Everything You Need to Know About Scleral Contact Lenses

Scleral contact lenses are the best solution for individuals experiencing eye issues that hinder them from wearing eyeglasses or standard contact lenses. Over the past decade, the popularity of scleral contact lenses has surged, attributed to their superior visual performance and their ability to address various eye issues.

However, many individuals question whether they should go for scleral contact lenses. If you are new to this option, don’t worry — Eyes on Brickell, led by Dr. Antoine Copty, has you covered. Our Miami-based eye clinic provides comprehensive eye care services. So, in this post, we will try to address common queries to help familiarize you with the scleral contact lenses.

• Introducing Scleral Contact Lenses
• How Do Scleral Lenses Work?
• Who Is The Right Candidate for Scleral Lenses in Miami?
• Scleral Lenses Can Help Patients with High Prescription and Astigmatism
• How Are Scleral Lenses Fitted?
• Are Scleral Lenses More Comfortable Than Others?
• How To Insert and Remove Scleral Lenses?
• Conclusion: Final Words From Our Experts!

Keep Reading!

Introducing Scleral Contact Lenses

Scleral contact lenses are more rigid and larger than the eye cornea. Unlike standard contact lenses, these lenses rest on the white part of your eye, known as the sclera. Scleral lenses are gas-permeable, allowing oxygen to reach the cornea for better eye health. Also, these lenses are firm and hold their shape. These lenses provide improved vision and can be worn for long periods.

Also, patients who have Distorted vision (astigmatism), Difficulty with near vision with age (presbyopia), Farsightedness (hyperopia), and Nearsightedness (myopia) can wear scleral contact lenses to correct their vision.

Check out the following post if you’re a beginner or new to scleral contact lenses: https://www.eyesonbrickell.com/the-beginners-guide-to-scleral-lenses/

How Do Scleral Lenses Work?

As you may be aware, various reasons can cause vision problems. Imperfectly round corneal surfaces can affect your vision. Fitting regular soft contact lenses or glasses can be challenging if a person has keratoconus. This progressive condition alters the corneal structure. In such cases, the person will need a second opinion on scleral lens fitting for keratoconus in Brickell to improve their vision.

When someone wears scleral lenses, they vault over the cornea without contacting it. These lenses and cornea have space in between, and these spaces are filled with sterile saline solution. This solution keeps the eyes hydrated and fills in corneal irregularities to provide superior vision.

Who is The Right Candidate for Scleral Lenses?

If you are suffering from any of the following eye issues, you may be a perfect candidate for scleral lens treatment from a center in Brickell, Miami:

• Corneal degeneration
• Corneal dystrophy
• Dry Eye Syndrome
• High Astigmatism
• Full prescription
• Injuries to the eye from burns or chemicals
• Keratoconus
• LASIK-related complications like corneal ectasia
• Pellucid Marginal Degeneration

But what for those unaware of their eye conditions and who have just accepted their poor vision as fate? Or maybe the professional from whom you have gotten your eye checked does not have the right equipment and technology or does not use them to detect your eye issues. In that case, you might have to sacrifice your vision.

At Eyes on Brickell, we observed numerous patients, some as young as in their 30s or 40s, who were unaware that they could experience better clarity of vision with scleral contact lenses. Dr. Antoine Copty, one of the top-rated physicians in Brickell, Miami, stated that several professional athletes and even surgeons had been misdiagnosed and benefited significantly from scleral contact lenses.

Scleral Lenses Can Help Patients with High Prescription and Astigmatism

Scleral Lenses for Patients with Very High Prescription

Patients with very high prescriptions may face a slightly elevated risk of complications during corrective procedures and conditions like corneal ectasia or keratoconus. This is due to the need for more tissue removal from the corneal bed to achieve desired outcomes. Scleral lenses provide various advantages for patients with high prescriptions. These benefits include increased comfort, enhanced vision, minimized glare, effective treatment for severe dry eye, and stable vision and prescription upon lens removal.

Scleral Lenses for Patients with Astigmatism

Alternatively, scleral lenses stand out as an outstanding non-surgical option for vision correction in patients with astigmatism, a refractive error stemming from the cornea’s irregular shape. These lenses excel in masking astigmatism by establishing a seamless, uniform optical surface that overlays the irregular cornea. Maintaining moisture levels throughout the day provides astigmatism patients with clearer and more comfortable vision. Ultimately, their design enables the eye to focus light, ensuring sharp vision and comfort accurately.

How Are Scleral Lenses Fitted?

Accurate measurements are crucial for achieving a perfect fit for scleral lenses. Many advanced practices utilize cutting-edge technology to take precise cornea measurements, including corneal topography, which involves 3D cornea scans, and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) imaging, which employs high-definition ultrasound scans.

A corneal topographer plays a vital role in detecting any corneal irregularities. This device measures the 3D shape of the cornea to provide the doctor with precise measurements of its shape.

By using such technology to map the surface of the eyeball accurately, your eye doctor can create custom lenses that cater to the specific shape of your eyes. This allows the lens to accommodate any unusual eye shapes, providing you with the utmost comfort and effectiveness that traditional lenses and eyeglasses may not offer.

Are Scleral Lenses More Comfortable Than Others?

Scleral lenses are renowned for their exceptional comfort. This is mainly because they never come in contact with the cornea, the most sensitive part of the eye, housing a high density of nerve endings. As a result, anything that comes into contact with the cornea can cause discomfort and pain. Even a tiny eyelash can cause significant discomfort until it is removed. However, scleral lenses are designed to rest on the sclera, the white part of the eye, with fewer pain receptors.

Although it may take some time to get used to the sensation of the lens resting on the sclera, most patients find it easy to adjust to this feeling after a few weeks. Unlike regular contacts that can be uncomfortable, scleral lenses provide a unique and different experience that most patients find comfortable once they get used to.

Moreover, scleral lenses offer extra hydration to the eyes, which improves eye comfort in the long run. This added moisture helps keep the eyes lubricated and reduces dryness, which can cause discomfort and irritation.

How To Insert and Remove Scleral Lenses?

Inserting scleral lenses is similar to that of hard and soft lenses. However, the diameter of scleral lenses is usually larger than that of Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) and soft contact lenses, making insertion a bit challenging, especially for first-time contact lens wearers.

At Eyes on Brickell, we have successfully fitted many new contact lens wearers with scleral lenses, and with some practice, insertion becomes easier. A unique plunger, which works efficiently, is used to remove scleral lenses.

It is important to note that, like soft and RGP lenses, scleral lenses should not be worn overnight. Prolonged use can deprive the cornea of oxygen, which can cause permanent damage to the eyes.

Conclusion: Final Words From Our Experts!

Finding an optometrist specializing in scleral contact lenses is crucial to ensure you get the best fit for your eyes. If scleral contact lenses could benefit you, it’s highly recommended that you consult with your optometrist. You can schedule an appointment for Eyecare and Contact Lens Services at Eyes on Brickell today to receive a thorough eye exam and determine the best solution. Additionally, you can schedule a scleral contact lens fitting to ensure the best possible outcome.