Understanding Wear Schedules and Eye Health If You Wear Scleral Lenses All Day

Understanding Wear Schedules and Eye Health If You Wear Scleral Lenses All Day

Scleral lenses offer a specialized design that ensures comfort and protection for those with irregular corneas, severe dry eye, or complex ocular surface conditions. They are popular with patients seeking crystal-clear, comfortable vision correction. Let’s discuss whether all-day scleral lens wear is advisable, and what you need to know about maintenance.

What Are Scleral Lenses?

Scleral lenses are large, rigid lenses made of a gas-permeable polymer. Due to their larger diameter, these lenses rest on the white of the eye (the sclera) instead of the cornea like traditional soft lenses. Scleral lenses have a fluid reservoir between the lens and the cornea, which is filled with saline. These lenses provide hydration and clear vision for patients with irregular corneas or ocular surface disease.Scleral lenses provide improved comfort and visual clarity to patients with conditions that affect the surface of the eye, such as severe dry eye, keratoconus, and post-surgical complications. Using advanced digital imaging or impressions of the eye, we create a detailed map or impression of your eye to develop lenses that precisely fit your unique eye shape. A precise fit is key to comfortably wearing scleral lenses and having stable vision all day.

Can You Adapt to All-Day Scleral Lens Wear?

Scleral lenses are designed to make extended wear comfortable, yet most patients need time to adapt. During the initial fitting period, you will be guided through insertion, removal, hygiene, and recommended wear timelines. Depending on your unique situation, we typically suggest starting with 4–6 hours of wear, then gradually increasing your wear time by 1-2 hours daily.A phased adaptation period gives the eyes time to adjust to the lenses. Patients who experience persistent redness, pain, or itching should schedule a follow-up appointment to verify that the fit is correct. We may extend the adaptation period for patients with more complex conditions to minimize irritation and ensure optimal comfort for long-term wear.

Why Are Saline and Hygiene So Important?

You will receive in-depth training about maintaining eye health with scleral lenses during the fitting process. It is critical to adhere to a strict hygiene routine to protect your eyes and prevent premature lens degradation. One of the first and most important things you must remember is to avoid tap water, which carries micro-organisms that can cause infections.You must use scleral-lens-specific cleaning products daily to free your lenses from protein buildup and debris. In addition, you must only use a preservative-free, sterile saline solution to fill your lenses. Any other product can lead to serious infections and ocular surface damage, exacerbating some conditions or interfering with healing.

What Do You Need to Be Prepared for All-Day Scleral Lens Wear?

Scleral lenses are an excellent option for challenging environments where stable and reliable vision is critical. However, you must be prepared to care for your lenses properly even in difficult conditions. Keeping your lenses in a sterile, moist environment when you are not wearing them is essential. It’s advisable that you have a leak-proof case for storage and disinfection.Clean your lenses often and wear protective goggles whenever possible if you are in dusty or sandy areas. If you’re always on the go, it can be beneficial to keep a portable scleral lens kit with you. Find a watertight and dust-proof container where you can store your lens case, extra saline solution, your lens removal tool, a small mirror, and a pair of backup glasses. To prevent contamination, always wash your hands thoroughly or use an alcohol-based sanitizer.

How Do You Care for Scleral Lenses So They Last for a Long Time?

Your scleral lenses will require careful maintenance and regular checkups. Over time, several factors can cause changes to your ocular surface and eye shape. Even small changes can affect the fit of your lenses, so it’s important to schedule bi-annual follow-up appointments so we can continue to monitor your eye health and lens condition.Another reason we recommend frequent checks is that microscopic scratches can affect your eye comfort and vision clarity. These follow-ups are even more vital for post-surgical and post-injury patients to ensure the cornea heals optimally. Eyes are incredibly fragile and sensitive, so proper care and attention are essential for long-term optical health.

Start Your Journey to Successful All-Day Scleral Lens Wear

At Weston Contact Lens Institute, our mission is to provide solutions that restore the vision and comfort of all our patients. We offer treatment and management options for various ocular diseases, including dry eye, myopia, and keratoconus. Our custom scleral lenses, advanced mapping technology, and hands-on care make all-day lens wear comfortable and practical.Contact Weston Contact Lens Institute to schedule an appointment with our highly qualified team. Scleral lenses may be ideal if you’re struggling with an eye condition or have difficulty with traditional contact lenses. Together, we will find a vision correction solution that suits your needs and lifestyle.