Michigan's Contact Lens Specialists
The Benefits of Scleral Lenses
What Are Scleral Lenses and Their Benefits?
Scleral lenses are specialty contact lenses designed to provide clear vision, comfort, and protection for patients with keratoconus, dry eye, astigmatism, and irregular corneas. One of the main benefits of scleral lenses is their ability to create stable vision while keeping the surface of the eye hydrated and protected. Because these lenses are custom fitted, many patients experience better comfort and sharper vision compared to regular contact lenses.
Scleral lenses are often recommended when standard contacts cannot provide good vision or cause discomfort. Patients with corneal disease, scarring, or severe dryness may benefit from scleral lenses because the lens rests on the white part of the eye and creates a smooth optical surface. This allows the eye to heal while improving vision at the same time.
Many patients searching for the benefits of scleral lenses want to know if these lenses can help with keratoconus, dry eye, or blurred vision. In many cases, scleral lenses provide clearer vision, better comfort, and long term eye protection when properly fitted by a scleral lens specialist.
Michigan Contact Lens Fits Scleral Lenses
A Specialist is Key to Unlocking the Benefits of Scleral Lenses
At Michigan Contact Lens, we understand that achieving the full benefits of scleral lenses requires more than just a standard contact lens exam. That’s why we specialize in fitting these advanced contact lenses, helping you decide if they are the perfect solution for your specific needs.
What truly sets our specialty practice apart is our dedicated focus on this unique class of patients. We have a deep understanding of the challenges associated with conditions like severe dry eye and keratoconus. This expertise is crucial for a successful fitting, which is the key to unlocking the life-changing visual clarity and comfort that properly fitted scleral lenses provide.
Who Can Benefit from Scleral Lenses?
The unique design of scleral lenses allows them to provide incredible benefits for individuals with a wide range of complex and hard-to-fit eye conditions. For many, they are the only solution that offers both functional vision and all-day comfort. Below are the primary conditions that see the most significant improvements.
For Irregular Corneas & Post-Surgical Vision
One of the main benefits of scleral lenses is their ability to create a perfectly smooth optical surface over a damaged or irregular cornea.
- Keratoconus: These lenses vault over the cone-shaped cornea, neutralizing the distortion to provide clear, stable vision where glasses and soft contacts fail. This is a primary use case for scleral lenses for keratoconus.
- Corneal Scarring: A scleral lens can mask surface irregularities caused by scars, dramatically improving visual acuity.
- Post-Surgical Patients: After procedures like corneal transplants or RK, scleral lenses provide a stable, comfortable fit on a sensitive or irregularly healed eye.
- Ectasia: For corneal thinning and bulging that can occur after refractive surgery, scleral lenses provide a safe and effective way to restore vision.
- Irregular Cornea Shape: For any irregularly shaped cornea where traditional lenses won’t center properly, the large diameter of a scleral lens ensures a secure fit.
For Severe Dry Eye & Ocular Surface Disease
The constant hydration from the fluid reservoir makes these the most effective scleral lenses for dry eyes and related autoimmune conditions.
- Dry Eye Syndrome: The lens bathes the cornea in a preservative-free saline solution all day, acting as a “liquid bandage” to provide profound relief from dryness, pain, and irritation.
- Sjögren’s Syndrome: For patients with autoimmune-related dryness, the constant hydration from scleral lenses protects the eye’s surface and improves comfort.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: Scleral lenses can help manage the severe ocular dryness and inflammation associated with this condition.
- Stevens-Johnson Syndrome & Ocular Cicatricial Pemphigoid: These lenses protect the compromised surface of the eye from friction and exposure, promoting healing and providing comfort.
For Other Complex Vision & Eye Health Needs
- Extremely High Prescriptions: Scleral lenses can be manufactured with a wide range of powers, providing a stable option for patients with prescriptions outside the range of soft lenses.
- Aniridia: Custom-tinted scleral lenses can be designed to reduce light sensitivity for patients with a partial or missing iris.
- Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency: The scleral lens provides a protective environment that can support the healing of the corneal surface.
Benefits of Scleral Contact Lenses
The Core Benefits of Scleral Lenses Explained
For individuals struggling with complex eye conditions, the benefits of scleral lenses can be truly life-changing. They provide a comprehensive solution that improves not just vision, but overall quality of life. Here’s a detailed look at what makes them so effective.
- High-Definition Vision for Complex Eyes: A primary benefit is the ability to provide exceptionally crisp, high-definition vision. For people with corneal irregularities from keratoconus, the lens creates a perfectly smooth optical surface over the distortion, correcting aberrations that glasses simply cannot.
- Exceptional All-Day Comfort: By vaulting over the highly sensitive cornea and resting on the less sensitive sclera, these lenses avoid direct irritation. The space underneath holds a reservoir of saline, acting as a “liquid bandage” of constant hydration. This makes them one of the best options for scleral lenses for dry eyes, offering soothing relief all day long.
- Durability and Long-Term Eye Health: Made from a durable, highly breathable gas-permeable material, scleral lenses are designed to last for one to three years with proper care. This advanced material allows a healthy flow of oxygen to the eye, which is crucial for maintaining long-term corneal health.
- A Stable and Protective Fit: Because of their large size and custom design, scleral lenses are incredibly stable and are far less likely to dislodge during daily activities or sports. This stability also creates a protective shield over the cornea, blocking dust, wind, and other environmental irritants.
For Existing Patients with Scleral Lenses
Maintaining the Benefits of Your Scleral Lenses
To continue experiencing the remarkable benefits of scleral lenses every day, a consistent care routine is crucial. Following the instructions provided by your eye care professional is the most important step you can take to ensure the health of your eyes and the longevity of your custom lenses.
Proper cleaning prevents protein deposits that can cause foggy vision and protects you from potential infections. This is especially important for maintaining the therapeutic benefits of scleral lenses for dry eyes and keeping the lens surface pristine for conditions like keratoconus. Here are the essential tips to follow:
- Clean and Disinfect Daily: After removal each day, thoroughly clean and disinfect your scleral lenses using only the solutions prescribed by your doctor. This crucial step removes debris and kills harmful bacteria.
- Always Use Fresh Solution for Storage: When storing your lenses overnight, always fill a clean lens case with fresh disinfecting solution. Never “top off” or reuse old solution, as this can lead to serious contamination.
- Handle with Clean Hands and Care: Before touching your lenses, wash your hands thoroughly with a non-lotion-based soap. Because these are custom medical devices, handle them gently to avoid cracks or scratches.
- Adhere to Your Replacement Schedule: Your doctor will provide a replacement schedule, typically every one to two years. Following this is critical, as the lens material’s oxygen permeability can decrease over time.
- Attend All Follow-Up Visits: Annual check-ups are vital to monitor the fit of your lenses and the health of your cornea. These appointments are essential for enjoying the full, long-term benefits of your scleral lenses.
Tips for caring for your scleral lenses
5 Essential Care Tips to Maximize Your Scleral Lens Benefits
A simple daily routine is key to enjoying the lasting benefits of scleral lenses. To protect your eye health and get the most out of your investment, follow these essential tips recommended by our eye care professionals.
- Clean and Disinfect Daily: After removal each day, thoroughly clean and disinfect your scleral lenses using only the solutions prescribed by your doctor. This crucial step removes debris and kills harmful bacteria, which is vital for preventing infections and ensuring clear vision.
- Always Use Fresh Solution for Storage: When storing your lenses overnight, always fill a clean lens case with fresh disinfecting solution. Never “top off” or reuse old solution, as this can lead to serious contamination and eye health risks.
- Handle with Clean Hands and Care: Before touching your lenses, wash your hands thoroughly with a non-lotion-based soap and dry them with a lint-free towel. Handle the lenses gently, avoiding bending or flexing, to ensure they maintain their custom shape.
- Follow Your Replacement Schedule: Your doctor will provide a replacement schedule, typically every one to two years. Adhering to this timeline is critical, as the lens material can degrade over time, reducing oxygen flow and affecting the health of your eye.
- Attend All Follow-Up Visits: Regular check-ups allow your eye doctor to monitor the fit of your lenses and the health of your cornea. These appointments are essential for long-term success, especially for managing progressive conditions like keratoconus or the severe inflammation associated with dry eyes.
Your commitment to this routine is the best way to consistently experience the comfort and clarity that are the primary benefits of scleral lenses.
Scleral Lens Specialist in Michigan
Dr. Shira Kresch provides specialty scleral lens exams for patients across Michigan, including Metro Detroit, Troy, Birmingham, and nearby areas. Patients looking for the benefits of scleral lenses often need custom fitting for keratoconus, dry eye, or irregular corneas, which requires advanced experience and detailed evaluation.
Please call our eye specialists near you for more scleral contact lens information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of scleral lenses?
Scleral lenses provide clearer vision, better comfort, and protection for the eye surface. They are often used for keratoconus, dry eye, and irregular corneas when regular contact lenses cannot provide stable vision.
Are scleral lenses better than regular contact lenses?
Scleral lenses are larger and rest on the white part of the eye, which makes them more stable than soft contact lenses. Many patients experience sharper vision and less irritation, especially when they have keratoconus or dry eye.
Who can benefit from scleral lenses?
Patients with keratoconus, severe dry eye, astigmatism, corneal scars, or irregular corneas may benefit from scleral lenses. These lenses are custom fitted and can help when glasses or regular contacts do not work well.
Do scleral lenses help with dry eyes?
Yes, scleral lenses create a fluid layer between the lens and the eye, which helps keep the surface moist. This can reduce dryness, irritation, and discomfort for patients with chronic dry eye.
Do scleral lenses improve vision in keratoconus?
Scleral lenses are commonly used for keratoconus because they cover the irregular cornea and create a smooth optical surface. This allows many patients to see more clearly than with glasses or soft contact lenses.
Why are scleral lenses more comfortable?
Because scleral lenses do not touch the cornea, they often feel more comfortable than regular contact lenses. The lens rests on the sclera and holds a layer of fluid that keeps the eye protected.