Scleral Lenses After Keratoconus Diagnosis

If you have been diagnosed with keratoconus, it really makes it difficult to try to find the prescription lenses that you want. Unless your condition is very mild, you likely do not see well with eyeglasses.  Traditional contact lenses simply are not designed for patients with keratoconus.   If you try to wear them, you may find that they often slip when you blink and only cause more problems than they are worth.

If you have been frustrated with your search for contact lenses after being diagnosed with keratoconus, contact Factoria Eye Clinic today. We offer all modalities of contact lenses for keratoconus.   We are dedicated to  ensure that your contacts fit properly and that you are seeing the best you are capable of!

Understanding Keratoconus

Keratoconus is a progressive thinning of the cornea.  The thinned cornea protrudes forward due to the pressure of the fluid inside the eye.  (think water balloon).  This protrusion usually occurs in an irregular pattern.  This irregularity causes images to become distorted when they enter the eye.  As the protrusion becomes more pronounced and the irregularity becomes worse—regular contact lenses neither fit properly, nor do they provide good vision. 
 

What Are Scleral Contact Lenses

Scleral contact lenses are specifically designed to help patients who suffer from irregular corneas such as keratoconus. These lenses are larger in diameter than traditional contact lenses.  They are made of gas permeable plastic. Gas permeable lenses (RGPs) are also sometimes referred to as hard or rigid contacts.

Scleral lenses are specifically designed to be larger so that the outer edges rest on the sclera or the white part of your eye. The lens is then specially designed so that it vaults over the top of the cornea. This creates a corrective lens that helps light pass into the eye without being distorted. There is also another side benefit of this type of lens: it holds additional fluid inside.  This creates a type of reservoir and helps to reduce the effects of dry eye and allows the eye to feel more refreshed throughout the day.

At Factoria Eye Clinic the lenses we fit are commonly between 14.9 mm and 19.0 mm. In contrast, traditional gas permeable lenses are generally between 9 and 9.5 millimeters. This means that traditional lenses simply do not have the ability to rest on the sclera, and only cover a portion of the cornea.

The overall size of your prescribed lenses is often related to the severity of the shape of the cone caused by your keratoconus. The more severe the cone, the wider the lens has to be in order to vault across the cornea.

Getting Fitted

Not all eye care professionals have the ability to fit their patients with these special lenses. It is important to find a provider that has the knowledge, skill, and tools to properly measure and fit your eyes. If you are considering scleral contact lenses, contact Factoria Eye Clinic.

Our staff has been specifically trained in the treatment of keratoconus, and we have the experience to make sure that you get exactly what you want. It is important to have the proper fit for the best possible vision, comfort and eye health.

Overview

Patients who have keratoconus or other eye conditions that make wearing contact lenses difficult, may benefit from scleral contact lenses. If you are weighing your options, contact Factoria Eye Clinic today and see how our staff can make the difference in your life.