Scleral Contact Lenses

What Are Scleral Contact Lenses?

If you're struggling with keratoconus, irregular astigmatism, or dry eye syndrome and can't wear standard contact lenses, scleral lenses may be the best solution for you. Fortunately, Dr. Cylinda Butler of Butler Eyecare is a highly experienced optometrist who can determine if scleral contact lenses are the right choice for you. 

How Do They Work?

Scleral contact lenses are large-diameter gas-permeable lenses that vault over the cornea (the clear front surface of the eye) and rest on the sclera (the white part). This design replaces an irregular cornea with a perfectly smooth optical surface, improving vision for those suffering from conditions like keratoconus or other corneal anomalies.

Scleral lenses also promote the healing of the eye's surface. For instance, they may aid those with keratoconus in recovering from corneal transplant surgery. They are ideal for individuals with ocular surface disease, such as dry eyes or corneal ulcers.

What Are the Benefits?

Scleral lenses are the epitome of technological advancement in optometry and offer unsurpassed comfort, stability, protection, hydration, and healing for patients with various vision problems. Specifically, scleral lenses contain a liquid reservoir that continuously provides moisture to the eye, relieving symptoms of dry eyes.

Furthermore, this fluid helps prevent hypoxic damage to the cornea and repairs previous eye injuries like corneal abrasions or trauma. Such advancements in optometry provide an optometrist, like Dr. Butler, with options to prescribe contact lenses for patients who would not otherwise qualify.

How Do They Fit?

Scleral lenses come in three sizes, depending on where they rest on the eye. Corneo-scleral and semi-scleral lenses are the smallest, lying at the back of the cornea; mini-scleral lenses cover all corneal surface areas and rest on the front sclera.

Before Dr. Butler can fit scleral lenses for you, she will take a topography reading of your cornea and use this data to craft the ideal lens for your vision. After two weeks have passed, she will ask you to return for fitting of your new contacts to ensure they're the perfect fit for your eyes.

What Precautions Should I Take?

When taking out your scleral contacts, most optometrists recommend that the initial step should be to gently rub them with a preservative-free solution. This helps remove debris and microorganisms from their surface. Also, using a preservative-free solution helps prevent the buildup of deposits that can affect the lens, cause dry spots, and inhibit bacterial growth.

Contact Butler Eyecare in Lebanon, MO

Call Butler Eyecare at (417) 991-3200 to schedule your appointment with Dr. Butler so that we can determine if you are a candidate for scleral contact lenses in Lebanon, MO.