Patients who struggle to achieve good vision with regular contact lenses or glasses can benefit the most from scleral lenses. It’s not true that scleral lenses are only meant for patients whose corneas are irregularly shaped. This misconception was born from scleral lenses being used for specialty treatment only for a long time. But, in recent years, their use has broadened to include conditions that have nothing to do with corneal irregularities.
Examples of conditions that may be treated or partially treated using scleral lenses are:
High astigmatism
Dry eye treatment
Allergic eye diseases
Keratoconus
Corneal degeneration
Corneal transplant complications like graft vs host disease
Eyelid abnormalities
Chemical burn eye injuries
Corneal ectasia
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
Radial Keratotomy recovery
LASIK surgery complications
Sjogren’s Syndrome
Typically, your eye condition is the primary determinant of whether you are a good candidate for scleral lenses. But, your eye doctor must also consider other factors, such as:
Your Eye Shape
Some people struggle to keep their contact lenses on because of their eye shapes. Some eye shapes may cause the contact lenses to pop out or dislodge easily, and scleral lenses are an excellent alternative. If one or both of your eyes cannot fit contact lenses properly, scleral lenses may be a better fit and may offer better stability to your eyes.
Your Contact Lenses’ Irritation
Even if your condition necessitates wearing scleral lenses, the size of the scleral lenses can disqualify you. For most patients, the eye doctor would have no problem fitting the patient for the lenses. But, scleral lenses are significantly larger than typical contact lenses and require more space on the cornea. Scleral lenses’ diameter typically falls between 14mm and 20mm. Therefore, the patient’s eye opening must be a particular size to insert the scleral lenses. Most people would not have a problem fitting scleral lenses, but this is a critical consideration an optometrist must make for your comfort.
Scleral lenses are now used to address many eye problems, especially those that do not respond well to traditional treatments. If you wonder if you would make a good candidate for these lenses, it’s best to consult an optometrist.
For more on scleral lenses and whether you can benefit from them, visit Advanced Eyecare Consultants at our Libertyville or Lake Zurich, Illinois, offices. Call 847-994-4500 or 847-438-7700 to schedule your appointment.