How Scleral Lenses Restore Vision for Keratoconus Patients

Living with keratoconus can make everyday tasks feel frustrating and unpredictable. As the condition progresses, many patients find that glasses or standard contact lenses no longer provide clear or comfortable vision. Fortunately, scleral lenses have become a highly effective solution, helping many keratoconus patients regain clarity, comfort, and confidence in their vision.

Understanding Keratoconus

Keratoconus is a progressive eye condition that affects the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye. Instead of maintaining its normal round shape, the cornea gradually thins and bulges outward into a cone-like shape. This irregular shape prevents light from focusing properly on the retina, leading to distorted and blurred vision.

Keratoconus often begins in adolescence or early adulthood and can worsen over time. Early diagnosis and proper management are key to preserving vision and maintaining quality of life.

How Keratoconus Affects Vision

As the cornea becomes more irregular, patients may experience:

• Blurred or distorted vision

• Increased sensitivity to light and glare

• Frequent changes in glasses or contact lens prescriptions

• Ghosting or double vision

• Difficulty seeing clearly at night

In the early stages of keratoconus, glasses or soft contact lenses may provide adequate vision correction. However, as the condition progresses, these traditional options often become less effective.

What Are Scleral Lenses?

Scleral lenses are large-diameter, specialty contact lenses designed to vault over the entire cornea and rest gently on the white part of the eye, known as the sclera. Unlike traditional lenses, scleral lenses do not touch the irregular corneal surface.

The space between the lens and the cornea is filled with a sterile saline solution, creating a smooth optical surface that allows light to focus properly while keeping the eye continuously hydrated.

Benefits of Scleral Lenses for Keratoconus

Scleral lenses offer several unique advantages for patients with keratoconus:

• Clearer, More Stable Vision: By creating a uniform optical surface over the cornea, scleral lenses significantly reduce visual distortion and improve sharpness - often beyond what glasses or standard contacts can achieve.

• Improved Comfort: Because scleral lenses rest on the sclera rather than the sensitive cornea, they are often more comfortable than traditional rigid lenses, even for patients with advanced keratoconus.

• Enhanced Eye Protection and Hydration: The fluid reservoir beneath the lens keeps the cornea moist throughout the day, which can help reduce dryness, irritation, and discomfort.

• Custom Fit for Complex Eyes: Scleral lenses are custom-designed for each patient’s unique eye shape, making them an excellent option for irregular corneas that cannot be corrected with standard lenses.

• Reduced Lens Movement: Their larger size allows scleral lenses to remain stable on the eye, providing consistent vision without frequent shifting or dislodging.

Take the Next Step at Perspective Eye Care

Keratoconus can significantly impact vision and daily life, especially when traditional corrective options no longer provide adequate results. Scleral lenses offer a powerful solution by addressing both the visual distortion and comfort challenges caused by this condition. With their advanced design and customized fit, scleral lenses help many keratoconus patients see clearly again.

If you or a loved one has keratoconus and struggles with blurred vision or uncomfortable contact lenses, Perspective Eye Care is here to help. Schedule an eye exam to learn whether scleral lenses are right for you. Visit our office in Spanish Fort, Alabama, or call (251) 301-5650 to book an appointment today.