ALTERNATIVES TO REGULAR CONTACTS LENSES
Focal Pointe Eye Care is THE leading eye care practices in the Cincinnati area for fitting patients with specialized scleral contact lenses.
Scleral lenses may be a good alternative for patients who have been told they are 'too hard to fit' for regular contact lenses, have had surgeries like Lasik or RK, or their vision isn't as clear as it should be while wearing glasses.
If you have been frustrated or disappointed because you haven't been able to wear contact lenses for any of the above or even other reasons, give us a call and ask if scleral lenses might be right for you.
Because every pair of eyes are unique, if scleral lenses aren't the best option for you, our skilled eye doctors can review other options that may be more appropriate, allowing you to potentially put your glasses away and even improve your vision.
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WHAT ARE SCLERAL LENSES
A scleral lens is a specialized contact lens used to manage a variety of eye conditions.
It is made of a plastic that is clear and rigid, yet the material allows the eye to breathe, keeping it healthy.
A scleral lens is slightly larger than most soft contact lenses and is designed to rest on the white (less sensitive) part of the eye called the sclera. That is why it’s called a scleral lens!
This unique design makes the lens very comfortable to wear, all day long.
WHY CHOOSE FOCAL POINTE FOR SCLERAL LENSES
Dr. Lyons is one of the leading fitters of scleral lenses in the Cincinnati region. He was trained by one of the innovators in scleral lens design in 2006 and hasn’t looked back since. He is a proud member and Fellow of the Scleral Lens Education Society.
Dr. Lyon's expertise in fitting scleral lenses is recognized worldwide.
In 2018, he was invited to share his knowledge at a multi-day conference in China with leading Chinese optometric physicians.
In his presentations, Dr. Lyon's emphasized how life changing these lenses can be for patients that had given up hope of regaining clear vision. He describes this as simply changing outcomes for his patients. They are no longer limited by the constraints of poor vision, and that has resulted in many new opportunities or outcomes for his patients.
HOW DOES A SCLERAL LENS WORK?
The eye is very similar to a camera – the cornea and lens of the eye (camera lenses) focus light to the retina (the film). In order for your visual system to properly process images, the eye requires a smooth surface – and the smoother the surface, the clearer your vision.
Just like smudges on a camera lens, an irregular cornea will negatively impact your vision. A scleral lens is made of a stiff, yet thin, plastic that fits over the cornea, providing a smooth surface for the eye.
This allows the eye to focus better, improving your vision. Additionally, a scleral lens is designed to hold a reservoir of fluid against the eye. This provides constant moisture to the ocular surface, making the lens very comfortable to wear.
WHY IS A SCLERAL LENS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Keratoconic eye wearing a scleral lens. The green dye helps show how the fluid is trapped against the corneal to provide clear vision
Vision:
Because the scleral lens plastic is stiff, it provides a smooth, clear refracting surface for the eye. This can lead to vision that is much improved, usually better than eyeglasses and traditional contact lenses.
Moisture: A scleral lens holds fluid against the eye acting as a clear “liquid bandage.” This helps to keep the eye moist and can help to heal extremely dry eyes. It is almost like applying an artificial tear or lubricating drop into the eye every minute of every day.
Comfort: Traditional gas permeable lenses are much smaller than scleral lenses.
They sit directly on the highly sensitive cornea of the eye and interact with the eyelids during a blink. This can create sensation when traditional lenses are worn, and it can take weeks to months to grow accustomed to these lenses. A scleral lens rests on the less sensitive sclera of the eye and is held in place by the eyelids. This creates a more comfortable wearing experience and allows most people to adapt to them quickly.
Rita P's Specialty Contact Lens Experience
“My name is Rita and about 10 years ago, I was diagnosed with kerataconus. (Most peoples corneas look like half a marble, smooth and clean. My corneas look like a mountain range).
During a five year period I was fitted three different times unsuccessfully for glasses. Then I was diagnosed with this corneal disease. I decided to try University of Cincinnati-Cincinnati Eye Institute in search of a corneal specialist and found Dr. Lyons.
Amazingly, he fit me nearly perfectly the first time with hard lenses.
It was so wonderful to be able to see again. I did not realize how bad my eyes really were.
I have followed Dr. Lyons from UC-CEI to his new business Focal Pointe Eye Care. I appreciate his expertise and willingness to stay on the cutting edge of technology. I also love the staff.
I live in Northern Kentucky and make the trip to see him in West Chester. The trip is always worth it.
Due to my night shift in the Emergency Room, I had a terrible problem with dry eyes. After trying different remedies, he suggested Scleral Lenses. These are specialized lenses designed to keep moisture in the eyes.
Since then, he has fitted me four times with new lenses. Most recently, now that I am 48, I require bifocal lenses. He has fitted me again, nearly perfectly with bifocal Scleral lenses. I still need reading glasses occasionally when my eyes are very tired, however, thanks to Dr. Lyons knowledge, I can see great again.Thanks for giving me near perfect vision!”
WHO IS A CANDIDATE FOR SCLERAL LENSES?
Medical Eye Conditions
If you have been told you have any of the following medical conditions, you may be a candidate for scleral contact lenses:
- Corneal ectasia such as keratoconus, pellucid marginal degeneration, and keratoglobus
- Corneal deformities following a corneal transplant (keratoplasty) or refractive treatment such as LASIK and radial keratotomy (RK)
- Severe dry eye due to disorders of the lacrimal gland such as keratoconjunctivitis sicca, Sjogren’s syndrome, and graft-versus-host disease
- Corneal surface irregularities due to ocular surface disease, anterior corneal dystrophies, and scars
- Neurotrophic keratitis resulting from herpes simplex or zoster keratitis, diabetes, and other nerve disorders
- Recurrent corneal epithelial erosions due to a fragile epithelium
- Intolerance to traditional contact lenses
Corneal Topography: Keratoconus (left) in comparison to a normal cornea (right)
Other eye conditions
Scleral lenses are generally indicated for patients who have corneal irregularities, dry eyes, or those who cannot comfortably wear traditional contact lenses. Patients of any age can wear scleral lenses.
- Thinning or bulging of the front of your eye (keratoconus)
- Eye shape irregularities following eye surgery like Lasik, RK, PRK, or eye injury
- Severe dry eye symptoms
- Nerve disorders of the eye
- Patients experiencing recurring corneal erosion
- Traditional contact lenses aren't comfortable or effective
HOW TO USE SCLERAL LENSES
Because scleral contacts are larger than other contact lenses and they are designed to contain fluid, the steps to insert and remove them are different.
This video demonstrates the proper steps to insert and remove scleral lenses.
Regular contact lenses are not for everyone. Patients with certain medical conditions or who are unable to tolerate regular contact lenses may be good candidates for scleral contact lenses. Focal Pointe Eye Care is one of the leading scleral contact lens fitters in the tri-state area of Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. Contact us today to schedule a consultation at 513-779-3937.