Regular contacts work well for many people, but an irregular cornea or severe dry eye can make conventional lenses harder to wear or less useful for clear vision. Lauren Richards, OD, completed a postgraduate residency in primary care and ocular disease, served as chief resident, and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. Specialty contact lenses are one of her clinical interests. Through Vista Eye Specialists, our contact lens exams and fittings in Fredericksburg, Virginia, include scleral lenses for patients who need a different approach to vision correction.
How Scleral Lenses Sit on the Eye
The biggest difference is where the contact rests. Scleral lenses are larger than conventional contacts and sit on the sclera, the white part of the eye, while arching over the cornea instead of lying directly against it.
That space over the cornea forms a tear reservoir. It keeps fluid against the ocular surface and can make these lenses useful when dryness is severe. Because the lens bridges over corneal irregularities, it also creates a smoother surface for incoming light, which may improve vision when the cornea is not evenly shaped.
When Can Scleral Lenses Be Useful?
Scleral contacts are specialty devices rather than a better version of regular lenses for everyone. Our team may consider them for people with:
- Keratoconus
- Other corneal diseases or dystrophies
- Corneal scarring
- A history of corneal transplant surgery
- Severe dry eye or other ocular surface disease
With keratoconus, the cornea becomes thinner and develops a cone-like shape. That irregular surface can make standard correction more difficult. Vista Eye Specialists uses scleral and rigid gas-permeable lenses as options for some patients with keratoconus. The tear reservoir beneath a scleral lens may also support comfort for people dealing with severe dry eye.
Why the Fitting Process Is More Specialized
A comprehensive eye exam checks vision and general eye health, while a scleral fitting calls for additional measurements. Our doctors may measure the cornea more closely or use imaging to map its curvature so the contact can be matched to the shape of the eye.
The size and rigidity of scleral lenses also change how they are handled. Once the fit is established, our eye care team teaches you how to insert, remove, clean, and maintain them safely.
See Whether Specialty Contacts Match Your Needs
If conventional contacts have not worked well because of an irregular cornea or severe dryness, a specialty fitting may open up another option. For scleral contact lens care in Fredericksburg, VA, call Vista Eye Specialists at 888-393-5264 or contact us to request an appointment with Lauren Richards, OD.