Can't Wear Standard Contacts Due to Keratoconus or Severe Dry Eye? Why Pendleton Patients Are Switching to Scleral Lenses

Contact lenses should provide clear, comfortable vision. However, standard soft contacts do not work well for every eye. Patients with keratoconus, severe dry eye, corneal scarring, or other irregularities may experience fluctuating vision, irritation, or lenses that will not stay properly positioned. For patients in Pendleton who have struggled with conventional contacts, scleral lenses may provide a more stable and comfortable alternative.

What Makes Scleral Lenses Different?

Standard contacts sit directly on the cornea. Scleral lenses are larger and designed to vault over the cornea, resting on the sclera - the white part of the eye. The space between the lens and the cornea is filled with sterile saline, creating a smooth optical surface and a fluid reservoir that keeps the eye hydrated.

Scleral lenses are also gas permeable, allowing oxygen to reach the surface of the eye. Their larger diameter can improve stability, reduce lens movement, and provide more consistent vision throughout the day.

Clearer Vision for Keratoconus

Keratoconus causes the cornea to become thinner and develop a cone-like shape. Because this irregular surface bends light unevenly, patients may experience distorted vision, glare, light sensitivity, or frequent prescription changes. Glasses and standard contacts may not provide adequate correction as the condition progresses.

A scleral lens creates a new, smooth refractive surface over the irregular cornea. Since the lens vaults over the cone rather than pressing directly against it, many patients experience sharper vision and improved comfort compared with conventional contact lenses.

Added Moisture for Severe Dry Eye

Severe dry eye can make regular contacts feel scratchy, tight, or painful. In some cases, lenses may dry out quickly and cause blurred vision before the day is over.

The saline reservoir beneath a scleral lens continuously bathes the cornea while the lens is worn. This moisture barrier can help protect the sensitive eye surface from exposure to dry air, wind, and other irritants. Eastern Oregon Family Eyecare includes scleral lenses among the specialty contact lens options that may deliver moisture to the eye’s surface.

Who May Benefit From Scleral Lenses?

A specialty contact lens evaluation may be appropriate for patients who:
 

•          Have keratoconus or another irregular corneal shape
 

•          Experience moderate to severe dry eye symptoms
 

•          Have corneal scarring or a previous eye injury
 

•          Cannot tolerate standard soft or rigid contacts
 

•          Need more stable vision from their contact lenses

We offer soft and specialty contact lenses for different vision requirements, including options for patients with dry eye, keratoconus, corneal abnormalities, and contact lens intolerance.

A Personalized Scleral Lens Fit in Pendleton

Scleral lenses are not one-size-fits-all. A precise evaluation is needed to determine the appropriate lens size, prescription, shape, and clearance over the cornea. Follow-up visits also allow the fit and vision to be adjusted as needed.

Schedule a contact lens exam and fitting with Eastern Oregon Family Eyecare to explore whether scleral lenses are right for your symptoms. Contact our office in Pendleton, OR, or call (541) 203-3159 to book an appointment today.