Scleral Lenses

Scleral Lenses

In 2014, I met a patient who came with his wife and two precious daughters. He didn’t say two words to me and his wife drove him there. It was his first eye exam as he failed to meet the vision requirements to get his driver’s license.

He couldn’t see the “big E” on the other side of the wall. I tried my hardest to get him to see better but he couldn’t see anything smaller than that “big E” or 20/400 despite my efforts. I looked at his cornea and it was not shaped like a sphere, it was shaped more like a cone. That condition is called keratoconus and in advanced cases, RGP lenses or scleral lenses are often needed to correct vision.

Why Use Contact Lenses?

Contact lenses are an excellent way to correct your vision without the hassle of eyeglasses. This is a good choice for people who play sports, are very active, have high prescription, or simply don’t like the look of eyeglasses. If you were told in the past that you’re not a good contact lens candidate, that is subject to change. There are continuous advancements in the materials and parameters of contact lenses, including RGP lenses and scleral lenses, to fit a larger percentage of people every year.

Contact lenses can also correct refractive errors of the eye, including conditions such as :

• Astigmatism, which is a more elongated cornea

• Myopia, or nearsightedness

• Hyperopia, also known as farsightedness

• Presbyopia, that's when we need reading glasses
  
  

How Do Scleral Lenses Help?

Contact lenses, including scleral lenses for dry eye, are designed to fit directly over the eye and physically correct any misshapen lenses and corneas causing your vision issues. However, in some people, regular contact lenses are not enough to correct the vision due to severe deformities of the eye or other conditions. In such cases, RGP lenses or scleral lenses Cypress specialists recommend can provide better results.

Conditions that can prevent people from using regular contact lenses include:

• Keratoconus, a growth on the cornea of the eye caused by a buildup of protein

• post-LASIK ectasia, when people develop thinning of the cornea after LASIK surgery.

• Severe Dry eyes, which can make regular contact lenses impossible to wear

• Post RK or Radial keratotomy, an old refractive surgery that caused very irregular corneas and glare.
  
  

By fitting over the entirety of the eye, scleral lenses Cypress patients use can provide maximum comfort and vision disorder treatment.

How an Optometrist Can Help

Dr. Weish will conduct an eye exam to determine which prescription RGP lenses or scleral lenses are right for you. A corneal scleral topographer is utilized to achieve a perfect fit.

Our team members are extremely patient and passionate about teaching new wearers how to wear scleral contact lenses, how to take off the lenses, and how to take care of them.

If you are deemed a good candidate for scleral lenses for dry eye or scleral lenses Cypress services, we will help you order your first set.

Get Care From an Eye Doctor Serving Katy

Call Carousel Eyecare today at (281) 828-2020 for more information on RGP lenses, scleral lenses for dry eye, or to schedule an appointment with our eye doctor serving Katy, Houston, Cinco Ranch, Fulshire, Sealy, Columbus, Cypress, Bridgeland, and surrounding areas.