Scleral Lenses for Astigmatism

Scleral lenses are a great nonsurgical solution that provides exceptional vision correction in patients with astigmatism, whether by birth, due to post-refractive surgery, or other corneal procedures. Astigmatism is a refractive error caused by irregular corneal curvature, resulting in blurred and distorted vision. Scleral lenses allow astigmatic patients to experience improved visual acuity and comfort while keeping eyes hydrated all day.

If you have been told that your astigmatism is too severe to wear contacts, ask Dr. Karen Love about scleral contact lenses. At the Escondido Premier Eyecare's Scleral Contact Lens Center in Escondido, we work hard to give each patient a superior contact lens fit and know that these lenses can truly make a difference in our patients’ lives.

What is Astigmatism

Astigmatism is a common type of refractive error caused by an irregularly shaped cornea. The abnormal cornea causes light to enter unequally onto the retina, which results in blurred or distorted vision, eye strain, headaches, squinting and eye irritation. People are either born with this condition or can develop it later in life.

This condition typically occurs with myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness) and can be easily diagnosed using a simple eye exam.

Astigmatism falls into three categories:

• Myopic (nearsighted) astigmatism: For the myopic, light rays focus in front of the retina, leading objects in the distance to appear blurred. Myopic people who have astigmatism experience further blurring and vision distortion due to the refractive error caused by mismatched curvatures of the cornea or lens.
• Hyperopic (farsighted) astigmatism: For the farsighted, light focuses beyond the retina. Individuals with hyperopia and astigmatism experience blurred and distorted vision and have difficulty focusing on objects that are up close.
• Mixed astigmatism: In people with mixed astigmatism, one curvature of the cornea or lens focuses light to the front of the retina while the other focuses light to the back of the retina.

Astigmatism falls into the regular or irregular camp:

Most cases of astigmatism are regular, meaning that the front surface of the eye is oval-shaped. Irregular astigmatism is often caused by scarring of the cornea, keratoconus or from certain types of eye surgeries.

Can People With Astigmatism Wear Contact Lenses?

In cases of moderate to severe astigmatism, sometimes the distortion is too severe to be compensated for properly by soft contact lenses, which simply conform to the irregular shape of the cornea. Scleral lenses, on the other hand, sit on the sclera – not the cornea. They are rigid and maintain their shape regardless of the corneal dimensions. This allows the eye to properly focus light and thus ensures the sharp vision and exceptional comfort. The liquid reservoir that gets trapped underneath the scleral lens masks corneal astigmatism and ensures a stable fit.

What are Scleral Lenses?

Scleral lenses get their name from the way they fit on the eye. The sclera is the white part of the eye, and these lenses rest on the sclera while the lens itself vaults over the cornea.

Scleral lenses have become an important therapeutic strategy in the visual rehabilitation of patients with irregular corneas, such as astigmatism. The liquid reservoir between the lens and the cornea neutralizes astigmatism and provides a continuous moist environment that protects the cornea from exposure to air and friction from blinking.

Scleral lenses offer better comfort, breathability and improved visual acuity due to their rigid optical surface and a shape designed specifically for each patient’s eye. We have found that for our patients with astigmatism, scleral lenses have proven to be the best solution in providing sharp and comfortable vision all day long.

Are Scleral Lenses for Astigmatism Expensive?

Scleral lenses are custom-fit to each eye, and though the fees for fitting scleral and the cost of the lenses are higher than traditional lenses, their life span and benefits offset the costs.

Coverage rates and restrictions vary among providers, and if considered a medical necessity, many insurance companies will cover the cost of scleral lenses. That said, every country and state has its own restrictions and regulations. Consult with our eye care team at the Escondido Premier Eyecare's Scleral Contact Lens Center to discuss your specific payment options and cost of scleral lenses.

Specialized optometrists, such as Dr. Karen Love, are trained in fitting scleral lenses for excellent, effective vision correction, and help patients with astigmatism and other corneal irregularities enjoy great vision and comfort with specialty lenses.

TESTIMONIAL:

“ I went to the Escondido Premier Eyecare's Scleral Contact Lens Center for my astigmatism, and I’m so grateful to the staff and doctors for their thorough care! They meticulously fitted me for scleral lenses, and now I can not only see well, but I tend to forget I’m wearing lenses. They’re so very comfortable! “

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Scleral Lenses For Keratoconus And Other Eye Conditions

The cornea, which is the clear tissue on the eye’s outermost surface (covering the pupil and the iris), bends and focuses light going into the eyes. However, for those with irregularly-shaped corneas, the light entering the eye is not properly focused — which results in distorted vision.

Thankfully, scleral lenses offer excellent visual acuity and comfort for those with corneal irregularities, due to their large shape, unique features and customized fit.

Scleral Lenses for Keratoconus

Keratoconus (keh-rah-toe-cone-us) is an eye disorder in which the round dome-shaped cornea progressively thins, causing a cone-like bulge to develop.

Because patients with keratoconus have irregular, cone-shaped corneas, glasses cannot be used to properly correct vision. The ideal solution, therefore, are scleral contact lenses. They sit on the sclera without touching the cornea, while providing sharpness, clarity and comfort.

Scleral Lenses for Severe Dry Eye

People suffering from severe dry eye can find therapeutic benefits from transitioning to custom designed scleral lenses. Scleral lenses tackle three factors simultaneously: they provide vision correction, they protect the eye, and they serve a therapeutic purpose by lubricating the eye.

Scleral lenses also decrease pain, discomfort, eye redness and itchiness in those with dry eyes.

Scleral Contact for Astigmatism

Astigmatism is a refractive error caused by irregular corneal curvature, resulting in blurred and distorted vision. Scleral lenses offer exceptional vision correction in patients with astigmatism, whether by birth, following post-refractive surgery, or due to other corneal procedures. The lenses improve visual acuity and comfort while keeping eyes hydrated all day long.

Scleral Lenses for Myopia and Presbyopia

Scleral contacts are ideal for anyone with severe nearsightedness or farsightedness. For presbyopic patients, scleral contacts can be designed as multifocal contacts to correct nearsightedness and farsightedness simultaneously. Because scleral lenses are firmly positioned on the eye, they provide significantly more comfort when compared to standard multifocal lenses.

Mini Scleral Contacts Vs. Full-Size Scleral Contact Lenses

All scleral lenses rest on the white part of the eye, the sclera. However, Dr. Karen Love will customize the scleral lenses by determining the exact diameter and space needed between the cornea and sclera. Certain scleral lenses may have a space of a few millimeters (mini scleral lenses), while standard scleral lenses are larger, full-sized lenses. Larger scleral lenses are typically recommended for highly irregular corneas.

Ask Us About Scleral Lenses

If you struggle with keratoconus, astigmatism, dry eyes or any of the other conditions listed above, ask your Escondido Premier Eyecare's Scleral Contact Lens Center doctor about scleral lenses. Dr. Karen Love will patiently assess and explain your condition to you, and will perform a specialized, scleral lens custom-fitting to ensure that you receive the best fit for optimal visual clarity and comfort.

Call the Escondido Premier Eyecare's Scleral Contact Lens Center today to schedule your consultation.

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Scleral Contact Lenses For Post Corneal Graft

Patients may be concerned that achieving a clear and comfortable vision will be nearly impossible following corneal transplant surgery. Although corneal transplants have a high success rate, they do not entirely cure the eye of disease. Patients will certainly notice dramatic improvements, but their vision will still need to be corrected.

It can take more than a year for the eye to recover from a corneal transplant, as it needs time to adapt to the new cornea. Because this adjustment is unpredictable, nearsightedness or astigmatism may develop. Even after complete recovery, prescription glasses or lenses may still be required. For this and other reasons (explained below), scleral lenses are the optimal choice for vision correction.

Here at Escondido Premier Eyecare's Scleral Contact Lens Center, we aim to provide the best possible vision for our patients who’ve had a corneal transplant. If you’ve undergone this procedure, speak with Dr. Karen Love to determine whether scleral contact lenses are the best choice for you.

Understanding Corneal Transplants

There are two common types of corneal transplants:

Penetrating keratoplasty, also called “full-thickness corneal transplant”, is when the full thickness of the cornea (the clear front surface of the eye) is replaced with healthy donor tissue.

Endothelial keratoplasty replaces only the diseased corneal tissue, leaving healthy tissue behind.

Why Would Someone Need a Corneal Transplant?

A corneal transplant is generally recommended in the following cases:

• For those with vision problems caused by the thinning of the cornea (generally due to keratoconus) and only after less invasive treatments have been proven ineffective
• Scarred cornea caused by severe injuries or infections
• Vision loss caused by cloudiness of the cornea, typically due to Fuchs dystrophy

Scleral Lenses & Post-Corneal Transplant Surgery

Corneal transplants don’t cure irregular corneas, as the transplant doesn’t fully adapt to the eye. Some eye doctors may recommend rigid gas permeable lenses (RGP’s), hybrid contact lenses, or scleral lenses for clear and comfortable vision.

Of all the options, scleral lenses are the optimal choice. The fully customized contact lens vaults entirely over the cornea without adding any pressure to it, while allowing the cornea to remain hydrated for ultimate healing and comfort. Furthermore, because they are larger in size than any other contact lens, they are less likely to shift and move around on the eyes, thus reducing the risk of irritation or abrasion.

We Fit Scleral Lenses and Other Specialty Contact Lenses

Getting fitted for scleral lenses after a corneal graft can be life-changing. It can allow you to comfortably and safely drive at night or resume playing a sport that you thought you’d have to give up.

If you’ve had a corneal transplant or plan to do so in the near future, know that clear and comfortable vision after the surgery is possible. Don’t miss out on incredible life experiences because of poor vision — call Escondido Premier Eyecare's Scleral Contact Lens Center today.

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