Scleral Lenses: Vision Restoration for the Compromised Cornea

What Are Scleral Lenses?

Scleral lenses are custom-designed specialty contact lenses that vault over the cornea and rest on the sclera, the white part of the eye. Unlike traditional soft contacts or RGP lenses, scleral lenses create a smooth, stable optical surface and hold a thin layer of saline between the lens and the cornea. This unique design provides exceptional vision correction for patients with keratoconus, corneal irregularities, and other complex eye conditions.

Scleral lenses are not just for comfort — they are often medically necessary for patients with advanced corneal disease, providing clear, stable, and reliable vision when glasses or soft contacts cannot.

Who Needs Scleral Lenses?

Scleral lenses are ideal for patients with:

• Keratoconus and pellucid marginal degeneration
• Irregular corneas after LASIK, PRK, or corneal transplants
• Corneal scarring or dystrophies
• Severe dry eye or ocular surface disease
• High or irregular astigmatism
• Patients who cannot wear traditional RGP or soft contact lenses

By vaulting over the cornea and masking irregularities, scleral lenses provide the most precise and consistent vision correction for these conditions.

How Scleral Lenses Improve Vision

Patients with keratoconus or irregular corneas often experience blurry, distorted, or fluctuating vision. Scleral lenses restore vision by:

• Vaulting over the irregular cornea without touching it
• Creating a fluid reservoir that smooths out surface irregularities
• Providing a stable optical surface for sharper, clearer vision
• Reducing glare, halos, and ghosting
• Staying hydrated all day, which protects the cornea and improves comfort

For many patients, scleral lenses restore functional vision when glasses, soft contacts, or RGP lenses cannot.

Comfort Benefits of Scleral Lenses

Because they rest on the sclera instead of the sensitive cornea, scleral lenses are significantly more comfortable than traditional RGP lenses. The fluid-filled space acts as a cushion, reducing irritation, dryness, and lens awareness. Patients with dry eye syndrome or sensitive corneas often find scleral lenses to be the most comfortable long-term contact lens option.

Types of Scleral Lenses

• Mini-sclerals: Smaller scleral lenses that vault moderately over the cornea, good for mild to moderate corneal irregularities.
• Full-size sclerals: Larger lenses designed for maximum vault and stability, ideal for advanced keratoconus, corneal scarring, or post-surgical eyes.
• Custom wavefront or toric scleral lenses: Designed for highly irregular corneas or specialized prescriptions, offering the best possible clarity and vision correction.

Scleral Lens Fitting Process

Fitting scleral lenses requires advanced technology and a personalized approach:

1. Comprehensive eye exam: Assess overall health of eye and corneal shape, vision, tear film, and previous lens history.
2. Corneal imaging and mapping: Using topography to design a lens specific to your eye.
3. Trial lens fitting: Evaluate vault, fit, and comfort.
4. Custom lens fabrication: Refined lens sent to the lab for precise construction.
5. Insertion, removal, and care training: Ensuring safe and confident use.
6. Follow-up visits: Fine-tune lens for optimal comfort, clarity, and corneal health.

This careful fitting process ensures long-lasting comfort and superior vision for patients with keratoconus or other corneal irregularities.

Everyday Benefits of Scleral Lenses

Patients who wear scleral lenses typically experience:

• Clear, stable vision throughout the day
• Reduced halos, glare, and shadowing
• Relief from dryness and corneal irritation
• Ability to perform daily tasks like driving, reading, and computer use
• Improved overall quality of life and confidence

For many patients, scleral lenses are the most transformative vision correction option available.

Why Scleral Lenses Are Medically Necessary

For patients with keratoconus, corneal scarring, or advanced ocular surface disease:

• Glasses cannot correct distorted corneas
• Soft lenses fail to provide stable vision
• RGP lenses may be uncomfortable or unstable
• Surgery may be unnecessary or risky

Scleral lenses offer a safe, non-surgical, and highly effective solution, restoring vision while protecting the cornea. They are often the standard of care for complex corneal conditions.

Our Approach to Scleral Lenses

At our practice, we use advanced diagnostic technology and modern custom scleral lens design to create lenses that perfectly match your eyes. We focus on:

• Preserving long-term corneal health
• Delivering crisp, stable vision
• Maximizing comfort and hydration
• Meeting your lifestyle and visual needs

Our goal is simple: to help you see your best while keeping your eyes healthy for the future.

​​​​​​​If you or a loved one have keratoconus, an irregular cornea, or other complex corneal conditions, scleral lenses may be the solution you’ve been looking for. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation and see how custom scleral lenses can restore clear, comfortable, and reliable vision.