Candidates for Scleral Lenses

These days, wearing glasses has become quite fashionable. Yet, the people who choose to live a life free from glasses can opt for contact lenses. But, contact lenses are not for every patient suffering from nearsightedness or farsightedness. Many people find contact lenses unbearable to wear, owing to the great discomfort they experience having them on.
 

These people can opt for scleral lenses. The designers of these lenses made them for patients who do not have an option in contact lenses. These lenses offer sharp vision, low risk of infection, and durability. These special glass permeable lenses are larger and more comfortable to wear than the normal contact lenses.

 

The Difference Between Scleral Lenses and Normal Contact Lenses

Normal contact lenses fit and lie over the cornea, whereas the scleral lenses do not rest on the cornea. As the name suggests, scleral lenses lie on the sclera. These special lenses do not make any contact with the cornea. These lenses vault, and only touch the white part of the eye.
 

The gap allows enough oxygen to reach the eyes. It also helps to keep the eye moist.
 

The scleral lenses are large, comfortable, less irritating, and fit better compared to the normal contact lenses. Normal lenses are between eight and 10mm in diameter, whereas scleral lenses range between 14 and 20mm in diameter.

Sizes of Scleral Lenses

Semi-scleral lenses – These are the smallest of the scleral lenses and only touch the eye at the point where the sclera and the cornea meet.
 

Mini scleral lenses – These touch the eye inside the sclera.
 

Full scleral lenses – These touch the eye at the sclera and have a large clearance between the lens and the cornea.

 

Best Candidates for Scleral Lenses

The best candidates for scleral lenses include people with eye problems such as:

• Keratoconus – This eye disease leads to the bulging and thinning of an individual’s cornea. Some patients suffering from this condition would not even enjoy wearing glasses or normal contact lenses. The unusual shape of their cornea prevents this.

• Dry Eyes – If an individual’s tear film dries up too quickly or does not provide enough lubrication, then he or she has a dry eye disease. The space between the eye and the lens plays the role of a reservoir for the tear film; thus, reducing the dryness.

• Irregular Cornea – An irregular cornea can be the result of attempted corrective eye surgery. It can also result from a naturally steep cornea that tends toward the shape of a cone. It is difficult or even impossible for these patients to wear normal lenses, but scleral lenses would fit them perfectly.

• Chemical Burns – People who may have exposed their eyes to chemicals can use these lenses. But it will depend on the nature and extent of the damage.

• Ocular Surface Diseases – Many ocular diseases can make it almost impossible for a patient to wear contact lenses. These scleral lenses act as a barrier to the affected ocular surface from exposure and in turn help to improve an individual’s vision.

• Eyelid Abnormalities – Some people are born with abnormal eyelids. Scleral lenses have a better chance of improving the vision of such people compared to traditional contact lenses.
  
  
   

Are you looking for comfortable lenses that would be a perfect fit for your eyes? We, at Reed Optical, will take the time to understand your vision needs and provide you with personalized care. We are located in Claremont, New Hampshire, and Sunapee, New Hampshire. To book an appointment, call us on (603) 543-3125 or (603) 763-7302.