There are a lot of folks who prefer using contact lenses versus wearing glasses. After all, contacts offer a more extensive field of vision, do not restrict your vision with frames, simplify some aspects of everyday life, and expand the range of alternatives available to you for sunglasses that do not require a prescription.
Nevertheless, not everyone is a good candidate for the conventional types of contact lenses. You may find that regular contact lenses are painful for you to wear due to factors such as the shape of your eyes or the health of your eyes.
Because of advancements in contact lens technology, Sydney Eye Clinic now able to provide patients with a selection of specialist contact lenses, such as scleral lenses, that can cure a range of eye conditions.
If you suffer from dry eye syndrome or a corneal problem like as keratoconus, scleral lenses might provide you with the most clear and pleasant vision of all of the available options.
What exactly are scleral lenses?
A scleral lens, in contrast to a traditional soft contact lens, does not rest on the cornea but rather on the sclera, the less sensitive part of the whites of your eyes.
Scleral lenses are able to vault over the cornea because their diameter is significantly larger than that of regular contact lenses.
This creates a space that may be stuffed with a saline solution that can be used to maintain the moisture level of your eyes throughout the day. Because of these qualities, scleral lenses are an excellent choice for individuals who endure the discomfort associated with dry eye problems.
Who Should Consider Getting Scleral Lens Implants?
One of the most important factors that determines whether or not a person is a candidate for scleral lenses is whether or not they have a cornea with an uneven shape. However, this is by no means the only reason a person would choose to put these contact lenses in their eyes.
If the outcomes of your vision correction using eyeglasses or ordinary soft contact lenses don’t meet your expectations, you may be eligible for consideration as a candidate.
Scleral lenses have been shown to be effective in treating a variety of ocular problems, including the following: complications related to corneal transplants; dry eye syndrome; abnormal eyelids; keratoconus; Stevens-Johnson syndrome; complications following LASIK or radial keratotomy;
Even if you have one of these diseases, there is no assurance that scleral lenses will work well for your eyes. However, it is always a good idea to discuss the possibility with your eye doctor.
Advantages of Wearing Scleral Lenses
One of the primary advantages of scleral lenses is the amount of surface area that they cover. The fact that they are more substantial makes it less probable that they will shift position or become detached from the eye. Because of its smaller size, this lens often provides excellent clarity as well as comfort to the wearer.
Patients who suffer from dry eye syndrome can benefit from increased oxygen supply and additional moisture that is provided by the pocket of liquid that is located under the lens. In addition, people who suffer from ocular surface disorders might benefit from the therapeutic properties of this saline pocket.
Types of Scleral Lenses
The following are the three primary categories of scleral lenses:
Full Scleral Lenses
These are the lenses with the biggest diameter available. Their principal application is for patients who have advanced keratoconus or severe dry eyes. This is because they provide more comfort by covering more of the eye and by leaving a bigger pocket of fluid.
Mini Scleral Lenses
These scleral lenses are still bigger than typical soft contacts, and since they rest on the anterior sclera rather than the cornea, they leave a significant amount of space between the cornea and the contact lens.
Lenses of the Corneoscleral and Semi-Scleral Type
In certain cases, even after LASIK or one of the other refractive operations, patients will still require contacts in order to correct their astigmatism. In circumstances such as these, corneoscleral or semi-scleral lenses may be an option worth considering.
Disadvantages of Scleral Lenses
It is not possible for every optometrist or ophthalmologist to prescribe and fit scleral lenses since doing so requires specialised expertise. In addition, even if your optometrist is able to fit you with these lenses, the cost of scleral lenses is often more than that of a regular soft contact lens.
Switching to scleral lenses, which have a steeper learning curve than soft contact lenses, might be a significant adjustment for someone who already wears soft lenses. However, when you’ve become used to wearing scleral lenses, specialised contacts are typically the most comfortable choice.
Comparison of Hard Contact Lenses and Scleral Lenses
The size of the lens is the primary distinction between the two types of lenses. In contrast, a scleral lens reaches all the way to the sclera, whereas a conventional soft contact lens just rests on the cornea. Because of this, the scleral lens is typically more pleasant than other types of contact lenses, particularly for people who have one of the problems described above.
Another important distinction is that a scleral lens can protect the cornea from the hypoxic damage produced by a lack of oxygen. This type of damage can occur when standard contact lenses aren’t worn properly, but it can be avoided with a scleral lens. The cornea receives more oxygen as a result of the gap that is filled with liquid and is located between the scleral lens and the eye.
Inserting Scleral Lenses
There are some inconvenient contrasts among them all. Putting a standard contact lens on your eye, for instance, requires nothing more than a clean finger and a gentle application of the lens to your eye. However, a scleral lens needs to be balanced precariously on three fingers before it can be filled with a unique solution and delicately put on the eye.
How to Take Care of Your Contact Lenses
Regarding how they should be cared for, there is not a significant difference between the two types of lenses. Scleral lenses, on the other hand, require a specialised contact lens solution in order to be properly cleaned and disinfected. Aside from that, the following are the standard recommendations:
- Don’t sleep in your lenses.
- Always use clean hands when handling your lenses in any way.
- Avoid getting tap water on your lenses.
Discuss Your Contact Lens Options
Give us a call at Personal Eyes Australia if you aren’t happy with your glasses and you don’t think that regular soft contact lenses are the best option for you. If you have any questions regarding scleral lenses, the helpful staff here can provide answers and also schedule an appointment for you with one of our eye physicians.
Lastly
If you are having any question or inquiry about how to have a correct vision, cataract surgery, Laser eye surgery, laser vision correction, diabetic retinopathy, franzco medical retina, minimally invasive glaucoma surgery, normally clear lens, vision loss, retinal conditions, short sightedness, – you should get in touch with us via our Personal Eyes website to book your free assessment today.
Consider the factors outlined in this blog post, weigh the pros and cons, and most importantly, consult with a Sydney cataract surgeon at Personal Eyes before making the final decision.
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