Scleral Lenses in Wilmington, NC

Scleral lenses are very large contact lenses made especially for people with certain eye problems that made wearing contact lenses impossible.

Scleral contacts are larger than conventional gas-permeable contact lenses that typically rest on the colored iris of the eye. The large diameter of scleral lenses allows the edges of these special contacts to extend past the iris and cover part of the sclera, commonly known as the “white of the eye.” This extra-large size allows the lens to change the shape of the cornea, which is the clear, dome-shaped layer of tissue covering the eye.

As light travels into the eye, the cornea bends and focuses the light to create a clear image. Irregularities in the cornea can blur vision; these irregularities can also make it difficult to wear contact lenses. Certain conditions can cause corneal irregularities. Keratoconus is one such condition – it causes the cornea to thin and bulge outward into a cone shape, which causes distorted, blurred vision and sometimes sensitivity to light.

Conventional contact lenses do not fit well over irregularly shaped corneas, so they do not correct vision very well. Because they are larger, scleral contact lenses fit over even the most irregular corneas to correct vision by creating a new optical surface in patients with keratoconus or other conditions affecting the cornea. These lenses can also correct vision for those with corneal scars, have had corneal transplants, or refractive surgery, such as LASIK or RK.

Scleral lenses are also more comfortable because they rest on the sclera, which has fewer nerve endings than the iris. Their special shape allows a greater amount of saline solution to sit between the lens and the eye, which prevents the eye from feeling dry and scratchy. Scleral lenses are also gas permeable, so they allow oxygen to pass through the lens and reach the eye to improve comfort and eye health even more.

For more information on scleral lenses in Wilmington, NC, contact Paul Vision Institute.