What are Scleral Lenses?
Serving the Brampton, Ontario Community
Are you one of the 5 patient types that would likely benefit from a scleral lens?
Candidates Include Patients with:
- Allergies
- High or complicated prescriptions that have been told they can’t wear contact lenses.
- Unsuccessful history with other lenses either due to poor comfort or poor vision.
- Keratoconus or any type of corneal degeneration or dystrophy, transplants, scarring or trauma or post-LASIK complications.
- Dry eyes or high sensitivity to light or Steve Johnson Syndrome.
What are the 5 main benefits of a scleral lens vs. a regular lens?
- Easier to insert and remove.
- Improved, consistent quality of vision all day long.
- Better comfort. Other lenses may dry out and get uncomfortable.
- Longer lasting. With proper maintenance, they can last over a year.
What are three key differences in the scleral lens technology?
- The lens doesn’t touch the cornea but rests on the sclera or the white part of the eye to increase comfort.
- Microscopic adjustments to the lenses can be made with new advanced manufacturing technology to customize the fit of each lens to each patient’s unique needs.
- Can add highly customized, unique prescriptions onto each lens to provide even better vision.
Special Instances That Can Benefit from Scleral Lenses
Legal Blindness
It is not uncommon for someone who is legally blind from a corneal irregularity to regain great vision. This lens design provides a protective cushion of saline that can reduce pain and photosensitivity caused by other lens designs.
Sports
Scleral lenses are great for athletes who require excellent acuity and a stable lens fit while they are physically active.
They are also useful in situations where other contact lens types are not effective or appropriate, including dusty environments and contact sports.
Protective & Therapeutic
Scleral lenses can provide hydration to the cornea in severe cases of dry eye and ocular pemphigoid. They can also help in keeping the eye hydrated in conditions where the eyelids do not close properly such as facial nerve palsy, trauma, or ptosis.
Other reasons a person may need scleral lenses is if he or she suffers from dry eye, keratoconus, post LASIK, or high astigmatism.
Visit Brampton Family Eyecare to get the lenses right for you.
Custom Fit At Brampton Family Eye Care
Our Brampton optometrist customizes the lenses to the exact specifications of each individual wearer.
The entire process may take several visits in order to optimize the design and ensure the process of application and removal is comfortable and efficient. For these reasons professional fees associated with fitting sclera lenses and lens replacement costs are higher than other contact lenses. Dr. Basra is happy to discuss your specific costs based on your individual needs.
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Scleral lenses are rigid contact lenses for hard-to-fit patients and are ideal for people with a vision prescription that exceeds the standard parameters of soft contacts.
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Scleral lenses are specialized contact lenses that are often prescribed for patients with keratoconus or extremely sensitive eyes. After a short training and practice in caring for your scleral lenses, you’ll find it easy!
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An irregular cornea generally causes problems or limitations with vision, and can be more complicated to correct with standard eyeglasses or contact lenses. I