Everything you need to know about scleral lenses – CLINEVADA Las Vegas

Scleral lenses are a special type of gas permeable contact lenses with a large diameter, designed to cover the entire corneal surface and rest on the white part of the eye. They are called scleral because their point of support is precisely on the sclera to avoid mechanical contact with the cornea. They are historically the first lenses, but only recently are they reappearing and gaining widespread use in the field of optometry. This is attributed to advancements in their design which uses new rigid materials with very high oxygen permeability and improved shapes for more eye comfort.

When are scleral lenses indicated?

Scleral lenses are used to treat a wide range of eye conditions. These include:

● High astigmatism

● advanced keratoconus

● Eye trauma

● Acute cases of foreign body sensation

● For therapeutic uses such as in trichiasis and dry eye syndrome

Scleral lenses may also be used in sports. These special contact lenses do not easily come off which makes them suitable for those who practice water sports, such as water polo and canoeing, diving and water skiing, as well as for other dynamic sports activities or for those activities that involve exposure to dusty environments. In case of use during contact sports it is advisable to use protective goggles over the lenses.

Benefits of scleral contact lenses

A major benefit of scleral lenses is the improvement of vision in those patients who have corneas with uneven surfaces. Patients with keratoconus, keratoglobus and PMD will notice a noticeable recovery of visual acuity thanks to this type of lens. Corneal transplant cases often require a contact lens after surgery to fully restore vision and this is probably one of the most suitable lenses.

These lenses also provide protection for the cornea and this is particularly suitable for patients suffering from expository keratitis or other ocular surface diseases since the fluid reservoir behind the scleral lens guarantees effective protection and hydration of the cornea. If you would like to learn more about scleral lenses in Las Vegas, please get in touch with the Contact Lens Institute of Nevada.