Scleral Lenses

Chronic dry eye disease causes a myriad of painful, irritating symptoms and affects millions of people. It can be caused by a variety of factors, but one of the main causes is ocular surface disease. Ocular surface disease refers to a group of conditions that affect the health of the ocular surface. The ocular surface is the outermost surface of the eye, and it is made up of several components, including: 

• The cornea, which is the clear, outermost layer of the eye that helps to focus light. 
• The conjunctiva, which is a thin, transparent mucous membrane that lines the inner surface of the eyelids and covers the white part of the eye (the sclera). 
• The lacrimal apparatus, which includes the lacrimal gland, which produces tears, and the lacrimal ducts, which drain tears into the nasal cavity. 
• The meibomian glands, which are small glands located along the rim of the eyelids that secrete an oily substance (meibum) that helps to stabilize the tear film. 

All these parts work together to keep the surface of the eye moist and protected from infection and injury. Clear and comfortable vision requires a healthy ocular surface. If ocular surface disease is present, chronic dry eye can be an unfortunate result. A treatment or management solution for ocular surface disease, including chronic dry eyes, are scleral lenses.  

What are scleral lenses?  

Scleral lenses are a type of contact lens that is larger in diameter than traditional contact lenses and are designed to vault over the entire cornea and rest on the “white” of the eye (the sclera). Scleral lenses are customized for the individual and can provide more comfort and better vision for people who have chronic dry eye disease. 

How do scleral lenses provide relief from dry eye disease? 

Scleral lenses are designed to provide a tear-filled reservoir that covers the entire corneal surface and extends onto the sclera. The fluid reservoir created by the lens helps to provide relief for people who have chronic dry eye due to ocular surface disease by keeping the cornea and conjunctiva hydrated and reducing exposure to the air.  

Additionally, scleral lenses can also reduce the amount of inflammation on the ocular surface and protect the eye from environmental irritants. It works by creating a barrier between the lens and the eye, keeping the cornea hydrated. It also acts as a physical bandage which helps to reduce the amount of inflammation on the ocular surface. 

Scleral lenses for dry eye disease 

The eye doctors at Avon Vision Associates and New Hartford Eye Associates specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of dry eye disease due to ocular surface disease, and fit patients in customized scleral lenses. The first step is to schedule an evaluation for dry eye disease at our office. Contact us today!