Scleral lenses are a special type of contact lens designed to give you clear, comfortable vision. They’re larger than regular soft contacts and work a little differently to keep your eyes feeling good while helping you see better.
Instead of sitting directly on your cornea, scleral lenses rest on the white part of your eye (the sclera) and form a gentle dome over your cornea. The space between the lens and your eye is filled with a saline solution, which keeps your eyes hydrated and helps focus light more accurately.
Unlike smaller contacts that touch the cornea, scleral lenses completely vault over it. This unique design makes them a great option for people with sensitive eyes, irregular corneas, or those who just need extra comfort.
If you’re looking for an alternative to regular contacts or eyeglasses, visit our clinic to explore scleral lens fittings, trials, and training tailored to your eye health and vision needs.
How Are Scleral Lenses Different from Regular Contacts?
Understanding the key differences between scleral and traditional lenses can show why they’re often recommended for more complex vision needs:
Size
Soft contact lenses usually measure 13-14 mm across, while scleral lenses range from about 15 mm up to 22 mm. Their larger size allows them to rest securely on the sclera and cover more of the eye’s surface.
Fit
Regular contacts sit directly on the cornea, which can be sensitive or irregular in shape. Scleral lenses, on the other hand, vault over the cornea entirely and rest on the sclera, offering a more stable and comfortable fit.
Hydration
Scleral lenses form a reservoir of saline solution between the lens and cornea, keeping the eye consistently hydrated throughout the day. This makes them especially beneficial for people with chronic dry eye or corneal damage.
Vision Correction
While standard contacts can correct common vision issues like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and mild astigmatism, scleral lenses are designed to deliver clear, stable vision for more complex conditions such as keratoconus, post corneal transplant, or high levels of astigmatism.
Who Can Benefit from Scleral Lenses?
Our optometrist can help determine if scleral lenses are a good fit for you. They are often suggested for people with specific eye health conditions. These lenses create a smooth new surface for the eye, which can improve vision for people with conditions such as:
- Keratoconus
- Corneal irregularities from injury or surgery (post corneal transplants, post LASIK ectasia, Intacs etc…)
- Dry eye syndrome
- Pellucid marginal degeneration
The Scleral Lens Fit Process
Getting the right fit for scleral lenses is a detailed process. It requires specific measurements of your eye’s unique shape and vision needs.
Your First Appointment
Your eye doctor will take precise measurements of your cornea and sclera, often using advanced mapping technology to create a detailed image of your eye’s surface. Additionally, sample lenses will be inserted during the visit to measure the power required for your lenses, giving you a preview of how your vision will look after the custom lens is designed.
Custom Lens Design
Based on the measurements, an initial set of lenses is custom-designed for you. From there, we look at refining and adjusting the lenses further, helping to perfect both your vision and comfort.
How to Handle Your New Lenses
You’ll receive instruction on how to put in, take out, & care for your new scleral lenses. Your eye care team will work with you until you feel comfortable with the process.
Our goal at Downtown Eye Care is to match you with the best solution for your vision needs.
Daily Life & Care for Your Lenses
Once you get used to them, scleral lenses can become a simple part of your daily routine.
Day-to-Day Wear
Many people find they can wear their scleral lenses comfortably for a full day. The lenses are designed to provide stable, clear vision for many activities.
Clean & Store Your Lenses
Proper care is important for the health of your eyes. Follow these general steps:
- Always wash your hands before you touch your lenses.
- Use only the cleaning & disinfecting solutions recommended by your eye doctor.
- Store your lenses in a clean case with fresh solution each night.
Talk to Our Eye Doctor About Your Options
Your vision needs are unique. A comprehensive eye exam is a great first step to explore all available options for your sight.
A conversation with our eye care professional can help you learn more about different types of lenses, including sclerals, & discover what may work for you & your family. Book your eye exam with Downtown Eye Care in Ottawa today and take the first step toward clearer, healthier sight.
