Scleral Lenses
What are scleral lenses?
Scleral lenses are large, rigid contact lenses that rest on the white of the eye (the sclera) and vault over the cornea without touching it. The space between the lens and the cornea is filled with sterile saline, so the eye sits in a cushion of fluid all day. The smooth front surface of the lens replaces an irregular cornea optically, which is why scleral lenses can give sharp, comfortable vision when glasses and regular contacts can’t.
Dr. Christopher Tumolo, Dr. Vicky Than and Dr. Matthew Helsing fit scleral lenses at our Odessa and East Lake (Palm Harbor) offices.
How a scleral lens fitting works
- Map the cornea. Corneal topography on our Nidek OPD-Scan III shows the shape of the eye and how irregular it is.
- Diagnostic lenses. We place trial scleral lenses and check how they vault and land on the eye under the slit lamp.
- Refine the fit. Your lenses are custom ordered for your eye, then fine-tuned for clearance, comfort and vision. Most fittings take a few visits.
- Learn insertion and care. We teach you to fill, insert and remove the lenses before you take them home.
- Follow-up. We check the fit after you’ve worn the lenses for a few hours, then regularly to keep your eyes healthy.
Wearing and caring for scleral lenses
- Fill and insert each morning with preservative-free saline, using a small plunger or your fingertips.
- Wear them during the day and remove them at night. Don’t sleep in them unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
- Clean and store them with the solutions we recommend. Never use tap water.
- Expect an adjustment period of a week or two while insertion and removal become routine.
Insurance and coverage
When scleral lenses are needed to see clearly because of keratoconus or another corneal condition, many vision plans cover them as medically necessary contact lenses. Coverage varies by plan, so we check your benefits before ordering. FSA and HSA cards are welcome.
Common questions
What are scleral lenses?
Large rigid gas permeable contact lenses that rest on the white of the eye and vault over the cornea on a layer of saline. They give clear vision for irregular corneas and comfort for severe dry eye.
Do scleral lenses hurt?
Most people find them more comfortable than smaller rigid lenses, because they don’t touch the cornea and rest on the less sensitive white of the eye. There is a short learning curve for insertion and removal.
Who needs scleral lenses?
People with keratoconus, corneal ectasia after LASIK, corneal transplants, high or irregular astigmatism, or severe dry eye, and anyone whose vision can’t be corrected well with glasses or regular contacts.
How long does a scleral lens fitting take?
Usually a few visits over several weeks: the first fitting, a visit when the custom lenses arrive, and follow-ups to fine-tune the fit.
Can I sleep in scleral lenses?
No. Scleral lenses are worn during the day and removed at night.
Are scleral lenses covered by insurance?
Often, when they are medically necessary because of keratoconus or another corneal condition. Coverage varies by plan, and we check your benefits first.
Related: keratoconus and scleral lenses · scleral lenses in Palm Harbor · complex refractions with Dr. Tumolo · contact lenses
This page is general information, not medical advice for your situation.
Odessa (813) 926-5993 · East Lake (727) 242-8388