, or poor comfort, mechanical trauma, ocularsurface disease, dry eye, Sjogren’s syndrome, and patients who requireocular surface rehabilitation.
3. My soft contact lenses get dry at the end of the day. Why would Scleral Lenses be better?
Due to their large size, Scleral Lenses protect the whole cornea from outside interference such as dust, wind, air conditioning, etc. In addition, the liquid reservoir created between the cornea and the lens ensures constant lubrication for the eye. Scleral Lenses are an excellent treatment option for patients who suffer from dry eye syndrome.
4. How is the Scleral Lens more comfortable if it is a larger lens?
The cornea (clear dome-shaped front layer of the eye) contains thousands of nerves, making it extremely sensitive. In contrast, the Sclera (white part of the eye) does not contain nerve endings. Since the lens only rests on the Sclera while hovering over the cornea, the lens feels a lot more comfortable than a soft, small gas-permeable contact lens.
5. Is it easy to insert and remove the lenses?
Even though the Scleral Lens is larger than a regular soft contact lens, it is still relatively easy to insert and remove. It just takes proper initial training and practice. We offer a full insertion and removal session to ensure you are comfortable with the procedure and the tools needed to perform it successfully.
If you have more questions about our eye care services, get in touch with us. We provide comprehensive eye exams, pediatric eye exams, contact lens exams, management of ocular disease, red or pink eye management and treatment, myopia control, foreign body removal, and eyelash removal or epilation and visual field testing.
To learn more about the services we offer, please click here. To get in touch with us, please click here or call us at (416) 494-3050.