Scleral Lenses

Scleral Lenses

Scleral lenses are large diameter rigid gas permeable contact lenses. The material is highly oxygen permeable. Scleral lenses are loosely suctioned to the white part of the eye (the sclera). For this reason, the eyelids do not interact with the edge of the lenses which makes them generally very comfortable. Because the lenses are loosely suctioned, the vision is quite stable. There are new coatings as of 2018 that can be added to the front surface to improve surface wettability (Tangible Hydrapeg). The lenses are filled with preservative-free saline, which makes them a nice treatment for many types of dry eye.

Who is a candidate for scleral lenses? Anyone with surface irregularities of the cornea such as:

• Keratoconus

• Pellucid Marginal Degeneration

• Post corneal transplant

• Post LASIK, PRK or RK

• Corneal scarring

For these patients the scleral lens can provide a new, stable, spherical surface for the image to enter the eye, which can lead to greatly improved vision

Another reason someone may choose this type of lens would be extreme dry eye such as in:

• Sjogrens Syndrome

• Steven’s Johnson Syndrome

• Graft vs. Host Disease

• Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca

With scleral lenses the eye is continually bathed in preservative-free saline or ocular lubricant. This can greatly increase the quality of life for patients with extreme dry eye.

Why many patients prefer these lenses over RGP (traditional rigid gas permeable lenses)

• More comfortable

• Don’t move around on eye

• Don’t fall out

• More stable vision

• Can be better for correcting residual astigmatism