Refesh PM vs Scleral Lens

[saralynn143]

This is a comparison of two methods of eye care in addition to a platinum eyelid weight that aids in nighttime lid closure, but does not give a full blink.

Before

Components:

• Refresh PM ointment. Multiple tubes stashed in bathroom, desk, purse, pockets, glovebox, etc.

Pros:

• Simple
• Moderate cost
• Little time investment
• Relatively healthy cornea

Cons:

• Blurry vision
• Spillover of extra ointment on face
• Mental fatigue

After

Components:

• Scleral gas permeable contact lens
• Lens inserter and remover
• Sterile saline vials
• Cleaning solution and disinfecting solution
• Thera Tears Gel drops
• Quartz silicon eye shield

Pros:

• Healthy cornea with full epithelalization
• Clear vision
• No more mental fatigue
• Able to wear eye makeup

Cons:

• Time consuming
• Requires many products
• Expensive

Is it worth it? That would be two enthusiastic thumbs up!

Full review and scleral lens care tips in this week's weblog: http://www.sarahartman.com/dry-eye-triumph/

[tamim.horizon]

Hi Sara

thanks for the comparison you gave. Could you gie me some idea how much does scleral lense cost and can i buy them from shop? I am kind of frustrated about my eyes. Doctors said they want to observe every three months. I had paltinum chain and tursorraphy also. Apperantly doctors have nothing more to do. could you please advise?
Thanks
Tamim

[saralynn143]

Tamin, scleral lenses vary in price. I've seen some people quote $250 per lens. Mine was around $750. Truly custom ones run in the $3000+ range.

By "buy them from shop" do you mean at a local store? The lenses are custom fitted, so they must be prescribed by an ophthalmologist or optometrist.

Here is a thread I found at Dry Eye Talk about sclerals in Australia. Hope it helps. http://www.dryeyezone.com/talk/showthread.php?16981-Scleral-Lenses