The two most prevalent forms of contact lenses are rigid and flexible. Often, hard lenses are gas-permeable, allowing oxygen to enter the cornea. Soft contact lenses are smaller than scleral lenses. They are solid, retain their form, and rest on the sclera surrounding the cornea.
Similar to other contact lenses, scleral lenses fix refractive problems that cause impaired eyesight. They can treat:
- Nearsightedness (myopia) (myopia)
- Farsightedness (hyperopia) (hyperopia)
- impaired vision (astigmatism)
- Age-related difficulty with near eyesight (presbyopia)
Gas-permeable material composes scleral contact lenses. They allow oxygen to penetrate the cornea. If your corneas have an irregular shape, such as in the case of astigmatism or keratoconus, scleral lenses are beneficial. After LASIK (laser in-situ keratomileusis), a surgical procedure used to correct refractive problems, or corneal transplants, scleral lenses can also be used. The gap between the scleral lens and the eye is a saline-filled reservoir. Scleral lenses are pleasant for dry-eyed individuals.
Cons of Scleral Contact Lenses
Scleral lenses are advantageous for those who cannot use other varieties. Nevertheless, they have a few drawbacks:
- Not all optometrists and ophthalmologists offer these services. These lenses require specific instruction.
- Soft contact lenses are four to five times more costly than scleral lenses. Nonetheless, they can be utilised much longer.
- Throughout the day, scleral lenses typically acquire dirt and must be cleaned.
- They occasionally lose their footing.
- After using soft lenses, adjusting to scleral lenses might be difficult.
Scleral Lenses vs Contact Lenses
Soft contact lenses are placed directly on the cornea. The majority of individuals find them to be soft and comfortable to wear. Those with dry eye illness, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, Sjogren’s syndrome, keratoconus (an irregularly shaped cornea), and graft-versus-host disease may find these contact lenses irritating. Those who have had corneal surgery may also be unable to wear conventional contact lenses.
Scleral lenses are bigger than corneal lenses. Most range in diameter from 14 to 24 millimetres. They leap across the cornea and land on the sclera, the white, rough portion of the eye. This fluid keeps the eyes moist for a longer duration.
Scleral lenses are not a new invention. Its advantages in terms of corneal oxygenation have been recognised for decades. They protect the cornea from hypoxia damage and may restore prior damage.
Solution for Scleral Contact Lenses
Always use solutions designed for contact lens storage and maintenance. Never use water or any type of detergent solution on your contact lenses. Scleral contact lenses may be cleaned and disinfected with a multipurpose contact lens solution. Moreover, these remedies condition your lenses. The storage case should be replaced every three months.
Some solutions for lens cleaning involve hydrogen peroxide. Moreover, these treatments clean and disinfect your lenses. Moreover, they dismantle and eliminate trapped detritus, protein, and fatty deposits. Hydrogen peroxide can harm your eyes. You must use a neutraliser that makes inserting your contact lenses safe. Neutralisers are always included in kits for cleaning lenses with hydrogen peroxide. Place your contact lenses in the neutraliser for a minimum of six hours.
