How Can Scleral Lenses Help with Sensitive Corneas?

If you’ve been struggling with eye sensitivity, irritation, or discomfort from traditional contact lenses, you’re not alone. For individuals with sensitive corneas, even everyday activities can become a challenge. At Envision Eye Care, we often recommend scleral lenses as a safe and effective solution to help protect the eyes while delivering clear, comfortable vision.
 

Understanding Sensitive Corneas

A sensitive cornea may react negatively to environmental irritants, dryness, contact lens materials, or underlying conditions like keratoconus, dry eye syndrome, or corneal dystrophies. Symptoms can include burning, stinging, excessive tearing, light sensitivity, and discomfort with standard contact lenses. When the cornea is easily irritated, it’s essential to find a solution that protects the eye rather than aggravating it.
 

What Are Scleral Lenses?

Scleral lenses are larger gas-permeable contact lenses designed to vault over the cornea and rest on the white part of the eye (the sclera). This design allows a fluid reservoir to form between the lens and the cornea, offering both protection and hydration to sensitive eyes. Unlike traditional lenses that sit directly on the cornea, scleral lenses avoid corneal contact altogether, making them ideal for patients who experience discomfort with standard lenses.
 

Benefits of Scleral Lenses for Sensitive Corneas

• Enhanced Comfort: Scleral lenses create a cushion of preservative-free saline solution between the lens and the cornea, reducing friction and irritation. This helps shield the cornea from external irritants and offers lasting comfort throughout the day.

• Protection and Healing: The constant layer of moisture helps soothe dry or damaged corneal tissue, promoting healing while reducing sensitivity. This is particularly beneficial for patients with corneal scarring or post-surgical eyes.

• Stable and Clear Vision: Scleral lenses provide a smooth optical surface over irregular or sensitive corneas, improving visual clarity for individuals with conditions like keratoconus, astigmatism, or post-LASIK complications.

• Custom Fit: Each scleral lens is custom-made to fit the shape of your eye, ensuring minimal movement and maximum protection, even for those with highly sensitive or irregular corneal shapes.
   

Who Might Benefit from Scleral Lenses?

You may be a candidate for scleral lenses if you:

• Have been diagnosed with keratoconus or corneal irregularities

• Experience chronic dry eyes or ocular surface disease

• Have had difficulty wearing traditional contacts

• Have undergone corneal surgery or injury

• Are highly sensitive to environmental irritants
   

Schedule Your Comprehensive Eye Exam Today

Scleral lenses offer a gentle yet highly effective solution for patients with sensitive corneas. They provide comfort, protection, and exceptional vision correction. Our team specializes in advanced contact lens fittings and is dedicated to finding the best solution for your unique eye care needs.
 

If you're struggling with sensitive eyes or discomfort from your current lenses, schedule a comprehensive eye exam with Envision Eye Care to learn if scleral lenses are right for you. Call our Virginia offices in Marion at (276) 262-6546, Cedar Bluff at (276) 262-6668, or Abingdon at (276) 566-5478. For our Tennessee offices, call Bristol at (423) 427-2917 or Gray at (423) 264-2544 to book your appointment today.