Scleral Lenses vs. Other Contact Lens Options for Keratoconus

Living with keratoconus can be challenging. This eye condition, which affects the shape of your cornea, causes it to thin and bulge outwards into a cone-like shape. It disrupts your vision, leading to distortion and blurriness that typical eyeglasses cannot correct. It's essential to arm yourself with knowledge about the condition and the various options available to improve your vision.

Contact Lens Options for Keratoconus

When you're diagnosed with keratoconus, your optometrist will present you with several contact lens options to help manage the condition. Eyeglasses can correct mild cases, but as the disease progresses, they become less effective. That’s when contact lenses become the go-to solution for improved vision. Because of the cornea's irregular shape, you need specialized lenses designed to address the unique challenges keratoconus presents.

Soft contact lenses might be your first thought, but they are often unsuitable for keratoconus since they conform to the shape of your cornea and do not correct the irregular astigmatism. Rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses are more effective because they maintain their shape, providing a smooth refractive surface to improve vision. However, standard RGPs can be uncomfortable and may not stay centered on a more cone-shaped cornea.

Hybrid lenses are another option that combines a rigid center with a soft lens skirt, aiming to offer the visual benefits of RGPs with the comfort of soft lenses. However, the fitting process can be complex, and some users find the transition between the rigid and soft portions of the lens uncomfortable.

What are Scleral Lenses?

Scleral lenses are a specialized type of contact lenses that differ significantly from traditional soft or RGP lenses. These lenses are larger in diameter and designed to vault over the entire corneal surface, resting on the white part of your eye, known as the sclera. Because they do not sit directly on the cornea, they offer a unique form of comfort and visual acuity for individuals with keratoconus.

The design of scleral lenses allows them to hold a thin layer of saline solution between the lens and the cornea. This reservoir can help in keeping your eyes hydrated, which is beneficial if you suffer from dry eyes—a common symptom associated with keratoconus. Scleral lenses are custom-made to fit the precise contours of your eyes, ensuring that they're both comfortable and effective at correcting vision.

Benefits of Scleral Lenses for Keratoconus

Opting for scleral lenses can bring about a remarkable improvement in your vision and comfort if you have keratoconus. The larger size and unique design of these lenses offer several advantages. Most notably, they provide a stable fit that can handle the irregular cornea without exerting pressure on it, which can halt the progression of the condition and offer consistent vision correction throughout the day.

Additionally, scleral lenses can deliver sharper vision than other contact lens options. Their ability to correct higher levels of astigmatism and irregularities is unparalleled. You may find that with scleral lenses, your vision is clearer and more stable, with reduced glare and halos around lights—common complaints among keratoconus patients.

Navigating Keratoconus Effectively

If you're navigating the complexities of keratoconus, scleral lenses could be a game-changer for your vision and overall eye health. These lenses offer superior comfort, stability, and visual acuity compared to other contact lens options, addressing the unique challenges that keratoconus presents.

Explore the possibilities that scleral lenses offer and take control of your vision with keratoconus today, visit Evolutionary Eye Care at our office in Downtown, Houston, Texas. With the right care and treatment, you can look forward to clearer days ahead. Call (713) 658-8301 to schedule an appointment today.