Are you struggling with your vision? Have you tried different types of contact lenses with little to no success?
You could be a candidate for scleral contact lenses. While typical contact lenses are medical devices, scleral lenses are advanced medical devices which have many purposes that may help you. Scleral lenses provide a revolutionary solution for people with corneal irregularities and other vision difficulties.
Keep reading to learn more about scleral contact lenses and four facts you could learn about these corrective vision aids!
What are Scleral Contact Lenses?
Scleral contact lenses are customized, rigid gas-permeable lenses with diameters similar to soft contact lenses. Scleral lenses rest on the sclera or the white of the eye and allow oxygen to reach your cornea for better eye health.
4 Facts about Scleral Contact Lenses
Scleral contact lenses are a game changer for people suffering from:
- Ocular surface disease (dry eyes)
- Keratoconus
- Corneal ectasia
- High astigmatism
- Corneal dystrophy
- Corneal degeneration
- Pellucid marginal degeneration
- Injuries to the eye including blunt force trauma, chemicals, and burns
If you’re finding it hard to wear regular contacts, here are four facts about scleral contact lenses.
1. Scleral Lenses are Ideal for Hard-to-Fit Eyes
For people with irregularly shaped corneas, wearing conventional contact lenses can be a struggle. Scleral lenses easily fit irregular corneas.
Unlike standard contact lenses that rest on the cornea, scleral contacts sit on the sclera, offering a larger, more stable surface area and decreasing the risk that the contact will move or dislodge. They’re custom designed and made for each eye to ensure a perfect, secure fit for people with corneal issues.
2. Scleral Lenses Improve Vision
Uneven corneas, corneal issues, and ocular surface disease can cause visual distortions. Scleral contacts create a smooth, even surface, eliminating these distortions.
This leads to clear, crisp vision for many people. For people with high levels of astigmatism, nearsightedness, or farsightedness, standard contacts might not provide sufficient correction.
Scleral lenses offer exceptional vision correction for these challenging prescriptions, leaving you with remarkable improvement in the clarity and sharpness of your vision.
3. Most People Find Scleral Contacts to be Comfortable
If you have irritated corneas, corneal irregularities, or sustained injuries to the cornea, scleral contacts can provide the perfect solution. Scleral lenses avoid direct contact with a sensitive cornea, meaning you won’t feel the discomfort caused by conventional contacts.
You can expect a substantial improvement in your eye comfort with scleral lenses. Most people barely feel anything when wearing them.
4. Scleral Contacts Help with Ocular Surface Disease
Ocular surface disease is a chronic condition that can cause disruptive symptoms such as dry, irritated eyes, a burning sensation, a feeling of something stuck in the eye, and blurred vision. It occurs when your eyes don’t make adequate tears or produce poor-quality tears that evaporate rapidly.
If dry eyes are affecting your day-to-day life, you don’t have to give up on wearing contacts. Scleral lenses can offer long-term relief along with excellent visual clarity.
Unlike traditional contacts that sit on the cornea, which can aggravate already irritated eyes, scleral lenses vault over the irritated corneas and rest on the sclera, offering comfortable, sharp vision. Standard contacts can also sap moisture from your eyes, which is the last thing you want when you have dry eyes.
On the other hand, scleral lenses create a space between the cornea and the lens that contains a reservoir of saline solution. The solution constantly hydrates and lubricates your eyes, relieving dry eyes.
Are you interested in learning more about scleral contact lenses? Schedule an appointment at VisionPoint Eye Center in Bloomington, IL, today.
