When glasses and traditional contacts don’t work
Certain conditions that affect the cornea can make correcting vision more difficult. For patients with these hard-to-correct refractive differences, we’re excited to offer a state-of-the art contact lens option in scleral lenses. Conditions that are suited to correction with scleral lenses include:
Keratoconus
High astigmatism
Pellucid Marginal Degeneration
Extreme dry eye
Irregular corneas
Post-LASIK corneal issues
Scleral Lenses are a type of hard contact (or RGP, Rigid Gas Permeable) with a larger diameter than traditional contact lenses. They work by resting on the sclera, which is the white of the eye around the cornea, and trapping a fluid layer between the cornea and the lens.
Fitting Process
Being fitted for scleral lenses is typically a three-step process over 3-6 weeks:
Initial Consultation: This visit takes about an hour, during which we will take images and measurements of your eyes and educate you about the lenses. At the end of this visit, we will order your custom scleral lenses and schedule you for your next visit.
Lens Trial: When your lenses arrive, it’s time to try them on your eyes. This visit is broken in to two parts and takes a total of about two and a half hours. Plan for an hour for insertion and removal training with our staff. Once you get the lenses on your eyes, we’ll ask you to let them settle on your eyes for an hour then return for imaging with the lens. We’ll then take those updated measurements and order your final lens.
Dispensing: When your final lenses arrive, we’ll bring you back in to try them on in our office. If we’re all happy with the fit, you’re all done!
How much do scleral lenses cost?
The cost for a set of scleral lenses is roughly comparable to annual supply of daily disposable contact lenses. However, scleral lenses are not disposable; your custom lenses can last years with proper care.
Most vision benefit plans do cover scleral lenses as medically necessary contact lenses. We can check your specific plan for coverage details.
Ready to get started?
If you’re ready for clear vision with scleral lenses, start by talking to your regular doctor to see if scleral lenses are right for you. They can make a referral to us, or you can contact us directly. Call or text (304) 768-3332.