Scleral Lenses

Understanding Scleral Lenses

While they are lenses, scleral lenses are specially designed to offer better performance than traditional contact lenses do. For starters, just like conventional contact lenses, the scleral lenses can and are used to correct vision. However, they are also used to restore the ocular surface even when other treatment options have failed.

As such, patients who are uncomfortable or do not get good vision using traditional contact lenses or glasses, or patients looking to treat certain eye ailments can turn to scleral lenses as a treatment option. In fact, while scleral lenses began as a specialty treatment option, they are now widespread and as popular as other treatment options, even for individuals with normal corneas.

Scleral contact lenses are custom-made for each patient’s eye which set them apart from regular contact lenses. When custom designing the lenses, each lens is fitted and shaped to vault over the cornea, thereby retaining a constant reservoir of fluid between the cornea and the lens. This, in turn, ensures that the users’ eyes remain hydrated all through while wearing the lenses. Additionally, the reservoir fluid helps to compensate the natural irregularities that a cornea may have, thereby enhancing one’s vision.

At Fusion Eye Care, we have specialized in fitting the scleral lenses. We design and make lenses that are highly permeable to oxygen which improves the comfort levels our patients get. However, we also ensure that our lenses achieve high-quality vision improvement, much the same as the rigid gas permeable lenses do. As such, our patients end up with soft lens comfort and improved comfort. In most cases, our patients say they do not feel the lenses at all, despite wearing them for hours.

Scleral Contact Lenses Design

For the scleral contact lenses, they tend to have a larger diameter. As such, while they are designed to vault over corneas, their larger design allows them to sit on the sclera – the white part of the eye. Consequently, users benefit from improved vision and at the same time, they enjoy better comfort as the lenses do not sit on the cornea. Typically, lenses that sit on the cornea are uncomfortable and more so among individuals who suffer from corneal irritation or individuals whose corneas are irregularly shaped.

As you can appreciate, such as lens design has numerous health benefits. They correct distorted and blurred vision, they promote the healing of the ocular surface, and they also protect the cornea from the eyelids and the general environment. Therefore, when compared to other lens designs, these are the best lenses on the market.

At Fusion Eye Care, we are passionate about our work and we fully appreciate that our products have the potential of improving our patients’ quality of life. As such, we work closely with each of our patients to get an optimal fit for the specialty scleral lenses. To furthermore differentiate ourselves from other eye-care providers, we have taken a keen interest in understanding what is needed to develop scleral lenses for patients with corneal irregularities. Therefore, regardless of the state of your eyes, you can rest assured that we will come up with a solution for you.

Importantly, we are constantly updating and expanding our knowledge of the lens technology. Our mission is to provide the best and greatest lens technology as a solution for their vision problems. At this point in time, the scleral lenses are the best lens technology available for the mass market. As such, we have made this our focus.

Conditions That Scleral Lenses Treat

Dry Eye Syndrome
Corneal dystrophies and degenerations
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
Chemical and burn injuries
Keratoconus and ectasia
Post-corneal transplant
Eyelid abnormalities
Radial Keratotomy (RK)
Sjogren’s Syndrome
Graft vs Host Disease
Corneal ectasia (and many other complications arising from LASIK)

Scleral Cost

The cost of the lenses is not constant as they are customized for individuals. Therefore, the price of these lenses will vary from individual to individuals. Contact us with your questions.

Using Scleral Lenses

For individuals who have been wearing contact lenses, it will take some time to get used to these lenses. This is because the lenses sit differently and occupy a different position, hence the putting in and removal procedures for this particular lenses is different from the typical lenses. However, if you are new to contact lenses, you will get used to using them quite fast.

To learn more about scleral lenses, please call us today at (919) 977-7480. Dr. Bassiri and the Fusion Eye Care team look forward to ensuring you get help with your scleral lenses.

5 Reasons Why Sclerals Are the Top-Performing Contact Lenses for Keratoconus

Nowadays, various types of contact lenses can be prescribed for patients with keratoconus. However, we are avid fans of scleral lenses! Scleral lenses are rigid gas permeable lenses with an extra-wide diameter that vaults over your whole cornea. In contrast to other contact lenses, they rest on the whites of your eyes (sclera) and do not make contact with the corneal surface. When it comes to providing sharp visual acuity, comfortable wearing, and healthy eyes, scleral lenses rank at the top of the charts.

Unique Advantages of Scleral Lenses

Ultimate wearing comfort

Scleral lenses create a pocket under the contact lens that fills with tears and lubricates your eyes. (For this reason, scleral lenses are often a great option for people who suffer from dry eyes.) Not only does this cushion of moisture lead to a comfortable wearing experience, but it also promotes healthy eyes throughout the whole day.

Because scleral lenses do not make contact with your corneal surface, you also benefit from a decreased risk of corneal abrasions.

Stable vision

Regular contact lenses generally have a 9mm diameter, and scleral lenses range from 14 – 20 mm. Even if you have advanced keratoconus and an extremely irregular corneal surface, the larger size ensures that scleral lenses remain stable and centered. As a result, you’ll have more consistent, crisper vision.

The large diameter also makes it almost impossible for scleral lenses to dislodge during normal wear, even for people with keratoconus and an active California lifestyle. We hear great reviews about scleral lenses from our physically active Lombard patients!

Made to last

Scleral lenses, which are rigid gas permeable contact lenses, are typically long-lasting, as they are constructed from durable, quality materials. Therefore, while the initial cost of fitting scleral lenses may be higher than regular contact lenses, you’ll receive maximum value from these specialty lenses!

User friendly

Some people find conventional lenses difficult to handle, especially if they have poor vision or problems with manual dexterity. Scleral lenses are much larger than regular contact lenses, which can make insertion and removal easier – and it reduces the risk of you accidentally causing damage to your cornea. In general, your chances of complications from scleral lenses are significantly less.

More visual coverage

Due to their size and extra-wide optic zones, scleral lenses enable precise peripheral vision, and they reduce your sensitivity to glare and light. They are suitable for a broad range of vision prescriptions, including astigmatism, as long as they are fit by a qualified and experienced eye doctor.

For best results, you need a knowledgeable and experienced eye care professional to fit you with scleral lenses and provide follow-up eye exams. Fortunately, our eye doctor is a pro! He will will examine your eyes and measure your cornea to fit your scleral lenses precisely in our office.

Scleral lenses must be customized to meet the unique corneal irregularities of every keratoconus patient, and we’ll provide you with the personalized service and attention you need. We welcome everyone from Lombard and all nearby communities to schedule a consultation today!