Contact lenses provide distinct advantages over glasses; however, they haven’t always been ideal for everyone. Some people have found them uncomfortable, while others felt they were incapable of addressing their vision problems. Scleral lenses put both of those concerns to rest, and they are available at Vivid Sight Optometry in Walnut Creek, CA.
How are Scleral Lenses Different?
Traditional contact lenses sit directly on the cornea of the eye. Accordingly, those with an unusually shaped cornea or anyone who has received a corneal implant may find them exceedingly difficult to wear. But even those with normal corneas may, too, find regular contacts uncomfortable, as they can cause increased symptoms of dry eyes. Unlike traditional contacts, scleral lenses vault over the top of the cornea and rest on the sclera or whites of the eyes.
In addition, there is a tear reservoir that sits between the cornea and the lens itself and serves to keep the eye moist. These differences make them more comfortable and mean that individuals with certain visual ailments can now wear contacts as well. That’s because the size and shape of scleral contacts make it possible to correct refractive errors that were previously only managed with eyeglasses or bifocals.
What Vision Problems Can They Help Manage?
Scleral lenses are ideal for managing a variety of vision problems, including:
- Astigmatism
- Corneal irregularities
- Dry eyes
- Keratoconus, a condition whereby a thinning cornea may become cone-shaped and bulging
Hybrid Scleral Lenses
A hybrid form of scleral lenses and gas-permeable contacts makes it possible to enjoy the best of both types. These lenses contain a more flexible, gas-permeable material and have the same fit as regular scleral contacts. Accordingly, they hold their shape well, yet are still easy enough for everyday wear.
Hybrid lenses are perfect for treating common conditions such as myopia (nearsightedness) or presbyopia (farsightedness). So if you’ve been considering contacts but thought they were too bothersome, a scleral version could be right for you. As with regular scleral lenses, a custom contact fitting is required to wear a hybrid type.
Schedule Your Custom Contact Fitting in Walnut Creek, CA
Could you benefit from wearing scleral lenses or contact lenses? If you’ve been interested in contacts but thought you were not a good candidate, visit Vivid Sight Optometry. Our optometrists in Walnut Creek offer custom solutions to correct a variety of vision issues. Call our team today at (925) 932-4362 to learn more or to schedule an appointment.
