From Dry Eyes to Keratoconus: How Scleral Lenses Can Make a Difference

At Global Vision Rehabilitation Center, we understand the challenges that come with managing complex eye conditions like dry eyes and keratoconus. These issues can significantly impact your quality of life, making it difficult to see clearly or comfortably wear traditional contact lenses. That’s why we offer scleral lenses, a revolutionary solution designed to provide comfort and clear vision, even for those with the most challenging eye conditions.

Key Takeaways

Understanding Scleral Lenses

Scleral lenses are a type of large-diameter contact lens that rests on the sclera, or the white part of the eye, rather than directly on the cornea. This design creates a space between the lens and the cornea, which is filled with a saline solution. This tear-filled vault not only keeps the eye hydrated but also provides a smooth optical surface, which is essential for clear vision, especially in patients with irregular corneas caused by conditions like keratoconus.

Scleral lenses are particularly beneficial for individuals who suffer from severe dry eye syndrome, as the saline solution in the vault continuously bathes the cornea, providing constant hydration and reducing discomfort. Additionally, the lenses protect the cornea from external irritants, making them a comfortable option for extended wear.

Patients with other complex corneal conditions, such as corneal dystrophy and corneal ectasia, can also benefit from the unique properties of scleral lenses. These lenses help create a protective environment that promotes healing and provides clear vision, even when the cornea has been damaged or is irregularly shaped.

How Scleral Lenses Help with Dry Eyes

Dry eye syndrome can be a debilitating condition, causing irritation, redness, and blurred vision. Traditional contact lenses can exacerbate these symptoms by depriving the cornea of moisture. However, scleral lenses are different. Their unique design allows them to vault over the cornea, trapping a reservoir of saline solution between the lens and the eye. This continuous hydration helps to alleviate the symptoms of dry eyes, providing relief from discomfort and improving overall eye health.

For patients dealing with meibomian gland dysfunction, which is a common cause of dry eye syndrome, scleral lenses can offer significant relief. The tear-filled vault created by the lenses helps maintain a stable tear film, reducing the symptoms associated with this condition and providing long-lasting comfort.

At Global Vision Rehabilitation Center, we have seen firsthand how scleral lenses can transform the lives of patients suffering from dry eye syndrome. By keeping the eye consistently hydrated, these lenses reduce the need for frequent eye drops and allow patients to enjoy clear, comfortable vision throughout the day.

The Role of Scleral Lenses in Managing Keratoconus

Keratoconus is a progressive eye condition where the cornea thins and begins to bulge into a cone-like shape, leading to distorted vision. For patients with keratoconus, finding a contact lens that fits properly and provides clear vision can be challenging. However, scleral lenses are specifically designed to address this issue.

Because scleral lenses rest on the sclera rather than the cornea, they create a smooth optical surface over the irregularly shaped cornea, which corrects the visual distortions caused by keratoconus. This not only improves vision but also provides a more stable and comfortable fit compared to traditional contact lenses.

Scleral lenses also offer the benefit of protecting the cornea from further damage. Since they do not touch the cornea directly, they reduce the risk of abrasion and discomfort that can occur with standard contact lenses, making them an ideal choice for patients with advanced keratoconus.

Why Choose Scleral Lenses?

Scleral lenses offer several advantages over traditional contact lenses, particularly for individuals with complex eye conditions like dry eyes and keratoconus. These benefits include:

• Custom Fit: Scleral lenses are custom-fitted to the unique shape of each patient’s eye, ensuring a secure and comfortable fit.
• Improved Comfort: The tear-filled vault created by scleral lenses provides continuous hydration to the eye, reducing dryness and irritation.
• Enhanced Vision: By creating a smooth optical surface, scleral lenses correct visual distortions caused by irregular corneas, leading to clearer vision.
• Long-Lasting Wear: Scleral lenses are designed for extended wear, making them ideal for individuals who need all-day comfort.

At Global Vision Rehabilitation Center, we utilize the WaveDyn Vision Analyzer to precisely measure and map the surface of your eye, ensuring that your scleral lenses are perfectly tailored to your needs. This advanced technology allows us to achieve a level of accuracy and customization that is unmatched, providing you with the best possible vision correction.

In addition to the WaveDyn Vision Analyzer, we also leverage other state-of-the-art diagnostic tools such as the Visante Optical Coherence Tomography and Corneal Refractive Therapy to further enhance the accuracy and effectiveness of our scleral lens fittings.

Enhanced Comfort and Hydration

One of the standout features of scleral lenses is their ability to provide continuous hydration to the eye. This is especially beneficial for patients with severe dry eye syndrome, who often struggle to find relief with traditional contact lenses or eye drops. The saline solution in the vault of the scleral lens mimics the natural tears of the eye, keeping the cornea hydrated and reducing the symptoms of dryness and irritation.

Patients who switch to scleral lenses often report a significant improvement in comfort, even after wearing the lenses for extended periods. This makes scleral lenses an excellent choice for individuals who spend long hours in front of a computer, in air-conditioned environments, or in other situations where dry eye symptoms can be exacerbated.

For patients dealing with radial keratotomy complications or other post-surgical issues, scleral lenses can offer a non-invasive solution that improves both vision and comfort. These lenses provide a stable and protective environment for the cornea, helping to manage complications and enhance visual outcomes after surgery.

Long-Lasting Vision Improvement

For individuals with keratoconus, the stability and clarity provided by scleral lenses can be life-changing. Unlike traditional lenses that may shift or cause discomfort, scleral lenses remain securely in place, providing consistent vision correction throughout the day. This stability is particularly important for patients with advanced keratoconus, where even slight movements of the lens can cause significant visual distortions.

At Global Vision Rehabilitation Center, we understand that every patient’s needs are unique. That’s why we take the time to carefully assess each patient’s eye condition and recommend the most appropriate lens design. With the help of the WaveDyn Vision Analyzer, we can ensure that your scleral lenses are perfectly matched to your eye shape and condition, providing you with the best possible visual outcome.

Scleral Lenses for Post-Surgical Vision

Another significant application of scleral lenses is in managing post-surgical vision. Patients who have undergone procedures such as LASIK or corneal transplants may experience complications or changes in corneal shape that traditional contact lenses cannot correct. Scleral lenses, with their ability to create a smooth optical surface and provide hydration, can help restore clear vision and comfort after surgery.

In cases where patients experience post-surgical vision loss or complications like corneal ectasia, scleral lenses can offer a non-surgical solution that improves vision and protects the cornea. By working closely with our patients and utilizing advanced diagnostic tools like the Cirrus Optical Coherence Tomographer, we are able to design scleral lenses that address these complex issues effectively.

Addressing Other Corneal Irregularities

Scleral lenses are not only beneficial for keratoconus and post-surgical complications but are also highly effective in managing other corneal irregularities such as corneal dystrophy and corneal ectasia. These conditions can cause significant vision impairment, making it difficult to perform daily activities.

At Global Vision Rehabilitation Center, we use advanced diagnostic tools like Computerized Corneal Topography to map the corneal surface in detail. This allows us to design scleral lenses that correct vision by providing a stable and smooth refractive surface, significantly improving visual acuity and comfort for patients with these challenging conditions.

Specialized Scleral Lenses for Complex Cases

In some cases, patients may require specialized scleral lenses due to the complexity of their condition. For instance, individuals with severe dry eye or extreme corneal irregularities may benefit from Wavefront Scleral Lenses. These lenses are designed using wavefront technology to address higher-order aberrations that traditional lenses cannot correct. The Wavefront Aberrometer at Global Vision Rehabilitation Center allows us to measure and correct these aberrations, providing patients with the clearest vision possible.

We also offer customized options such as EyePrint Pro. This unique approach involves creating a mold of the patient’s eye to design a lens that fits perfectly over every contour of the cornea and sclera. This level of customization ensures that even the most complex cases can be managed effectively with scleral lenses, providing relief and improved vision for our patients.

For patients with glaucoma or other conditions affecting the optic nerve, specialized scleral lenses can be part of a broader treatment plan that includes advanced diagnostic tools like Specular Microscopy and Visual Field Analysis. These tools help us monitor the health of the eye and ensure that the scleral lenses are contributing positively to the overall management of the condition.

Myopia Management with Scleral Lenses

In addition to treating corneal irregularities and dry eyes, scleral lenses can also play a role in myopia management. Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a common condition that can progress rapidly, especially in younger patients. By using scleral lenses in conjunction with other treatments like Corneal Refractive Therapy and MiSight 1-Day Contact Lenses, we can help slow the progression of myopia and improve long-term visual outcomes.

Scleral lenses offer the advantage of providing clear, stable vision without the risk of the lenses shifting or causing discomfort, making them an excellent option for patients who need consistent vision correction throughout the day.

Schedule Your Consultation Today

If you’re struggling with dry eyes, keratoconus, or other corneal irregularities, scleral lenses may be the solution you’ve been looking for. At Global Vision Rehabilitation Center, we are dedicated to helping you achieve clear, comfortable vision with the latest advancements in eye care technology.

Contact us today to schedule your consultation and learn more about how scleral lenses can make a difference in your vision and overall quality of life.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are scleral lenses used for?
Scleral lenses are used to correct vision in patients with irregular corneas, such as those with keratoconus, and to provide relief from dry eye syndrome by creating a tear-filled vault over the cornea.

How do scleral lenses help with dry eyes?
Scleral lenses keep the cornea hydrated by trapping a reservoir of saline solution between the lens and the eye, which helps to alleviate dryness and discomfort.

Can scleral lenses improve vision for keratoconus patients?
Yes, scleral lenses create a smooth optical surface over the irregularly shaped cornea, correcting visual distortions and providing clearer vision for patients with keratoconus.

Are scleral lenses comfortable to wear?
Yes, scleral lenses are designed to be comfortable for extended wear. The tear-filled vault and custom fit reduce irritation and provide a stable, comfortable experience.

How are scleral lenses fitted?
Scleral lenses are custom-fitted using advanced diagnostic tools like the WaveDyn Vision Analyzer, which maps the surface of the eye to ensure a perfect fit.

Can scleral lenses help with post-surgical vision loss?
Yes, scleral lenses are effective in managing post-surgical complications by providing a smooth refractive surface and improving vision after procedures like LASIK or corneal transplants.