Scleral Lenses for Vision Restoration
How do scleral lenses work for keratoconus? To put it simply, the scleral lens works by masking our misshapen cornea, thus tricking our brain into believing we have a healthy cornea.
In this article we will discuss how the scleral lens works for those of us with keratoconus.
Scleral Lens Working to Create a Healthy Refractive Environment
As mentioned above, the lens masks our damaged cornea. The result is a temporary correction of our refraction error. For as long as we are wearing our scleral lenses for keratoconus, light passing through the eye will be focused and bent properly.
To be specific, this is as a result of the environment the scleral lens provides.
What is a Healthy Refractive Environment?
A healthy refractive environment refers to how light is being bent as it passes through the eye. To put it another way, light passing through a healthy cornea will be focused with precision to the retina and macula.
In contrast, to an unhealthy refractive environment as in our case due to keratoconus. Light passing through our refractive environment instead of resembling a precise laser, is sprayed and much of the light misses the intended target that is the macula.
Macula Needs Focused Light to Give us Clear Vision
The macula is a part of the retina located at the back of the eye. It is only about 5 mm across and is responsible for our central vision.
The highest concentration of photoreceptor cells can be found in macula. These are the cells that detect light. The more focused the light is on the macula the crisper and clearer our vision is.
Unfortunately with our understanding of what is keratoconus we know that due to our refractive error much of the light will not be focused to the macula.
Scleral Lens Creating a Healthy Refractive Environment
The scleral lens is the master of illusions. The lens masks our refractive error by replacing the damaged surface of cornea, temporarily, with a smooth healthy surface, thus creating a healthy refractive environment.
Filling the Scleral Lens with Solution
The surface of our cornea is damaged with peaks, dips, odd curvatures and different thicknesses.
This fluid, along with the solid scleral lens itself, helps to give us a healthy shaped cornea. As a result, reducing refractive errors.
Proper Fit of Scleral Lens Crucial
How well the lens works will be largely determined by the comfort of our lens. If our lens is intolerable, there is a much higher chance of us opting out of wearing sclerals.
To put it differently, no matter how well the lens restores our vision, if the lack of comfort diminishes our quality of life with keratoconus we might have some tough decisions ahead of us.
Know Your Practitioner
Fitting someone for scleral lenses is an acquired expertise. Ideally we like to have a practitioner who has a proven track record of successful fits.
Someone who keeps up on the technology and is always on the lookout for the latest software to make their fits even more successful.
How Uncomfortable are Scleral Contact Lens?
How uncomfortable are scleral contact lens? As an example, I got my sclerals in August 2017. I find them extremely comfortable. The scleral lens vaults over the cornea and rests on the less sensitive white part of the eye called the scleral. The lens should not touch the cornea.
One Size Does Not Fit All
The lens is highly customizable. The ability for the lens to be customized, in addition to comfort, allows the scleral lens to work well restoring vision for those of us that suffer from keratoconus.
How Long Do Scleral Lenses Last?
From my personal experience, if maintained well. Sclerals can last anywhere from 3 to five years, even longer. The only time I’ve had to change my lens was to adjust the fit. I’ve also heard of some who have had to change them every year. However, this is something you will discuss with your practitioner.
To Summerize
How do scleral lenses work for keratoconus?The scleral lens works for keratoconus by restoring our vision. The refractive error caused by keratoconus is corrected with the creation of a temporary healthy refractive environment the sclerals provide.
If you or someone you know is looking into restoring vision loss due to keratoconus, ask a medical professional about the scleral lens for keratoconus.
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