6-Step Scleral Lens Fitting in Birmingham MI: Your Guide

For those living with complex corneal conditions like keratoconus or severe dry eye, the search for clear, comfortable vision can be a long and frustrating journey. You may feel like you’ve tried everything—glasses that don’t fully correct the blur, and standard soft contact lenses that are irritating or simply ineffective.

If you’ve been told you have an “irregular cornea” or are “hard to fit” with contacts, there is an advanced solution that can truly change your life. That solution begins with a specialized, in-depth process: a scleral lens fitting in Birmingham MI.

This is not a standard contact lens check-up; it is a highly customized medical service designed to create a lens that vaults entirely over your cornea, providing a new, perfectly smooth surface for light to focus through. The result is often a level of clarity and comfort that patients thought was no longer possible.

At Michigan Contact Lens, we are a leading provider of this life-changing technology. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the process, from the initial consultation to the final, fine-tuned fit.

Chapter 1: Why a Scleral Lens Fitting is More Than a Standard Eye Exam

It’s important to understand the difference between a routine eye exam and a scleral lens fitting. A standard exam determines your prescription for glasses. A regular contact lens exam adds a few basic measurements to fit a conventional soft lens.

A scleral lens exam in Birmingham MI, however, is a far more detailed medical evaluation.

The “fitting” process encompasses the entire journey. It includes the initial comprehensive exam, advanced digital mapping of your eye’s surface, the hands-on process of trying diagnostic lenses, custom lens design, and multiple follow-up visits to perfect the fit.

Because scleral lenses are custom medical devices, this meticulous process is essential for ensuring safety, comfort, and optimal vision. A proper scleral lens fitting in Birmingham MI is a blend of medical science and skilled artistry, tailored to your unique eyes.

Chapter 2: Who is an Ideal Candidate for Scleral Lenses?

A scleral lens fitting in Birmingham MI is recommended for individuals who cannot achieve clear or comfortable vision with other methods. This primarily includes patients with the following conditions:

Keratoconus & Corneal Ectasias

For patients with a cone-shaped or bulging cornea, glasses can’t correct the distortion and soft lenses simply drape over the irregular shape, failing to improve vision.

According to the National Keratoconus Foundation, finding a stable vision solution is the primary challenge for patients. Scleral lenses vault over the cone entirely, creating a perfectly smooth optical surface that provides crisp, clear sight.

If you are looking for a keratoconus doctor in Birmingham MI, finding an expert in scleral lenses is paramount.

Severe Dry Eye Syndrome

For those suffering from conditions like Sjögren’s Syndrome, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, or Graft-vs-Host Disease, the eyes can be too dry and sensitive for any other type of lens.

As noted by the National Eye Institute, severe cases require more than just artificial tears. A scleral lens creates a fluid-filled reservoir over the cornea, acting as a “liquid bandage” that provides constant hydration, protection, and profound relief from pain.

Post-Surgical Complications

Vision problems can sometimes occur after procedures like LASIK, RK (Radial Keratotomy), or corneal transplants, resulting in a newly irregular eye surface. Scleral lenses are a non-surgical solution that can restore sharp vision by bypassing these irregularities.

High or Irregular Astigmatism

For some individuals, astigmatism is so complex that it cannot be fully corrected with glasses or soft toric lenses. Scleral lenses provide a stable, rigid surface that offers superior astigmatism correction and stable vision.

Chapter 3: The Technology Behind a Perfect Scleral Lens Fitting

Achieving a truly custom fit requires more than just a standard eye chart. At our Birmingham clinic, we utilize state-of-the-art technology to gather incredibly precise data about your eyes.

Corneal Topography

This is the first and most critical step. A corneal topographer is a non-invasive imaging device that creates a detailed, 3D color map of your cornea’s surface. It shows us the exact size, shape, and steepness of any irregularities. This map acts as the blueprint for designing a lens that will perfectly vault over your cornea without touching it.

Scleral Profilometry / OCT Imaging

This is what sets a true specialist apart. The sclera—the white part of the eye where the lens rests—is not a perfect sphere. It has its own unique curves, bumps, and angles.

We use advanced technology like an Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) scanner to map the shape of your sclera. This allows us to design a lens with edges that land evenly and comfortably on your eye, creating a stable, sealed fit that prevents lens movement and fogging.

Chapter 4: The Art of Customization: Why Sclerals Are Not ‘One Size Fits All’

The complexity and effectiveness of scleral lenses come from their incredible range of customizable parameters. Unlike a soft lens, which has limited options, nearly every aspect of a scleral lens can be tailored to your specific eye.

This level of detail is what makes an expert scleral lens fitting in Birmingham MI so crucial. During the process, we consider:

Diameter and Vault

The overall size (diameter) and the height of the dome (vault) are the foundational parameters. A patient with a very steep keratoconic cone will require a much higher vault than a patient with a relatively flat post-LASIK cornea. We select the smallest possible diameter that is still large enough to land comfortably and provide a complete corneal vault.

Toric Landing Zones

Just as a cornea can have astigmatism (two different curves), the sclera can too. If a standard, symmetrical lens edge lands on an asymmetrical sclera, it can cause the lens to rock, decenter, or allow debris underneath. We can design the lens with toric peripheries, or landing zones, that match the unique curves of your sclera for a perfectly stable fit.

Multifocal and Astigmatism Correction

Modern scleral lenses can do more than just correct for the corneal irregularity. We can incorporate advanced optics onto the front surface of the lens to correct other issues. This includes adding multifocal optics for patients with presbyopia (difficulty reading up close) or correcting any residual astigmatism. The ability to add these optics is a game-changer, and it all starts with a precise scleral lens fitting in Birmingham MI.

Advanced Modifications

For truly unique eyes, we can even add specialized modifications like notches to accommodate growths on the sclera (like a pinguecula) or tiny fenestrations (holes) to help reduce suction on removal. Each of these advanced customizations is considered during a thorough scleral lens fitting in Birmingham MI.

Chapter 5: What to Expect at a Scleral Lens Fitting: The Step-by-Step Process

The journey to your custom lenses is a precise, collaborative process. Here’s a detailed look at what happens during a scleral lens fitting in Birmingham MI at our clinic.

Step 1: The Initial Consultation

We begin by discussing your medical and ocular history, your previous experiences with vision correction, your daily lifestyle, and your ultimate visual goals. This conversation is key to tailoring the process to you.

Step 2: The Comprehensive Exam

Next comes the comprehensive scleral lens exam in Birmingham MI. This includes assessing your prescription and performing the advanced diagnostic imaging with the topographer and OCT scanner as described above.

Step 3: The Diagnostic (Trial) Lens Fitting

This is the hands-on part of the process. Based on your eye maps, we select several diagnostic lenses from our extensive trial set. We place a lens on your eye with fluorescein dye, which allows us to use a special blue light and microscope (a slit lamp) to see the fluid layer. We meticulously assess the lens’s central clearance, how it lands on your sclera, and how it moves, making micro-adjustments to find the most stable and comfortable starting point.

Step 4: Custom Lens Design and Ordering

Using the data from your exam, topography, and diagnostic fitting, we design your personalized scleral lenses. We specify numerous parameters—diameter, vault, edge design, material, and your exact prescription—and send this design to a specialized laboratory where your lenses are custom-manufactured.

Step 5: Dispensing and One-on-One Training

When your custom lenses arrive, we schedule a dispensing appointment. Our team will teach you proper, safe techniques for insertion, removal, cleaning, and disinfection. We ensure you are completely comfortable and confident before you take your new lenses home.

Step 6: Follow-Up Visits for Fine-Tuning

A perfect fit is a process. We will schedule follow-up appointments to assess your vision and comfort after several hours of wear. We may make small adjustments to the lens power or design as needed to guarantee your long-term success and happiness. This commitment to perfection is a core part of every scleral lens fitting in Birmingham MI.

Chapter 6: Experience the Difference: Your Free Scleral Lens Trial

We understand that investing in a custom medical device is a big decision. For those considering scleral lenses, we offer a unique opportunity: a free scleral lens trial during your initial consultation.

This allows you to experience firsthand the remarkable comfort and clarity that scleral lenses can provide before committing to a full fitting or purchase.

During the free trial, our skilled optometrists will place a diagnostic lens on your eye, allowing you to gain valuable insight into how these lenses can improve your daily vision. It’s a risk-free way to explore this advanced option. This is a key part of our approach to every scleral lens consultation in Birmingham.

Chapter 7: Frequently Asked Questions About Scleral Lenses

Are scleral lenses hard to put in and take out?
There is a learning curve due to their size, but it is very manageable. We provide extensive one-on-one training, and most patients become proficient within a week. We also provide small plungers that make handling the lenses simple and easy to master.

Can I swim in scleral lenses?
It is strongly recommended that you do not swim or use a hot tub while wearing any type of contact lens, including sclerals. Water can harbor harmful microorganisms that may cause serious eye infections. Goggles are a must if you are in the water.

How long do scleral lenses last?
With proper care and handling, a pair of custom scleral lenses typically lasts for one to three years. This makes them a very durable and cost-effective solution for long-term vision correction compared to the recurring cost of daily disposable soft lenses.

Is the scleral lens fitting process covered by insurance?
This depends on your plan. Scleral lenses are considered a “medically necessary” device for conditions like keratoconus, not a cosmetic luxury. As such, many medical insurance plans (not vision plans) offer coverage for the lenses and the fitting process. Our staff can help you understand and navigate your benefits during your scleral lens fitting in Birmingham MI.

Your Expert Scleral Lens Fitting in Birmingham MI

Choosing to pursue scleral lenses is a significant step toward reclaiming your vision and quality of life. The success of this journey depends almost entirely on the skill and dedication of the practitioner performing the fitting.

It requires a deep understanding of ocular health, advanced technology, and a patient-centered approach. At Michigan Contact Lens, we are dedicated to providing the highest standard of care for every scleral lens fitting in Birmingham MI.

We are here to guide you through the entire process, from your first consultation to your successful long-term wear.

Ready to see the world with newfound clarity and comfort?

Contact [Your Practice Name] today to schedule your comprehensive evaluation.