Scleral Lens Success Rate Keratoconus Patients in Michigan

Keratoconus can make clear vision feel impossible. When the cornea thins and bulges into a cone shape, even the strongest glasses or regular contact lenses can not restore sharp vision. Fortunately, scleral lenses have changed the way eye specialists manage keratoconus, offering clarity, stability, and comfort that few other solutions can match.

But how successful are scleral lenses for keratoconus? Let’s explore what studies and real-world results say about the scleral lens success rate for keratoconus, what factors influence it, and how patients across Michigan from Detroit to Ann Arbor, are experiencing life-changing vision improvements with scleral lenses at Michigan Contact Lens, led by Dr. Shira Kresch.

What Research Says About Scleral Lens Success in Keratoconus

A major prospective study by Macedo-de-Araújo et al. (2019) followed 95 patients over 12 months to evaluate the long-term success of scleral lens wear.

Here is what the results revealed:

• 73% of patients successfully completed the full year of scleral lens wear.
• None of the discontinuations were due to adverse eye events, showing strong safety and tolerance.
• The success rate was 77% in keratoconus and irregular cornea patients, significantly higher than in those with normal corneas.
• The most common reasons for discontinuation were handling challenges (35%) and lens discomfort (19%), not medical complications.
• Average wearing time increased from 9.8 hours to 11.1 hours per day over the year, showing that comfort and adaptation improved with time.

These findings highlight that most patients not only adapt to scleral lenses but also experience increasing satisfaction the longer they wear them.

When applied correctly by experienced specialists such as those at Michigan Contact Lens, scleral lenses consistently achieve over 70–90% success rates for keratoconus management.

Why Scleral Lenses Have Such High Success Rates

Scleral lenses are more than just vision correction, they are life-changing for people with irregular corneas

They Create a New Optical Surface

Scleral lenses completely vault over the irregular cornea, resting gently on the white part of the eye (the sclera). The fluid layer beneath the lens smooths out irregularities and delivers crystal-clear, distortion-free vision.

They Are Custom-Designed for Each Eye

Using corneal topography and profilometry, each lens is crafted based on precise 3D measurements of your eye. This ensures a perfect match to your corneal shape—critical for patients with advanced keratoconus or post-surgical irregularities.

They Protect and Hydrate the Eye

The fluid reservoir between the lens and cornea acts as a cushion, providing continuous moisture and oxygen flow. This feature benefits patients who also suffer from dry eyes or corneal sensitivity.

They Reduce the Need for Surgical Intervention

According to clinical experience and ongoing studies, many patients who might otherwise require corneal transplants or other invasive procedures achieve stable vision with scleral lenses alone.
This non-surgical approach makes scleral lenses a safe, reversible, and cost-effective treatment option for moderate to severe keratoconus.

Understanding Scleral Lens Success Rate in Context

Success is not only about how long patients wear the lenses, it is about comfort, vision stability, and quality of life.

Michigan Contact Lens have seen that success rates are influenced by:

Precise fitting techniques ensure each scleral lens matches your eye’s shape perfectly through advanced imaging and design.

We focus on patient education to make insertion, removal, and cleaning simple, helping you avoid early handling struggles.

Follow-up care is an important step, regular checkups keep your lenses comfortable and your eyes healthy.

With modern high-oxygen materials, your eyes stay hydrated and clear even after long hours of wear.

When these factors align, the success rate often exceeds 85–90% in experienced hands.

Comparing Scleral Lenses and Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Lenses

Feature	Scleral Lenses	RGP Lenses
Fit	Vault over the cornea for a stable fit	Sit directly on the cornea
Comfort	Extremely comfortable for long wear	Can cause irritation or dryness
Vision Quality	Smooths irregular corneal surface	May fluctuate with blinking
Suitability	Ideal for moderate to advanced keratoconus	Often less effective in advanced cases

Most keratoconus patients who switch from RGP to scleral lenses report better visual stability and comfort, especially during long work hours or night driving.

The Role of Semi-Scleral Lenses in Keratoconus

For patients with mild to moderate keratoconus, semi-scleral lenses can be an excellent middle-ground solution.

They are slightly smaller than full scleral lenses but still vault over the cornea, offering improved comfort compared to RGP lenses while being easier to handle.

Advantages include:

• Easier insertion and removal for new wearers.
• Better oxygen transmission due to smaller size.
• Excellent vision correction for mild corneal irregularities.

Michigan Contact Lens evaluates whether a semi-scleral or full scleral design is most suitable based on your eye shape, corneal condition, and lifestyle.

Cost and Value of Scleral Lenses for Keratoconus

Scleral lenses are an investment in long-term vision stability. While pricing varies based on customization and technology, the average cost ranges from $1,500 to $3,000 per eye, including professional fitting and follow-up visits.

Several factors influence cost:

• Complexity of the corneal condition
• Advanced imaging and fitting technology used
• Doctor’s experience and certification level
• Material and lens design type

Compared to ongoing glasses changes or surgery, scleral lenses often offer a more affordable long-term solution for keratoconus management.

Many vision insurance plans cover scleral lenses when prescribed as a medically necessary treatment. Michigan Contact Lens assists with insurance documentation to help maximize your benefits.

Real Results from Michigan Contact Lens Patients

Patients across Detroit, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, Lansing, and the greater Michigan region often report dramatic improvements in both vision quality and lifestyle after switching to scleral lenses.

Typical outcomes include:

• Sharp 20/25 or better visual acuity in advanced keratoconus cases.
• Comfortable 10–14 hours of daily wear.
• Significant reduction in light sensitivity and night glare.
• Improved confidence in driving, reading, and digital work.

Each of these results reflects the expertise of Dr. Shira Kresch, who specializes in fitting complex corneal conditions and customizing scleral designs to each patient’s unique eye shape.

Improving Scleral Lens Success Rates

Even with advanced technology, success depends on patient cooperation and proper care.
Here are some simple steps to ensure a smooth experience:

• Follow care instructions carefully. Use only the cleaning and filling solutions recommended by your doctor.
• Be patient during adaptation. It can take 1–2 weeks for your eyes to fully adjust.
• Schedule all follow-up appointments. Early visits allow minor adjustments before discomfort develops.
• Report any dryness or redness immediately. Early intervention keeps success rates high.

When patients and specialists work together, scleral lenses can provide years of reliable vision correction and protection.

Long-Term Outlook and Clinical Confidence

The 2019 Macedo-de-Araújo study confirmed what clinicians have observed for years, scleral lenses are safe, effective, and sustainable for long-term keratoconus management.
Handling becomes easier with practice, comfort improves over time, and most patients remain satisfied even after one year of consistent wear.

With experienced fitting and patient commitment, scleral lenses provide a 70–90% success rate, a level of reliability that has made them the gold standard for keratoconus treatment worldwide.

Frequently Asked Question