Scleral lenses or scleral contact lenses are contact lenses that support ocular surface health and create a perfect refractive surface. What does this mean for a patient? Patients who experience dryness, irritation, fluctuating vision, and frustration with soft contact lenses may experience improvement in both vision and comfort by switching to scleral contact lenses. Scleral contact lenses are made of materials extremely permeable to oxygen (more so than soft lenses), which allows the cornea to “breathe” better than some soft lenses allow. This promotes healing and comfort while improving ocular surface health.
Scleral contact lenses work well for patients with high refractive error (more than -5 or +5 in your contact lenses), irregular astigmatism (keratoconus, pellucid marginal degeneration, trauma, or following corneal transplantation), and ocular surface disease (Sjogren syndrome, Steven-Johnson syndrome, Graft-vs-Host disease, blepharitis, aqueous deficient dry eye, and others).
Scleral contact lenses are available with multifocal options with help to minimize reliance on reading glasses for patients over the age of 45.
Schedule your scleral contact lens evaluation with Dr. P at James Lewis MD Ophthalmology.
He can be reached at pmcmanamon@jameslewismd.com or at 215-886-9090 during regular business hours for any questions.