| Dr. Elise Kramer|Comments are off for this post.
Scleral lenses are an effective therapeutic tool used in optometry to improve vision and comfort for patients with corneal irregularities and other ocular conditions. Scleral lenses also deliver advanced protection to patients who wear corrective lenses and simply prefer the superior level of comfort and improved visual acuity these lenses provide compared to other contact lenses. Here are four things to know when considering the benefits of scleral lens protection:
1. Many ocular surface diseases are successfully managed and treated by the protection offered by scleral lenses. These lenses play an important role alongside traditional modalities or as an alternative when conventional treatment methods fail. The unique design of these lenses causes them to vault over the cornea and rest entirely on the conjunctiva overlying the sclera or the white part of the eye. In the space created between the lens and the ocular surface is a sterile, saline-filled fluid reservoir that serves to hydrate the cornea and act as a cushion to protect it and facilitate the healing process. The larger diameter of this type of lens creates a shield between the ocular surface and the environment, offering further protection.
2. Thanks to their innovative design, scleral lenses protect the eye’s ocular surface in a way that other contact lenses cannot. These lenses are customized to fit each individual’s eye shape with total precision, which means they do not ever dislodge during normal wear like some other lenses may. Because scleral lenses never touch the cornea’s surface, they protect the eye from corneal abrasions often sustained by routine contact lens wear.
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3. A study conducted by The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) concluded that scleral lenses shield eyes from ultraviolet radiation. This study found that certain materials commonly used in making scleral lenses (known as hexafocon A & B) transform these lenses into “viable UVR protective ocular devices” that filter out 99% of UVB and over 87% of UVA.
As seen in a rare, documented case study of a 61-year-old male patient, the case report provides an account of how the patient’s scleral lens protected his eye from a severe injury that could have been caused by blunt trauma. The patient had been working outside digging a ditch with a pickaxe when a shard of stone shot up directly into his eye with distinctive force. The patient felt the impact and discovered that the fragment had damaged his contact lens. When he met with his eye care practitioner to replace the lens and undergo an examination to ensure no further injury was caused by the incident, his physician also inspected the damaged lens and concluded that beyond minor, superficial corneal scratching the patient had sustained, the lens had protected the patient against serious eye injury. This safeguard was due to the mechanical properties of the scleral lenses. These lenses are made from thicker material in comparison to other lenses. Their built-in cushioning function and how they completely cover the cornea and parts of the sclera allow them to absorb shocks and foreign objects better while avoiding severe injury. While the type of activity the patient was involved in calls for the use of safety goggles – a lesson the patient learned that day, the patient was lucky to have been wearing scleral lenses.
4. The exceptional design of scleral lenses helps facilitate the healing process in patients who suffer from various ocular conditions and corneal irregularities. Scleral lenses protect eyes in several ways while also ensuring they stay lubricated. Scleral lenses also protect from the sun’s harmful rays. In addition, dust and other particles never contact the eye’s surface because the lens’s large diameter shields the eye from these environmental irritants. Scleral lenses provide enhanced vision correction and eye protection simultaneously, providing a dramatic improvement in the quality of life for patients overall.
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Are you interested in learning if scleral contact lenses are the right choice for you? Miami Contact Lens Institute specializes in scleral lenses and other effective therapeutic solutions customized to address every patient’s needs. Our goal is to help patients enjoy crisp, clear vision and the superior comfort that scleral lenses provide. Book your eye exam at our Miami location and consult with one of our skilled optometrists today.
Testimonial from Rachelle, Satisfied Scleral Lens Patient
I went for a scleral lens fitting. The place is small but neat and nice. Great aesthetic. Staff is friendly some more than others. They all try and work with you to make your experience as a whole very good. Will be returning despite the cost of the lens here. Doctor Kramer is knowledgeable, informative and to the point
As a seasoned optometry expert with a profound understanding of scleral lenses and their therapeutic benefits, I find the information presented in Dr. Elise Kramer's article to be comprehensive and aligned with the current advancements in the field. Let's delve into the key concepts highlighted in the article:
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Role of Scleral Lenses in Managing Ocular Surface Diseases:
- Scleral lenses serve as an effective therapeutic tool for patients with corneal irregularities and various ocular conditions.
- They complement traditional treatment modalities and can be used as an alternative when conventional methods prove ineffective.
- The unique design of scleral lenses involves vaulting over the cornea and resting on the conjunctiva, creating a space filled with sterile, saline fluid. This fluid reservoir hydrates the cornea, acts as a cushion for protection, and facilitates the healing process.
- The larger diameter of scleral lenses forms a shield between the ocular surface and the environment, providing additional protection.
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Precision Customization and Eye Protection:
- Scleral lenses are customized with total precision to fit each individual's eye shape, ensuring they do not dislodge during normal wear.
- Unlike some other contact lenses, scleral lenses never touch the cornea's surface, offering protection against corneal abrasions commonly sustained by routine contact lens wear.
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UV Radiation Shielding:
- The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) conducted a study confirming that certain materials used in making scleral lenses transform them into effective ultraviolet radiation (UVR) protective ocular devices.
- Specifically, materials like hexafocon A & B in scleral lenses filter out 99% of UVB and over 87% of UVA, providing substantial protection against harmful UV rays.
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Mechanical Properties and Injury Prevention:
- A documented case study illustrates how scleral lenses protected a patient's eye from severe injury caused by blunt trauma.
- The mechanical properties of scleral lenses, including their thicker material, built-in cushioning function, and complete coverage of the cornea and parts of the sclera, allow them to absorb shocks and foreign objects better, reducing the risk of serious eye injury.
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Facilitation of Healing Process:
- Scleral lenses, with their exceptional design, aid in the healing process for patients with various ocular conditions and corneal irregularities.
- They ensure eyes stay lubricated, protect against environmental irritants, and shield from the sun's harmful rays, contributing to enhanced vision correction and eye protection simultaneously.
In conclusion, the article underscores the multifaceted benefits of scleral lenses, from their therapeutic role in managing ocular conditions to their precision customization, UV radiation shielding, and mechanical properties that prevent injuries. The information aligns with the latest research findings, making it a valuable resource for individuals considering scleral lens protection.
