When Are Scleral Lenses the Best Choice?

For many people, glasses or standard contact lenses provide clear, comfortable vision. But for others, especially those with complex eye conditions or ongoing discomfort, traditional options may fall short. That’s where scleral lenses come in. These specialized contact lenses can be life-changing for patients who need sharper vision, greater comfort, or both.
 

What Are Scleral Lenses?

Scleral lenses are large-diameter, rigid gas permeable contact lenses designed to vault over the entire cornea. Unlike standard contacts, they do not touch the sensitive corneal surface. Instead, they create a smooth optical surface while holding a reservoir of fluid between the lens and the eye. This unique design allows scleral lenses to correct vision while also protecting and hydrating the eye.
 

When Scleral Lenses Are the Best Option

Scleral lenses are often recommended when other vision correction methods cannot provide adequate clarity or comfort. Below are some of the most common situations where they are considered the best choice.

• Irregular Corneas: Patients with irregularly shaped corneas often struggle to achieve clear vision with glasses or soft contact lenses. Conditions such as keratoconus, corneal scarring, or post-surgical corneal changes can cause distorted vision that standard lenses cannot properly correct.
• Severe Dry Eye Disease: For individuals with moderate to severe dry eye, wearing traditional contact lenses can be uncomfortable or even impossible. Scleral lenses continuously bathe the eye in a layer of preservative-free saline, providing lasting hydration throughout the day.
• Post-Surgical Vision Challenges: Some patients experience visual irregularities or discomfort after eye surgeries such as LASIK, corneal transplants, or other refractive or therapeutic procedures. Scleral lenses can help restore visual quality and comfort by compensating for changes to the corneal surface.
• High or Complex Prescriptions: When vision prescriptions are especially high or difficult to correct, standard lenses may not provide stable or consistent vision. Because scleral lenses are custom-designed for each eye, they can deliver more precise correction and better visual stability for complex prescriptions.
• Sensitivity and Discomfort with Traditional Contacts: Some people simply cannot tolerate soft or rigid corneal contact lenses due to sensitivity, lens movement, or irritation. Since scleral lenses rest on the sclera and avoid contact with the cornea, many patients find them far more comfortable than other lens types.
   

Benefits Beyond Vision Correction

In addition to sharper vision, scleral lenses offer several unique benefits:

• Improved comfort for sensitive eyes
• Reduced glare and visual distortion
• Eye surface protection for compromised corneas
• Greater stability compared to smaller contact lenses

These advantages make scleral lenses not just a vision solution, but also a therapeutic option for certain eye conditions.
 

Find Out If Scleral Lenses Are Right for You

Scleral lenses are often the best choice for patients who need more than traditional glasses or contact lenses can provide. Whether you’re dealing with irregular corneas, severe dry eye, post-surgical changes, or persistent discomfort, these custom lenses may offer clearer vision and improved quality of life. With the right evaluation and expert fitting, scleral lenses can open the door to comfortable, reliable vision when other options fall short.

If you’ve struggled with standard contacts or are looking for advanced vision solutions, schedule a comprehensive eye exam at Optic Gallery to learn if scleral lenses are right for you. Visit our offices located in Las Vegas, Henderson, Reno, Sparks, and Pahrump Nevada, or request your appointment online at www.opticgallery.com.