Why Scleral Lenses Are Becoming a First-Line Option—Not Just a Last Resort

Scleral lenses are becoming more widely understood and accepted. Many patients experience immense relief and improved quality of life using scleral lenses. They are comfortable to wear and provide excellent visual clarity. This blog discusses why scleral lenses are quickly becoming a first-line option when they’ve been the last resort for so long.

What Are Scleral Lenses?

Scleral lenses are large-diameter, rigid lenses made from a gas-permeable polymer, allowing oxygen to reach the eye freely. What sets scleral lenses apart is that they rest on the sclera (the white part of the eye), not the cornea. Many patients cannot wear regular contact lenses due to issues like corneal irregularities.

Why Were Scleral Lenses a Last Resort?

This perspective was due to a lack of education and several misconceptions about scleral lenses. Scleral lenses have been used in their current form for over a decade, gradually gaining popularity as technology improved. Previously, scleral lenses were considered a fallback option when standard treatments like glasses, soft or hybrid content lenses etc, couldn’t improve a patient’s vision.

Common Scleral Lens Misconceptions

In the early days of scleral lens technology, there were reasons practitioners avoided using them. One reason was its oxygen impermeabality. However, many old misconceptions remained despite the evolution of technology and improvements in scleral lens manufacturing. What are some of these misconceptions?

Myth: Scleral Lenses Are Difficult to Fit

While generally more complex than regular contact lenses, scleral lenses have become easier to fit with incredible imaging technology. Imaging technologies like corneal topography and scleral mapping are available and precise impressions of the ocular surface make the fitting process faster and easier.

Myth: Scleral Lenses Are Expensive.

The initial cost of scleral lenses is higher than regular soft lenses; however, scleral lenses can last up to three years with proper care. In contrast, disposable lenses typically only last approximately a month, depending on the type of lenses used. Because scleral lenses last so long, they are much more cost-effective in the long run despite their higher upfront cost.

Myth: Scleral Lenses Aren’t Safe for Long-Term Use

In the early days of scleral lenses, many practitioners were wary because the long-term effects of constant use were still unknown. However, these days, we have a much better understanding of scleral lenses and how much they can help patients by providing visual clarity and comfort.

Over many years of observation, we know the benefits and drawbacks, so we can more accurately prescribe them to patients who can benefit most. Those dealing with diseases like keratoconus, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, Sjogren’s syndrome, or graft-versus-host disease can all enjoy considerable benefits from scleral lens wear.

Myth: Scleral Lenses Are Too Difficult to Care For

Scleral lenses require diligent care and maintenance, but regular soft contacts must also be cared for. Scleral lenses are designed to last much longer, so they must be carefully handled to maximize their lifespan.

Scleral lenses should be cleaned before and after every wear, stored correctly, and never worn in a swimming pool or hot tub. There is nothing about scleral lenses that makes them more challenging to care for than regular lenses.

Why Are Scleral Lenses Gaining Popularity?

Scleral lenses provide an alternative to other correction and eye disease management methods that meet the unique needs of many patients. Patients with corneal irregularities, severe dry eye, and diseases that cause vision deterioration often struggle with other options. Scleral lenses are becoming more popular as eyecare practitioners and patients learn more about these revolutionary lenses. Scleral lenses have many benefits, which include:

Large Diameter

Other contact lens options rest directly on the cornea, making them uncomfortable or ineffective for patients with corneal irregularities. Soft contact lenses do not work as intended if the ocular surface is not smooth. Due to the large surface area of scleral lenses, they extend beyond the cornea to rest on the less sensitive sclera.

Scleral lenses form a substitute ocular surface, providing clear vision and significantly reducing discomfort.

Constant Hydration

Behind the scleral lens, a reservoir filled with saline solution protects the cornea and eye’s lens. The reservoir maintains moisture in the eye, which is ideal for patients with dry eye syndrome. In addition, post-operative patients can also benefit because the moist, protected space provided by scleral lenses supports healing.

Custom Fit

Using advanced technology, your practitioner will create a detailed map or impression of your ocular surface. This information is used in the lab when your lenses are designed to ensure a precise fit that matches your eyes. Because scleral lenses are custom-made for each patient, they provide unmatched comfort and stability, making them easy to wear for extended periods.

Experience the Scleral Lens Difference

Due to the rapidly growing understanding and acceptance of scleral lenses, their benefits, and the technology needed to fit them correctly, many eyecare practitioners are turning to these lenses as a first-line option. If you want to know if you may benefit from scleral lenses, contact the Weston Contact Lens Institute to schedule your professional consultation.

Testimonial from Alberto, satisfied scleral lens patient 

I recently had the privilege of being fitted with an EyePrintPro scleral lens by Dr. Elise Kramer, and I cannot express enough how positive my experience was. From the initial consultation to the final fitting, Dr. Kramer’s expertise and dedication were truly exceptional.