Who Can Benefit From Scleral Lenses?

Many people refer to scleral lenses as contact lenses. However, scleral lenses don’t make contact with the cornea, so they aren’t contact lenses in the traditional sense. The perimeter of scleral lenses rests on the white of the eyes, which is the sclera. In so doing, they resolve many of the issues that some people have with contact lenses. In fact, scleral lenses in Wellington, FL, make it possible for many people to wear lenses who previously only had the option of wearing prescription eyeglasses. Those who can most benefit from scleral lenses include:

Persons With Dry Eye Syndrome

If you have dry eyes or dry eye syndrome, you may benefit from trying scleral lenses. They can be an effective treatment option for individuals with severe dry eye syndrome who are unresponsive to traditional treatments such as artificial tears or punctual plugs. The special design of these lenses creates a reservoir of moisture that helps keep the eyes hydrated and comfortable.

Persons With Strong Prescriptions

Scleral lenses are particularly useful for people with severe nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. The customized design and precise fit of scleral lenses allow for optimal correction of refractive errors, providing clear and crisp vision for individuals with strong prescription needs. They are especially helpful when an individual is trying to avoid the problem of wearing very thick eyeglass lenses.

Persons With Irregular Corneas

Besides keratoconus, other conditions, such as corneal ectasia, scarring, and irregularities following corneal transplant surgery, can cause irregular astigmatism and visual distortions. Scleral lenses can provide clear and comfortable vision by vaulting over the irregular corneal surface.

If you’re wondering if scleral lenses may be a good fit for you, visit one of our eye doctors in Wellington, FL. No matter what your particular vision needs, Vision Source can help!

Are Scleral Lenses Better For My Eyes?  

Your Wellington, FL, optometrist for contact lenses has a range of options for you to choose from, including sclera lenses. Scleral lenses aren’t technically contact lenses at all, because they don’t come into contact with the cornea like traditional contact lenses. For many people who need corrective lenses, scleral lenses are a smart choice. But they may or may not be necessary in your particular circumstances.

What Makes Scleral Lenses Different From Regular Contact Lenses?

Both hard and soft contact lenses rest atop the cornea. The perimeter of contact lenses is only millimeters beyond the cornea’s periphery or sometimes millimeters inside the cornea’s periphery.

The sclera is the white part of the eye. Scleral lenses bridge over the cornea, and the edges rest atop the sclera. No part of the scleral lenses makes direct contact with the cornea. This is the main difference that makes scleral lenses so unique.

Benefits of Scleral Lenses

One of the primary benefits of scleral lenses is that they don’t contribute to dryness of the eyes like regular lenses sometimes can. This is due to there being no contact with the cornea. Scleral lenses are shaped like a dome, and this dome spans over the cornea. The space between the inside top of the dome and the cornea retains moisture, which increases comfort and alleviates dryness. This huge benefit is why scleral lenses are so often recommended for those with dry eye syndrome.

Having said that, anyone can theoretically enjoy this benefit. If traditional lenses cause you discomfort for any reason, you might want to try scleral lenses. It’s possible that your cornea is sensitive, and scleral lenses could help.

If you’d like to learn more about this option for scleral lenses in Wellington, Fl, please contact our office to book an appointment.

 

Do Scleral Contacts Hurt?

When you look at scleral contacts, you can immediately tell the difference between them and regular soft contacts. Not only are scleral contacts larger, but they’re also shaped differently. Because they’re designed to rest on the whites of your eyes due to an irregularly shaped cornea, there’s a noticeable dome in the middle of the lens. If you’re wondering whether they’re uncomfortable to wear, we’ll look at what you can expect from your experience.

The Scleral Contact Experience

The short answer to the main questions is that scleral contacts may be uncomfortable for some people. However, this is not necessarily due to the lens but rather to how an optometrist adjusts the lens. Because there are several ways an eye doctor in Wellington, FL, can shape them, it can be easy to make the wrong adjustments. For instance, if one of the edges of the contact is too flat, it can cause discomfort in a specific part of the eye.

Who Needs Scleral Contacts?

Scleral contacts in Wellington, FL, are made for people with corneas that don’t conform to the standard shape of a cornea. In the most basic terms, you can think of the cornea more like a football (in that it protrudes) rather than a baseball. Scleral contacts are made from a rigid material and can be worn for as long as a year. While there’s more responsibility to clean and care for scleral contact lenses, they are durable enough to handle the pressures of everyday wear.

Optometrists in Wellington, FL

There’s no reason to be nervous about needing scleral contacts, but it will make a difference who you choose to fit them. Family Vision Center PA’s staff can help you find a comfortable solution so that you can see.

Signs You May Need Scleral Contact Lenses

Your eyesight is one of the most precious treasures that you have. Proper vision care is extremely important for maintaining one of the five critical senses, which helps you live life to the fullest. If you have been affected by low vision issues, it may be time to explore specialty optical solutions, such as scleral lenses. Vision Source of Wellington, FL goes beyond the eye exam and eyeglass prescription to provide its patients with the utmost quality equipment in vision care solutions.

What are Scleral Lenses?

Scleral lenses are a type of specialty lens that help to solve problems surrounding eyeglass and contact lens solutions. Many people may not qualify for standard contact lenses, or may not even be a good fit for their particular situation. Scleral lenses are one of the best solutions when deciding what kind of step forward you would like to take in your healthcare improvement.

Why Do I Need Scleral Lenses?

Scleral Lenses are used in many different cases and have many benefits.

Irregular Eye Shape

Scleral Lenses are great for patients within the “hard-to-fit” category. If you have ever been denied contact lenses, it may be due to an irregular eye or cornea shape. Scleral lenses are much larger than the cornea and sit on top of the sclera, which is the white part of the eye – ensuring a proper fit for everyone.

Eye Disease

Some progressive eye diseases cause the cornea to bulge out, while others may cause irregularities in the ocular surface. Your physician will be able to correctly diagnose these symptoms and prescribe the proper lenses for your situation.

Dry Eyes

Severely dry eyes may be a result of other medication or advanced dry eye disease. Scleral lenses have a layer of protection between the eye and the lens that can be filled with a saline solution, keeping your eyes moist.

Your Local Quality Vision Care Experts

Vision Source of Wellington, FL is your local holistic eye care solution. During your consultation, the team will be able to properly guide you and recommend the best course of action to improve your quality of life.

How do Scleral Lenses Help With Dry Eye?  

Wearing traditional contact lenses when you have dry eye in Wellington, FL can be a little bit challenging. The lack of hydration that is symptomatic of dry eye typically makes it uncomfortable to wear regular contact lenses. Although eyeglasses are one good solution, there is another. Scleral lenses offer a way to correct vision problems for those with dry eye syndrome.

Scleral Lenses Increase Hydration

Because of the way that scleral lenses sit over, rather than on top of, the eyes, they don’t inhibit hydration of the eyes. In between the cornea and the scleral lens is a liquid reservoir that contains saline solution. This translates to near-constant hydration for the eyes, something that those with dry eye syndrome will benefit from.

Scleral Lenses Help Keep Cornea Safe From Damage

With dry eye syndrome, the eyes are under-hydrated, which can result in corneal damage from inflammation, friction or even abrasion. Scleral lenses act as a barrier between eyelids and the cornea, helping to keep the cornea free of irritation and damage.

Eye Irritation is Minimized With Scleral Lenses

Patients with dry eye syndrome often complain of irritation and discomfort. This is due to the eyes not being lubricated sufficiently. Regular contact lenses exacerbate this irritation and discomfort. But scleral lenses don’t come into contact with the cornea; the perimeter of the lens sits on the white part of the eye. Therefore, there is no direct contact with the cornea and eye irritation is minimized.

Scleral lenses are most often prescribed for those with corneal irregularities, damage or refractive errors. However, they are also ideal for many people who suffer from dry eye syndrome. Talk to your Wellington, FL eye doctor to find out if scleral lenses might be right for your needs.