Benefits of Scleral Lenses for Dry Eye and Keratoconus

For patients struggling with chronic dry eye or complex corneal conditions like keratoconus, everyday vision can be uncomfortable, blurry, or even painful. Traditional glasses or standard contact lenses may not provide adequate relief or visual clarity. At Eye & Health, scleral lenses are a powerful option for restoring visual quality and protecting long-term eye health for patients with challenging eye conditions.

What Are Scleral Lenses?

Scleral lenses are large-diameter, rigid gas-permeable contact lenses designed to rest on the sclera (the white part of the eye) rather than directly on the cornea. This design allows the lens to vault over the corneal surface, creating a fluid-filled reservoir between the lens and the eye. This unique structure makes scleral lenses especially beneficial for individuals with irregular corneas, severe dry eye, or ocular surface disease.

How Scleral Lenses Help Dry Eye Disease

Dry eye occurs when the eyes do not produce enough tears or when tears evaporate too quickly. Symptoms often include burning, irritation, redness, fluctuating vision, and light sensitivity. For patients with moderate to severe dry eye, scleral lenses can be life-changing.

• Continuous Hydration: The fluid reservoir beneath a scleral lens keeps the cornea constantly bathed in sterile saline throughout the day. This sustained hydration helps soothe irritation, reduce inflammation, and protect the ocular surface from environmental stressors.

• Reduced Tear Evaporation: Because scleral lenses form a protective seal over the eye, they minimize tear evaporation caused by wind, air conditioning, heating, or prolonged screen use.

• Improved Comfort for Severe Cases: Patients with dry eye related to conditions such as meibomian gland dysfunction, blepharitis, autoimmune disease, or post-surgical dryness often find that scleral lenses provide comfort when other treatments fall short.

Benefits of Scleral Lenses for Keratoconus

Keratoconus is a progressive condition in which the cornea thins and bulges into a cone-like shape, causing distorted and blurry vision. Glasses and soft contact lenses often cannot correct the irregular optics of the cornea.

• Clear, Stable Vision: Scleral lenses vault over the irregular corneal shape, creating a smooth optical surface that dramatically improves visual clarity. Many patients achieve sharper, more stable vision compared to traditional contact lenses.

• Enhanced Comfort Compared to Smaller Rigid Lenses: Because scleral lenses rest on the less sensitive sclera rather than the cornea, they are often more comfortable than smaller rigid gas-permeable lenses, especially for long-term wear.

• Protection for Fragile Corneas: By minimizing direct contact with the cornea, scleral lenses help protect fragile corneal tissue and reduce irritation in patients with advanced keratoconus or corneal scarring.

Additional Advantages of Scleral Lenses

Beyond dry eye and keratoconus, scleral lenses offer benefits for a range of ocular conditions:

• Improved vision for irregular corneas and post-surgical eyes

• Reduced light sensitivity

• Increased lens stability with minimal movement

• Long daily wear time with proper care and fitting

Because scleral lenses are custom-designed, they are tailored to each patient’s unique eye shape, ensuring optimal comfort, vision, and eye health.

The Importance of a Proper Scleral Lens Fitting

Scleral lenses require advanced measurements, specialized imaging, and careful customization. A comprehensive contact lens evaluation is essential to ensure the lenses fit correctly, provide adequate oxygen to the eye, and support long-term ocular health. Follow-up visits are equally important, as they allow adjustments to lens design and ensure that the eyes remain healthy and comfortable over time.

Take the Next Step at Eye & Health

Scleral lenses offer a transformative solution for patients with dry eye disease and keratoconus by delivering superior comfort, continuous hydration, and exceptional visual clarity. For individuals who have struggled with traditional eyewear or contact lenses, scleral lenses can significantly improve daily comfort and quality of life.

If dry eye or keratoconus is affecting your comfort or vision, schedule a contact lens exam at Eye & Health to find out if scleral lenses are right for you. Visit our office in New York, New York, or call (212) 228-0950 to book an appointment today.