If you have keratoconus, chances are you have been told that you are not a suitable candidate for contact lenses. While this may be true of soft contact lenses, you still have more contact lens options.
Scleral contact lenses are similar to gas-permeable contact lenses, but cover a larger diameter of the cornea. Scleral lenses cover the entire cornea, including the white part of the eye, called the sclera. Because these lenses cover the entire cornea and most of the sclera, the corneal irregularities that come along with keratoconus are reduced, providing clearer vision.
Scleral Lenses for Keratoconus
At Stahl Eyecare Experts, we recommend scleral contact lenses to our keratoconus patients as a temporary solution to the blurry vision caused by keratoconus. Large diameter contact lenses prevent the movement and discomfort that can happen when wearing small diameter contact lenses as a keratoconus patient.
Scleral lenses “vault” the corneal surface and rest on the less sensitive areas of the eye, making these lenses more comfortable to those with keratoconus. Underneath the scleral lens, there is a liquid reservoir that fills the space between the misshapen cornea and the lens.
Scleral lenses are custom made for each eye, since every person’s corneal irregularities are different.
How do I use scleral lenses?
Even if a patient has worn other types of contact lenses in the past, the process of inserting and removing scleral contact lenses can be tricky. The extra amount of time needed to master these lenses should be taken into consideration during the fitting process. Your doctor at Stahl Eyecare Experts will direct you on how to properly insert your lenses in person.
When inserting your scleral lenses, it is best to sit down in from of a mirror in a well-lit room. Make sure all eye makeup is removed and your hands are clean.
To insert your scleral lenses, place the lens centered on the plunger that was given to you by your doctor. Fill the lens almost to the top with a sterile saline solution. Hold your eyelids open with your index finger and thumb. It may be helpful to look down to the floor to reduce spilling of the saline solution. Place the lens on your eye. Remove the plunger. Blink and check for any bubbles underneath the lens.
To remove your lens, wet the tip of your plunger with saline. Pull your lower eyelid down, if helpful. Place the plunger on the bottom third of the lens. Pull the plunger up and out. As you are pulling the plunger out, it may be helpful to press the eyelid in to release the suction.
Are you interested in scleral contact lenses, contact Stahl Eye Experts in Long Island today. Call us to make an appointment or request an appointment online today!
