Scleral Lenses

Scleral Lenses

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Contact Lenses

Scleral Lenses

A scleral lens is a special rigid contact lens that rests comfortably on the sclera (the white part of the eye surface) and domes completely over the cornea (the central clear tissue). There is a liquid reservoir filling the space between the cornea and the lens which helps restore vision by smoothing over irregularities on the cornea and providing a new optical surface for the eye to focus with.

Who are scleral lenses suitable for?

  • Keratoconus
  • Pellucid Marginal Degeneration
  • Post- Corneal graphs
  • Trauma or chemical injuries
  • High myopic or astigmatism prescriptions

Instead of the cornea being smooth, these conditions above often cause an irregular cornea. A scleral lens forms a new smooth surface for the light to enter the eye, which can dramatically improve your vision.

What to expect?

Scleral lenses are more comfortable in the eye than RGP (rigid gas permeable) lenses as they do not touch the sensitive cornea. The biggest challenge is learning to insert and remove the lenses, but our expert optometrists can guide you every step of the way. Occasionally, you may need to remove the lenses during the day to change the fluid which sits between the lens and the eye, but otherwise lenses can be worn all day, from morning to night. A special cleaning solution is used to care for the lenses daily.

This video shows you the steps involved in inserting and removing a scleral lens:

The fitting process:

There are multiple appointments involved with fitting a scleral lens, as it is more complex than a regular soft or hard contact lens:

Visit 1: Initial assessment of the eye, prescription and health

Visit 2: Scleral lens trial fitting; a series of lenses is placed on the eye to determine what custom lens is required. You will be able to feel as to what the lens feels like at this appointment and have an idea of what the vision is like

Visit 3: Contact lens teach and delivery; our optometrists will show you how to insert, remove and care for your lenses, as well as check the fit and vision in your custom made lenses

Visit 4 onwards: We review the fit and vision of the lenses on the eye and may order another set of custom made lenses if required.

Frequently asked questions:

How long do my lenses last for?
With good care and maintenance, a scleral lens should last 1-2 years. This involves daily cleaning with contact lens solutions such as Biotrue multipurpose solution, Menicare Plus multipurpose solution or AO Sept hydrogen peroxide solution. A monthly clean with a protein remover such as Progent also needs to be completed to keep the lenses free from deposits.
Why should I choose a scleral lens over a rigid gas permeable lens?
Scleral lenses are significantly more comfortable to wear than rigid gas permeable lenses, as they sit on the scleral instead of the cornea. This means that there is little to no adaptation time to get used to the feeling of the lens in the eye. Scleral lenses are also more suited to people who work in dusty or outdoor environments- as the contact lens is sealed on the eye, there is less risk of anything becoming trapped under the eye and causing irritation.
How often will I need to come in for reviews with my optometrist?
Once your lenses are fitted, we usually see you for reviews every 6 months.
Are these lenses safe to wear for my eye?
Any contact lenses comes with a small risk of infection. To minimize the risk of infection, all care and maintenance guidelines must be strictly followed- for example, washing hands before insertion and removal of lenses. We also remind all our patients; if in doubt, leave them out. This means that if your eyes aren’t in optimal condition, like are feeling itchy, irritated or sore, it is best to go without your contact lens wear for that day. We also ask you to never sleep or get water in your eyes with lenses