Key Takeaways
- Scleral lenses vault over the cornea and rest on the white of the eye, creating a fluid-filled layer for comfort.
- They can help with dry eyes, keratoconus, irregular corneas, myopia, and astigmatism.
- The fitting process takes multiple visits and costs more than standard contacts.
- Insertion and removal takes practice, and daily cleaning is part of the routine.
- An eye doctor in Parksville & Nanaimo can help you find out if scleral lenses are the right fit for your eyes.
Lenses for Different Situations
For many people, regular contact eyes cause their eyes to dry out too quickly, shift around, or are simply otherwise uncomfortable. Certain conditions like keratoconus can also make standard contacts frustrating to wear.
One common alternative to regular contacts is scleral lenses, which rest on the whites of your eyes rather than on the cornea. The shape and design of scleral lenses offer advantages for people with dry eye, keratoconus, and other conditions. However, there are some factors to consider before you commit to new lenses.
If you’re interested in scleral lenses, our team at Oceanside Optometry Clinic can help you explore your options with a contact lens fitting.
What Scleral Lenses Are & How They Work
Scleral lenses are larger than typical contact lenses. Instead of sitting directly on your cornea, they rest on the white part of your eye, called the sclera. This creates a small dome of space between the lens and your cornea. This space is filled with a saline solution when you put your lenses in, which helps protect the surface of your cornea and often makes scleral lenses more comfortable to wear.
The Benefits of Scleral Lenses
Comfort & Stability
Because scleral lenses don’t actually touch your cornea, they cause less friction and irritation compared to standard contacts. Many people who’ve struggled with regular lenses find that scleral lenses make a noticeable difference in how their eyes feel after a full day of wear.
The larger size of scleral lenses also makes them less likely to shift or pop out during everyday activities. If you’ve ever lost a contact lens mid-blink, you’ll appreciate that kind of stability.
Dry Eye Relief
The reservoir of saline solution between a scleral lens and your cornea acts like a constant source of moisture, helping to hydrate your eyes.
This makes scleral lenses a popular option for people who deal with chronic dry eye. If you’ve tried regular contacts before and found them impossible to wear for more than a few hours, scleral lenses may be worth exploring as part of dry eye therapy.
Who They Help
Scleral lenses are particularly helpful for people with keratoconus, a condition where the cornea gradually thins and changes shape. In some cases, they’re also useful
They’re also a good fit for irregular corneas that regular lenses can’t sit on properly.
Beyond that, scleral lenses can correct myopia, astigmatism, and other common vision needs. For some people, they provide clearer, more comfortable vision than any other option they’ve tried.
The Downsides to Keep in Mind
Cost & the Fitting Process
Scleral lenses cost more upfront than standard contact lenses. The custom fitting process involves detailed measurements and typically takes more than one appointment to get right. That added time and precision is part of why the price is higher.
If cost is a concern, it’s worth asking your eye doctor about what’s included in the fitting fee and whether any follow-up visits are covered. Some people find the long-term comfort of scleral lenses to be worth the investment, but it’s good to go in with realistic expectations.
The Learning Curve
Putting in and taking out scleral lenses is a different experience than handling soft contacts. Because they’re larger and filled with saline, the process takes some practice before it starts to feel natural. Most people get the hang of it, but it can take a few weeks.
Daily cleaning and careful maintenance are also part of the scleral lens routine. You’ll need to follow your eye doctor’s instructions closely to keep the lenses in good shape and your eyes healthy. The American Academy of Ophthalmology’s contact lens care guide is a helpful reference for building good cleaning habits from the start.
Scleral Lenses vs. Glasses & Regular Contacts
For people with irregular corneas or conditions like keratoconus, scleral lenses can provide sharper clarity than glasses. This is because glasses sit away from the eye and can’t fully compensate for certain corneal irregularities the way a scleral lens can.
That said, scleral lenses aren’t a replacement for glasses in every situation. If you’re exploring your glasses options, our team can help you find the right frames and lenses to pair with your contact lens routine.
How to Know If Scleral Lenses Are Right for You
Not every vision problem calls for scleral lenses. They tend to be most helpful for people with specific conditions, persistent dry eye, or a history of contact lens discomfort. A thorough eye exam is the best starting point to figure out what your eyes actually need.
An eye doctor in Parksville & Nanaimo can take detailed measurements of your eye shape and talk through your options with you. The goal is to find the lens type that fits your eyes and your lifestyle, not just to try something new for the sake of it. You can learn more about what a full exam covers on our adult eye exams page before you book.
At Oceanside Optometry Clinic, our team takes the time to assess your eyes carefully and walk you through every option available to you. If you’re curious about scleral lenses or just want to explore what’s out there, reach out to book an appointment today.
