Scleral lenses are a type of customized contact lens for people who can’t wear standard contact lenses because their eyes are hard-to-fit.
Unlike traditional contact lenses that sit on the cornea, scleral lenses are designed to vault over the cornea and rest on the white part of the eye, known as the sclera. This makes it possible for people with keratoconus and corneal aberrations to wear contacts.
Call us at Fox Chase Family Eye Care in Philadelphia to schedule a scleral lens consultation.
Who Are Scleral Lenses For?
One of the main benefits of scleral lenses is that they provide a larger and more stable surface area for the lens to rest on. This makes the lenses more comfortable, and lowers the risk that they’ll move around the eye or get dislodged. This is especially important for people with irregular corneas or conditions such as keratoconus, where the cornea becomes thin and begins to bulge.
In addition to their benefits for people with specific vision problems, scleral lenses also provide sharper, clearer vision. Because they sit further away from the cornea, they can correct a broader range of vision problems, including high levels of nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
Are Scleral Lenses Comfortable?
Yes! While it’s true that it takes some practice to learn how to insert and remove the lenses, many patients prefer them to traditional contact lenses.
And while it's true that scleral lenses can be more expensive than traditional contact lenses, it's essential to consider the long-term benefits they provide, including improved comfort, reduced risk of eye damage, and sharper, clearer vision. Sclerals also last longer than traditional lenses, with the proper maintenance.
Contact us today at Fox Chase Family Eye Care in Philadelphia to schedule an appointment and to see if scleral lenses are right for you.
Our practice serves patients from Philadelphia, Jenkintown, Cheltenham, and Fox Chase, Pennsylvania and surrounding communities.