Some people have specific eye conditions that prevent them from seeing well with eyeglasses or conventional contact lenses. This can be so severe that it prevents them from driving, working, or even functioning normally in their everyday life. At Mountain View Eye we fit contact lenses that can help these patients see.
Extensive measurements and diagnostic tools are used to help evaluate the eye and create a contact lens that works best in both visual quality as well as comfort.
Some of the conditions that can greatly benefit from these specialty contacts are:
- Keratoconus
- Post-LASIK/refractive ectasia
- Severe Dry Eye
- Pellucid Marginal Degeneration
- High refractive error/astigmatism
Scleral lenses are used as an alternative to potentially dangerous surgeries, and often times are the only option for a patient to not only see well, but allow them to have pain free eyes.
Interestingly, scleral lenses never actually touch the cornea. They actually “vault” over the cornea and rest comfortably on the white part of the eye (the sclera). The space between the contact lens and the cornea is filled with preservative free fluid, which acts as a cushion to the cornea, as well as filling in all of the irregular peaks and valleys on the front of the eye. This provides a smooth ocular and refractive surface that improves the patient’s vision as well as having a therapeutic component. Modern lenses use highly gas permeable materials to ensure the cornea receives the appropriate amount of oxygen.
These lenses are completely custom made for the individual patient. Because of this, it can often take several visits to finalize a lens that both fits properly as well as provides clear, comfortable vision.
If you have any questions about scleral lenses, or think you may benefit from them, contact our office today.