Contact lenses are great options for those who need vision correction but would rather not wear glasses. However, there are certain cases wherein not just any kind of contact lens will do. Certain refractive errors make traditional soft contact lens wear impossible. If you have a condition that prevents you from wearing standard contacts, consider scleral lenses. Our eye doctor will assess your eyes to determine whether or not these specialty lenses are right for you.
What are Scleral Contacts?
Scleral contact lenses are unique mainly because of their features that cannot be found anywhere else in other types of lenses on the market. Scleral lenses are large in diameter, with coverage wide enough to cover the sclera, which is the white part of the eye. Scleral lenses are also gas-permeable.
The wide coverage of scleral contacts makes it easier to address the issue of irregular corneas, and also provide a comfortable fit. While anyone can wear scleral lenses, they are usually recommended for those who are suffering from corneal dystrophies, degenerations, and other corneal diseases. Scleral lenses are also worn by those who have undergone refractive surgeries such as LASIK or RK. Our eye doctor will evaluate your eye health to determine whether or not scleral lenses are right for you.
Wearing Scleral Lenses
As comfortable as scleral lenses are, they cannot be worn all the time. Ideally, you should wear your scleral lenses for no longer than fourteen hours straight. Depending on your eye’s condition, you may need to reapply them and refresh the lenses with saline sometime during the day. The large, rigid diameter of scleral lenses makes them easy to insert, refresh, and remove.
Optometrist in Sandpoint
If you believe you would benefit from wearing scleral lenses, we are ready to assist you. At Eye Clinic of Sandpoint, we have years of experience fitting our patients for specialty contacts to address conditions that make traditional soft contact lens wear impossible. Because this is a special type of lens, you will need to undergo a comprehensive eye exam first before our optometrist provides you with them. For more information on scleral lenses or to schedule an appointment, call us at (208) 263-8501.
