Scleral Contact Lenses: Advanced Solutions for Complex Vision

When traditional glasses and standard contact lenses fall short of providing the clear, comfortable vision you deserve, scleral contact lenses represent a breakthrough solution that’s transforming lives across West Broward County and beyond. These advanced contact lenses offer hope for individuals with complex eye conditions who previously had limited options for achieving optimal vision.

At West Broward Eyecare Associates, we understand that your vision challenges are unique to you. Whether you’re dealing with an irregular cornea, severe dry eyes, or complications from previous eye surgery, scleral lenses might be the game-changing solution you’ve been seeking.

What Are Scleral Contact Lenses?

Scleral contact lenses are large-diameter, custom-designed gas-permeable lenses that rest on the white part of your eye (the sclera) rather than directly on the cornea like traditional contacts. Think of them as creating a protective dome over your entire cornea, with a reservoir of sterile fluid between the lens and your eye’s surface.

Key Design Features

Unlike standard contact lenses that typically measure 9-14 millimeters in diameter, scleral lenses range from 15-24 millimeters, completely vaulting over the cornea. This unique design allows them to bypass corneal irregularities entirely, creating a new, perfectly smooth optical surface for light to pass through.

The space between the lens and cornea fills with preservative-free saline solution, creating what eye care professionals call a “liquid bandage” effect. This design feature makes scleral contact lenses particularly beneficial for eyes with compromised surfaces or complex conditions.

Revolutionary Benefits for Complex Vision Needs

Superior Vision Quality

Research consistently demonstrates that scleral lenses can achieve significant vision improvements for many people with complex vision challenges. Studies show visual acuity improvements of multiple Snellen lines, with some patients achieving 20/20 or better vision depending on their underlying condition.

For patients with keratoconus, corneal scarring, or post-surgical complications, the improvement in visual acuity can be life-changing. Many patients report high levels of satisfaction with their vision and comfort when wearing scleral lenses, with some experiencing dramatic improvements in daily functionality.

Exceptional Comfort and Stability

Despite their larger size, scleral contact lenses often provide superior comfort compared to smaller rigid gas-permeable lenses. Because scleral lenses rest on the less sensitive surface of the sclera and are designed to fit with little or no lens movement during blinks, they often provide more comfortable and stable vision throughout the day.

The fluid reservoir between the lens and cornea provides continuous hydration, making these advanced contact lenses ideal for individuals with dry eye syndrome. This lubricating cushion helps create a highly comfortable wearing experience while keeping your eyes as healthy as possible.

Long-lasting Durability

Because they are rigid gas permeable (“hard”) contact lenses, scleral lenses are typically durable and long-lasting, made of high-quality materials that easily withstand normal wear for extended periods. This durability makes them cost-effective over time, despite the higher initial investment compared to traditional soft lenses.

Conditions That Benefit from Scleral Contact Lenses

Keratoconus and Corneal Irregularities

Keratoconus represents the most common condition requiring scleral lens wear, accounting for 36.2% of cases in comprehensive clinical studies. These advanced contact lenses can accommodate even severe corneal irregularities by completely bypassing the affected area.

For individuals with keratoconus, scleral contact lenses often provide the only path to functional vision without surgical intervention. The lenses create a smooth optical surface that masks the irregular corneal shape, allowing light to focus properly on the retina.

Post-Surgical Complications

Scleral lenses offer promising solutions for individuals who have undergone LASIK or other refractive surgeries and continue experiencing vision challenges. Even after successful surgery, some patients experience:

• Residual refractive errors
• Persistent dry eye symptoms
• Higher-order aberrations affecting night vision
• Irregular healing patterns

These specialized lenses can address these complications effectively, often providing better vision than additional surgical procedures.

Severe Dry Eye Disease

Multiple studies have demonstrated the efficacy of scleral contact lenses in successfully healing refractory corneal epithelial defects through their liquid bandage effect and mechanical protection from the eyelids. The continuous fluid reservoir provides relief for conditions such as:

• Sjögren’s syndrome
• Stevens-Johnson syndrome
• Graft-versus-host disease
• Chemical burns and injuries

Complex Prescription Needs

Patients with high myopia, extreme astigmatism, or presbyopia who cannot be adequately corrected with standard lenses often find success with scleral options. These advanced contact lenses serve as an effective non-surgical solution for complex refractive errors that traditional glasses cannot fully address.

The Latest 2025 Advances in Scleral Lens Technology

Cutting-Edge Materials and Design

Research and development in scleral lens technology have made significant strides in 2025, broadening applications, improving structural materials and designs, and adapting to benefit a diverse range of patients facing numerous pathologies. Modern scleral lenses utilize advanced materials like fluorosilicone acrylates and silicone hydrogels that combine optimal oxygen permeability with superior wettability.

Advanced Fitting Technologies

Technology advancements in scleral lens design are promoting efficiency in the fitting process and increasing customization capabilities. New profilometry devices can map the entire eye surface, allowing for precise lens design without extensive trial fitting sessions.

These innovations include:

• Corneal topography mapping
• Optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging
• 3D corneal and scleral modeling
• Computer-aided lens design

Wavefront-Guided Optics

Advanced wavefront technology can correct higher-order aberrations that standard glasses and contacts miss, helping to eliminate glare, ghosting, and halos. This technology acts like “noise-canceling headphones for your vision,” reducing visual distortions for unprecedented clarity.

Scientific Evidence Supporting Scleral Lens Benefits

Study 1: Long-term Effectiveness Research (2025)

A systematic review published in Cureus evaluated the long-term effectiveness of scleral lenses in improving visual outcomes, patient satisfaction, and safety in patients with keratoconus. The research demonstrated substantial and sustained improvements in visual acuity and quality of life for keratoconus patients, particularly those with advanced disease.

Study 2: Market Growth and Innovation (2025)

The scleral contact lens market is experiencing robust growth, with market valuations ranging from $350-387 million in 2025, projected to reach $770-1,010 million by 2032-2037, exhibiting growth rates between 8.1% to 11.6% CAGR. This growth reflects increasing awareness of benefits and technological improvements in comfort and fitting. Note: Market size estimates vary significantly among research firms due to different methodologies and market segmentation approaches.

Study 3: Clinical Applications Research (2025)

A study conducted at Emory University showed that daily use of scleral lenses improved keratopathy grades, prevented fornix shortening progression, and improved vision in 20 patients (36 eyes) fitted for ocular cicatricial pemphigoid management, with 96% of fitted eyes responding well to therapy.

Professional Fitting: The Key to Success

The Importance of Expertise

Scleral lenses require precise customization, and every patient’s condition is different, with varying degrees of severity. At West Broward Eyecare Associates, our experienced team understands that successful scleral lens fitting combines advanced technology with clinical expertise.

Why professional fitting matters:

• Custom measurements for optimal comfort
• Proper vault assessment to prevent corneal touch
• Peripheral landing zone evaluation
• Ongoing monitoring and adjustments

The Comprehensive Fitting Process

The journey to perfect scleral lenses typically involves several carefully orchestrated steps:

1. Initial Comprehensive Eye Examination Our detailed assessment includes eye health evaluation, vision needs analysis, and corneal condition assessment to determine candidacy for scleral contact lenses.

2. Advanced Corneal Mapping Using state-of-the-art topography equipment, we map your eye surface with precision, creating a detailed blueprint for custom lens design.

3. Custom Lens Design and Trial Fitting Based on precise measurements, we design custom scleral lenses and conduct trial fittings to ensure optimal comfort and vision correction.

4. Training and Adaptation Period We provide comprehensive training on insertion, removal, and care techniques, supporting you through the adaptation period.

5. Ongoing Follow-up Care Regular monitoring ensures optimal performance and eye health throughout your scleral lens journey.

What Patients Can Expect

Patients consistently report comfort as the most prominent feature of scleral lenses, with typical responses being “fine” or “I can’t feel them at all.” Most patients adapt to scleral lenses within a few days to weeks, experiencing dramatic improvements in both vision quality and comfort.

Common adaptation timeline:

• Day 1-3: Learning insertion and removal
• Week 1-2: Increasing wearing time gradually
• Week 3-4: Full-day comfortable wear
• Ongoing: Regular follow-ups for optimal performance

Caring for Your Advanced Contact Lenses

Proper care ensures optimal performance and longevity of your scleral contact lenses:

Daily Care Routine

• Fresh saline filling before each insertion using a preservative-free solution
• Gentle cleaning with approved solutions after removal
• Proper storage in clean, designated containers
• Regular replacement as recommended by your eye care professional

Professional Maintenance

• Routine follow-up visits to monitor eye health and lens performance
• Professional deep cleaning when needed
• Lens parameter adjustments as your eyes or prescription change
• Replacement schedule based on lens condition and wearing patterns

Is Scleral Lens Treatment Right for You?

Consider scleral contact lenses if you experience:

Vision-Related Symptoms:

• Blurry or fluctuating vision despite the best glasses prescription
• Poor night vision with halos or glare
• Difficulty with detailed tasks like reading or driving

Contact Lens Challenges:

• Contact lens discomfort with traditional lenses
• Lenses that move excessively or fall out frequently
• Inability to achieve clear vision with standard contacts

Medical Conditions:

• Diagnosed corneal irregularities such as keratoconus
• Post-surgical vision problems are not correctable with standard lenses
• Severe dry eye symptoms affecting daily activities
• Corneal scarring or irregular astigmatism

Resources and Citations

The following scientific and market research sources were utilized in the development of this article:

Key Research Sources

1. International Journal of Ophthalmology – Scleral Lens Research Analysis (2025) Bibliometric and visual analysis of scleral contact lenses: global characteristics and research trends from 1976 to 2023

• Source: https://www.sciopen.com/article/10.18240/ijo.2025.04.21
• Published: April 18, 2025
• Key Finding: Analysis of 498 research articles showing a significant yearly increase in scleral lens publications, with Contact Lens & Anterior Eye and Eye & Contact Lens being the most influential journals for scleral lens research.

2. Fortune Business Insights – Global Scleral Lens Market Report (2025) Scleral Lens Market Size, Growth | Global Research Report 2032

• Source: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/scleral-lens-market-106557
• Market Data: Global market valued at $356.6 million in 2025, projected to reach $770.6 million by 2032 at 11.6% CAGR
• Key Finding: North America dominates with 40.64% market share, driven by the growing prevalence of ocular disorders and favorable reimbursement policies.

3. Cureus Medical Journal – Long-term Effectiveness Research (2025) Long-Term Effectiveness of Scleral Lens Treatment in the Management of Keratoconus: A Systematic Review

• Source: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11707714/
• Published: January 7, 2025
• Key Finding: Systematic review demonstrating substantial and sustained improvements in visual acuity and quality of life for keratoconus patients using scleral lenses.

Take the Next Step Toward Clearer Vision

At West Broward Eyecare Associates, we believe that everyone deserves the gift of clear, comfortable vision. Our experienced team combines cutting-edge technology with the personalized attention your family has come to expect from your neighborhood vision guardians.

Whether you’re dealing with keratoconus, post-surgical complications, or simply haven’t found success with other vision correction options, scleral contact lenses might be the advanced solution you’ve been seeking.

Ready to explore how advanced contact lens technology can transform your vision? Our comprehensive scleral lens consultation process includes:

• Complete eye health evaluation
• Advanced corneal mapping and measurement
• Custom lens design and trial fitting
• Comprehensive training and support
• Ongoing care and monitoring

Contact West Broward Eyecare Associates today to schedule your comprehensive scleral lens consultation. Our team is here to guide you through every step of the journey toward a clearer, more comfortable vision.

Your clearest vision awaits. Call us today or visit our office to learn more about how scleral lenses can enhance your quality of life.