Scleral lenses are a unique type of lens made of an oxygen-permeable rigid plastic that is filled with a sterile saline solution before being placed on the eye.
Scleral Lenses are not Contact Lenses
”Contact lens” is not-applicable to this type of lens because there is no contact with the lens and the cornea (clear front dome of the eye). This type of lens lands on the white portion of the eye, the sclera. The space between the cornea and the lens is filled with saline, providing moisture to the cornea all day long, and has the ability to mask corneal irregularities, abnormal conditions, and highly diseased eyes.
This lens essentially creates a new, more perfect, front surface of the eye. This allows for much sharper vision for those with keratoconus, corneal transplants, radial keratotomy, corneal scarring, post-LASIK ectasia, and even severe dry eye.
This type of specialty corneo-scleral contact lenses are frequently used when contact lenses are needed after LASIK or other corneal refractive surgery to correct irregular astigmatism. More complex conditions, including advanced keratoconus, pathologically dry eyes or severe ocular surface disease that might require a large tear reservoir, often are fitted with larger diameter scleral lens, as they have more capacity to hold fluid or bridge large changes in corneal curvature.
During your contact lens exam and fitting, Dr. Erika Morrow will determine the best scleral lens type and size for your specific needs.
Scleral Lenses are Long-Lasting
Scleral lenses can last for up to 18 months as long as your corneal shape or prescription doesn’t change, and the lenses are properly cared for. These lenses are very high quality and an excellent investment in clear, comfortable vision.
At ForSight we highly recommend having a backup pair of scleral lenses, especially if you have an ocular condition and rely on these lenses to see.
Types of Scleral Lenses
If you are over 40 years old, you have the options below with scleral lenses:
Distance Scleral Lenses + Reading Glasses
Both eyes corrected for distance with the lenses. For reading, you may wear progressive glasses (for a full range of vision) or reading glasses (for one range of vision) over the scleral lenses when needed.
Monovision
One eye corrected for distance vision and the other eye corrected for reading or computer. The brain uses each eye independently and chooses which one to use for which task. Most people can adapt to this, some people cannot.
Multifocal Scleral Lenses
This is a different design of scleral lens which combines both distance vision and near vision into the same lens. This requires a different fitting procedure but can give incredible vision. Multifocal lenses do require some compromise since the lenses are accomplishing so many tasks. Nighttime vision may give slightly more halos around lights due to the design of the lens. Most people can adapt to this over time. Multifocals are not an option for those with advanced corneal disease.
Caring for Your Scleral Lenses
It is very important to call the office if you experience any pain, redness, or light sensitivity when you are wearing your scleral lens or when you remove the scleral lens. If it is after normal office hours, you will call the office and push 1 to reach the doctor on call directly.
Clean and store contacts in Clear Care hydrogen peroxide cleaning system used for for cleaning, disinfecting, & storage of your lenses.
Important - Clear Care has a RED TOP to indicated that it should NEVER go directly in the eye because it will cause a chemical burn which hurts very badly. It is very important that you follow the instructions on box.
Before inserting your contacts you want to rinse and gently rub the scleral lenses with your fingers before insertion with BioTrue saline.
Fill the bowl of the scleral lens with Preservative-free saline ONLY – Use one of the three preferred salines:
1. Addipak Unit Dose - 0.9% NaCl inhalation saline
2. LacriPure – order from dryeyeshop.com or amazon
3. Nutrifill
You can order any of the above from dryeyeshop.com or on Amazon. These need to be thrown away after each use - they cannot be saved.
DO NOT USE FILLING SOLUTION THAT COMES IN A LARGE BOTTLE due to risk of infection and complications.
