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Core Insights:
- 3D eye-mapping customizes scleral lenses to each patient’s eye shape.
- Scleral lenses vault over the irregular cornea and rest on the sclera for clearer, more comfortable vision.
- Advanced scans show corneal shape and thickness to guide precise fittings.
- The fluid reservoir keeps the cornea hydrated and protects the surface.
- Because keratoconus can progress over time, regular imaging and follow-up visits help monitor changes and ensure the lenses continue to provide optimal vision and fit.
Advances in diagnostic imaging have transformed the way specialty contact lenses are designed for patients with keratoconus. At Weston Contact Lens Institute, we use advanced 3D eye-mapping technology to capture the unique contours of each patient's cornea and sclera, allowing for a highly customized fitting process.
Scleral lenses are often an excellent option for keratoconus because they vault over the irregular corneal surface and create a smooth optical surface for vision. By incorporating detailed measurements of the eye into the design process, we can optimize lens fit, comfort, stability, and visual quality, helping patients achieve clearer vision and a better overall wearing experience.
Are Scleral Lenses a Good Option for Keratoconus?
As keratoconus develops, the cornea gradually thins and bulges outward into a cone-like shape, causing light to focus irregularly and resulting in blurred or distorted vision.
While glasses and soft contact lenses may work well in the early stages, they often become less effective as the cornea becomes increasingly irregular. Scleral lenses vault over the cornea rather than conforming to its shape, creating a smooth optical surface that can provide clearer, more stable vision. Their fluid-filled reservoir also helps improve comfort and protect the ocular surface throughout the day.
Scleral lenses are large-diameter contact lenses that rest on the sclera, or white part of the eye, rather than on the cornea. Using advanced ocular mapping technology, we capture detailed measurements of the cornea and sclera to guide the design of highly customized lenses that vault completely over the corneal surface.
Before insertion, the lenses are filled with sterile saline solution, creating a fluid reservoir between the lens and the cornea. This reservoir continuously bathes the eye in moisture while also masking the irregularities of the corneal surface. By creating a smooth optical surface, scleral lenses can provide clearer, more stable vision while enhancing comfort throughout the day.
How Does Ocular Surface Mapping Support Scleral Lens Customization?
Using advanced 3D ocular mapping technology, we capture the unique contours of both the cornea and sclera to create a comprehensive model of your eye. These detailed measurements help guide the design of highly customized scleral lenses that vault over the irregular cornea and align with the sclera, promoting a more precise fit, improved comfort, and optimal visual quality.
What Does the Fluid Reservoir in Scleral Lenses Do?
One of the unique advantages of scleral lenses is the fluid reservoir that sits between the lens and the cornea. This reservoir continuously bathes the ocular surface in saline, helping to maintain hydration, improve comfort, and protect the cornea from the friction of blinking.
For patients with dry eye disease, meibomian gland dysfunction, or other ocular surface conditions, this constant layer of moisture can provide significant relief from symptoms such as dryness, irritation, and fluctuating vision. In addition to enhancing comfort, scleral lenses are made from highly oxygen-permeable materials that allow ample oxygen to reach the cornea, supporting safe, healthy wear throughout the day.
Should Keratoconus Patients Be Monitored By Eye Care Professionals?
Keratoconus is a progressive condition, which is why regular monitoring remains important even after a patient has been successfully fitted with scleral lenses. Advanced imaging and ocular mapping allow us to evaluate changes in corneal shape and monitor the stability of the condition over time.
As the cornea changes, adjustments to the lens design may occasionally be needed to maintain optimal comfort, fit, and visual performance. Detailed measurements help us determine whether modifications to the lens parameters are necessary and ensure that the lenses continue to meet your visual needs.
Patients who have undergone corneal cross-linking should continue to have regular follow-up examinations, as the shape of the cornea may continue to evolve after treatment. Routine evaluations allow us to monitor corneal health, assess lens performance, and address any changes in vision or comfort. If you notice increasing lens awareness, reduced comfort, or changes in your vision, you should schedule an evaluation promptly.
What Does the Scleral Lens Fitting Process Entail?
Your first visit to Weston Contact Lens Institute begins with a comprehensive evaluation of your eye health and a detailed assessment of your keratoconus. Using advanced diagnostic imaging and 3D ocular mapping technology, we capture precise measurements of the cornea and sclera to better understand the unique shape of your eyes and the severity of the condition.
Based on these findings, we select a diagnostic scleral lens and evaluate its fit, comfort, vault, edge alignment, and visual performance. We then use the information gathered during the examination, along with advanced imaging data, to design a customized scleral lens tailored to your individual needs.
Because every eye is different, achieving an optimal fit may require refinements to the lens design. Our goal is to create a lens that provides excellent vision, long-term comfort, and a healthy relationship with the ocular surface. Follow-up visits allow us to assess lens performance, monitor your keratoconus, and make any necessary adjustments over time.
If you have been struggling with distorted vision due to keratoconus, scleral lenses may provide the clarity and comfort you have been looking for. At Weston Contact Lens Institute, we specialize in custom scleral lens design and the management of complex corneal conditions. Our goal is to help patients achieve their best possible vision while maintaining long-term ocular health and comfort. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn whether scleral lenses are right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Scleral Lenses Comfortable?
Despite being larger in diameter and made from a rigid gas-permeable material, scleral lenses are remarkably comfortable for most patients after a brief adaptation period. Unlike traditional contact lenses, scleral lenses rest entirely on the sclera, the white part of the eye, which is significantly less sensitive than the cornea. Because the lens vaults completely over the cornea without touching it, many patients find scleral lenses more comfortable than they anticipated.
In addition, the fluid reservoir maintained beneath the lens continuously bathes the surface of the eye in preservative-free saline. This liquid cushion helps keep the eye hydrated, protects the cornea from mechanical irritation, and provides relief for patients suffering from dry eye disease or ocular surface disorders.
Do Scleral Lenses Help With Dry Eye?
Yes! Scleral lenses are among the most effective options for dry eye because their fluid reservoir keeps the eye moist throughout the day and prevents tear evaporation. The large lenses also shield the eye from wind, dust, allergens, and mechanical friction from blinking that aggravate dry eye symptoms. Patients with chronic meibomian gland dysfunction and autoimmune conditions that cause dry eye find significant relief with scleral lenses.
