Scleral Contact Lenses for Keratoconus and Irregular Corneas in Dallas Ft. Worth
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Scleral lenses are the most common and most successful treatment for patients with keratoconus, pellucid marginal degeneration, post corneal transplant, post-refractive surgery complications, irregular corneas and other conditions requiring a medically necessary contact lens.
What is a Scleral Lens
A scleral lens is a little larger than a traditional soft contact lens. Scleral lenses rest on the sclera, distributing their weight over a larger area. A Scleral lens vaults over the entire cornea. A scleral lens will usually extend only a couple of millimeters beyond the colored part of the eye.
Patients Prefer Scleral Contact Lenses
Patients wearing properly fit scleral contacts report the comfort is similar to a soft contact lens. Modern scleral contact lenses use the latest, highly oxygen permeable lens materials. These high tech lens materials allow the eye to get the oxygen it needs without any ill effects. At Total Eye Care, Dr. Richard Driscoll has found over 90% of his keratoconus patients prefer the new custom scleral contact lenses over their previous method of treatment.1
The History of Scleral Lenses
Scleral contact lenses have been around since the late 1800s when they were made of glass. Early sclerals were often referred to as scleral shells. In the early 1900s polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), a type of plastic made the manufacturing process easier; however, it was still a cumbersome, hard to reproduce process. In the 1940s scleral lenses fell out of favor with the advent of “hard lenses”, using PMMA, a type of plastic allowed newer manufacturing techniques to be used. This new technology brought better comfort and longer wearing times.
Small Gas Permeable Lenses Outpace Scleral Contact Lenses
Further material advancements in the 1970s led to the development of gas permeable contact lenses (often referred to as RGP lenses) and soft contact lenses (SCL). Gas permeable lenses and soft contact lenses are still used today with soft contact lenses being by far the most popular option. Soft contact lenses; however, are a poor option for patients with irregular corneas. Gas permeable lenses, on the other hand, are often a good option for patients with keratoconus or irregular corneas. However, with recent advancements, scleral contacts have become the treatment of choice for keratoconus.
New Lens Materials and High Technology Manufacturing Put Scleral Contact Lenses at The Forefront of Keratoconus Treatment
Highly oxygen permeable materials, new manufacturing techniques, and computer-aided design have led to scleral contact lenses that are more comfortable, give better vision and are safe for the eye. In the past 5 to 10 years, those of us that see a lot of patients with keratoconus have shifted our focus to using scleral contact lenses as the treatment choice for keratoconus.2
Scleral Contact Lenses, The Best Option for Patients with Keratoconus or Irregular Corneas
Better Comfort
Our patients report comfort is the number one feature they like about their lenses. During the fitting process, we always survey our patients about how the lenses feel in their eyes. The most common responses are they feel fine or I can’t feel them at all. If a patient does report feeling the lenses we can make changes in the fit to improve the lens comfort.
Improved Vision
Better vision also makes scleral contact lenses a better choice for treating keratoconus and irregular corneas. At Total Eye Care, our keratoconus specialists use lenses that allow the doctor to fully customize the lens for optimal vision. Since scleral contact lenses move very little on the eye they provide more stable vision than other lenses.
Better Quality of Life
Virtually all patients with keratoconus see better with contact lenses than with glasses. It is not uncommon for patients to see 20/200 with glasses; however, with scleral contact lenses, their vision may improve to 20/30 or even 20/20. We have seen cases where patients were able to get a better job because they can now see better. Many patients that have not experienced scleral contact lenses are unable to drive because of poor vision. However, with scleral contact lenses they can now see well enough they feel comfortable driving again.
What Do People Say About Scleral Lenses for Keratoconus?
Steph Curry is an NBA All-Star point guard for the Golden State Warriors. He has been very open about having keratoconus. Recently, during a shooting slump, he received contact lenses to treat his keratoconus. Here is a video where he describes what it was like when things came into focus.
It’s amazing he played at that level for so long with the distorted vision common to keratoconus.
Why Do Scleral Contact Lenses Provide Better Vision Than Glasses or Traditional Contact Lenses?
A layer of tears sits between the scleral lens and the cornea. This layer of tears fills in the corneal irregularities making a smoother optical surface. By smoothing the optical surface we reduce irregular astigmatism and other optical aberrations, providing better visual acuity.
What Conditions are Treated with Scleral Contact Lenses?
Anyone can wear a scleral lens; however, because they are difficult to fit they are usually reserved for more complicated cases. Keratoconus is the most common use for fitting scleral contacts and refractive surgery complications are the second. Here is a list of the common uses for scleral contact lenses.
- Keratoconus
- Refractive Surgery Complications (PRK, LASIK, etc.)
- Dry Syndrome
- Pellucid Marginal Degeneration
- Irregular Astigmatism
- Penetrating Keratoplasty (corneal transplant)
- Post Surgical Ectasia
- High Myopia
What Makes Scleral Contact Lenses so Comfortable?
The simple answer is the size of a scleral lens makes it more comfortable than a traditional gas permeable contact lens, however; there is a little more to it than that. A traditional contact lens is much smaller, typical 9 to 10 mm in diameter and the entire weight of the lens rests on the cornea. The human cornea is one of the most highly innervated, sensitive pieces of tissue on the body. With each blink, this small contact lens moves a few millimeters over the cornea and the lid will often have to roll over the edge of the lens as well. All of these factors can cause some degree of discomfort. Over time people get used to this sensation and can wear the lens all day.
Scleral Contacts – Better Comfort, Better Vision
On the other hand, the weight of a scleral lens rests on the sclera (the white part of the eye). Being larger it spreads its weight over a much greater, less sensitive area. The edge of a lens rests under the upper eyelid so when you blink the eyelid doesn’t catch the edge of the lens. There is also very little movement of the lens when you blink, this not only improves comfort but provides far more stable vision.
Why are Scleral Contact Lenses a Better Option for Treating Keratoconus?
From an eye physiology standpoint, both rigid gas permeable lenses and scleral lenses allow the eye to receive sufficient oxygen. In almost all cases; however, scleral contact lenses provide improved comfort and better more stable vision than traditional gas permeable lenses. Scleral contact lenses also provide better visual acuity, durability, and comfort than hybrid lenses such as the Synergeyes lenses. Keratoconus experts now agree scleral contact lenses are the treatment of choice for patients with keratoconus and irregular corneas.3, 4
What is the Process for Getting Scleral Contact Lenses at Total Eye Care?
A Comprehensive Eye Exam is an Important First Step
You can schedule an appointment online or by calling 817.416.0333. If you are ready to proceed then the next step is for us to conduct a complete eye exam. Making a determination of your best-corrected visual acuity is helpful in assessing the quality of vision you achieve with conventional vision correction such as glasses. Evaluating your ocular health also allows us to rule out other potential issues that may also affect your vision. Finally, discussing the result of our findings along with a review of the potential treatment options lets us put together a plan of action to help you recover the most vision.
Therapeutic Contact Lens Evaluation
When you return for your therapeutic contact lens evaluation we will make a topographical map of your cornea and conduct a few other tests to evaluate your corneal health. This initial information is important, allowing us to establish a baseline, and to monitor the health and stability or progression of your cornea. We will select an initial diagnostic lens from the data collected and place the scleral lens on your eye. Once we have verified the diagnostic lens will provide an optimal starting point we will have you rest with the lens in our eye for about 60 minutes. After the stabilization period, we will then check the fit and vision with the lens to optimize your comfort and vision.
With this information, your keratoconus specialist will design your custom lenses. Each scleral lens is custom manufactured and takes approximately 15 to 20 days to design, manufacture, and ship.
Test Driving Your New Scleral Contact Lenses
When we receive your new scleral contact lenses we will call you to schedule a time to teach you how to insert, remove, and care for your lenses. We will also schedule an appointment with the doctor to verify your new lenses are performing optimally.
I Have Had Corneal Cross-linking, Will a Scleral Contact Lens Help Me?
Yes, in many cases crosslinking can be beneficial. Corneal cross-linking, sometimes called CR3, stabilizes the keratoconus. You still have keratoconus but the cross-linking strengthens the cornea, making a smoother optical surface. Once the cornea is stable we then proceed with fitting your scleral contact lenses, improving your visual acuity and function.4
How Do I Learn More?
We offer complimentary keratoconus treatment consults to help patients decide if they may benefit from scleral contacts. You can schedule your free consultation online with Dr. Driscoll at either our Colleyville or Keller/Southlake Location. We can also schedule your appointment by calling 817.416.0333.
Scleral Lens FAQ’s
A scleral lens is a type of contact lens that rests on the scleral and vaults over the cornea. A layer of tears are trapped under the lens which helps reduce corneal aberrations giving patients with irregular corneas better vision. Modern scleral contact lenses are made of highly oxygen permeable material which usually allows patients to successfully wear them for an entire day.
Yes, scleral contact lenses can greatly improve discomfort and poor vision experienced by patients with moderate to severe dry eye syndrome.
Scleral contact lenses give better comfort and visual acuity with fewer complications. RGP lenses are generally less expensive and more widely available.
Yes, scleral contact lenses are the safest keratoconus treatment option available. Unlike a traditional RGP lens that rests on the cornea a scleral lens vaults over the cornea. This reduces discomfort and also decreases complications.
A well-fit scleral contact lens will provide comfort similar to a soft contact lens. The increased comfort is due to a few important factors. The increased diameter allows the edge of the lens to sit under the eyelid. The larger diameter allows the weight of the lens to rest on the sclera. There is minimal, if any, contact with the highly innervated cornea.
Scleral contacts are usually considered medically necessary when they are used to treat certain ocular conditions. Some of the most common conditions treated with a scleral lens are keratoconus, pellucid marginal degeneration, irregular astigmatism, and dry eye syndrome.
Yes, the vast majority of patients can wear their lenses all day long.
If you wore a scleral lens or RGP lenses before corneal cross-linking (CXL) you will probably experience better vision with scleral contacts after cross-linking.
Scleral lenses are typically replaced annually. It is important; however, to see your keratoconus specialist on at least an annual basis. A poorly fitting lens can increase the risk of complications such as corneal scarring.
No, a scleral lens should not hurt. A well-fit scleral contact lens should be about as comfortable as a soft contact lens. If you are experiencing discomfort you should see your keratoconus contact lens specialist.
Modern scleral lenses are made of highly oxygen permeable materials. This allows them to safely treat keratoconus providing comfortable, stable vision. Hard lenses, on the other hand, are made of PMMA (Polymethyl Methacrylate) and are not oxygen permeable.
Medicare does not cover scleral contact lenses; however, numerous vision plans do consider scleral lenses as medically necessary or visually necessary devices.
The cost of scleral lenses varies greatly depending on the complexity of the case. Costs typically range from $2,000 to $4,000 or more.
PROSE stands for Prosthetic Replacement Ocular Surface Ecosystem. Scleral lenses are a type of PROSE treatment where the lens is used to essentially become the front surface of the eye. This serves two purposes. First, it protects the cornea. This is especially important for patients with dry eyes. Second, it smooths out an irregular ocular surface. Treatment of keratoconus is the most common use of a PROSE lens.
Keratoconus lenses are specialized contact lenses that can accommodate the sharp, steep curves found in keratoconus. The most common keratoconus lenses are usually rigid gas permeable, hybrid or scleral lenses with the latter having the highest success rate.
About Dr. Richard Driscoll
Dr. Driscoll is a therapeutic optometrist and keratoconus specialist at Total Eye Care in Colleyville, Texas. A 1988 Graduate of the Illinois College, Dr. Driscoll has been treating patients with keratoconus for over 30 years. Following Dr. Driscoll’s Graduation from the Illinois College of Optometry, he joined the residency program at the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Dr. Driscoll likes to write. He wrote An Eye Doctor Answers: Explanations To Hundreds Of The Most Common Questions Patients Wish They Had Asked, available on Amazon.com, and The Patient’s Guide to Keratoconus which you can download here.
References
1Ozek D, Kemer OE, Altiaylik P. Visual performance of scleral lenses and their impact on quality of life in patients with irregular corneas. Arq Bras Oftalmol. 2018 Nov./Dec.;81(6):475-480. [PubMed]
2Schornack MM, Patel SV. Scleral lenses in the management of keratoconus. Eye Contact Lens. 2010 Jan;36(1):39-44. [PubMed]
3Koppen C, Kreps EO, Anthonissen L, Van Hoey M, Dhubhghaill SN, Vermeulen L. Scleral Lenses Reduce the Need for Corneal Transplants in Severe Keratoconus. Am J Ophthalmol. 2018 Jan;185:43-47. [PubMed]
4Rathi VM, Mandathara PS, Taneya M, Dumpati S, Sangwan VS. Scleral lens for keratoconus: technology update. Clin Ophthalmol. 2015; 9: 2013–2018. [PubMed] [Full Article]