Have you ever been told you cannot wear contact lenses? 

Tired of using eye drops to treat dry eyes? 

Now may be the time to ask your doctor about scleral contact lenses. Scleral lenses are larger contact lenses than typical soft contact lenses, ranging in size from 14 mm to over 20 mm in diameter. The lenses are made from a rigid gas permeable material which allows the eye to breathe and reduces the chance of infection from protein deposits significantly. These lenses are named "scleral lenses" because they completely cover the cornea of the eye and extend into the sclera, the white part of the eye. The sclera is covered by a soft, clear tissue called the conjunctiva. The presence of the conjunctiva allows scleral contact lenses to be very comfortable because of the reduced sensation of the conjunctiva versus the sensitivity of the cornea. Due to their size, scleral lenses are more stable on the eye. 

Benefits of scleral lenses include: 

• Sharper vision when compared to glasses or soft contacts 
• Stronger durability 
• Increased comfort 
• FDA approved as a dry eye treatment 
• Easier handling 
• Less risk of complications 

Patients who have been diagnosed with keratoconus (Irregular cornea), severe dry eye, irregular astigmatism, nearsightedness or have had a corneal transplant are a few patients who may benefit from wearing scleral contact lenses. These lenses hold a fluid reservoir beneath the scleral lens that may improve comfort for wearers. This means your eye will constantly be in contact with a sterile fluid while the lens is in place, relieving you from dry, scratchy, and irritated eyes. Scleral lenses are custom-made for the wearer, so the fitting of scleral lenses demands more time and expertise which means they take more time to fit than standard soft or gas permeable lenses. The entire process of fitting scleral lenses may take several visits to determine the best lens for the patient. Because of this, scleral lenses cost higher than other contact lenses. However, your doctor can discuss the costs specific to each case upon determining that scleral lenses are right for you. Our own doctors here at Yaryan Eye Care Center have extensive experience in fitting hard to fit contact lenses. 

Call 765-377-1241 to schedule an eye exam and speak with one of our doctors about scleral lenses today. 

The video link attached below helps to give a visual aid for scleral contact lenses: 

https :  ;//www.youtube.co m/watch?v=4S6C7dUwiNg