Tips on getting scleral lenses

[vickieastwood]

Scleral lens are a wonderful solution for those of us with eye issues. They have helped me so much I wanted to share what I've learned with others. Here are my tips on starting the process.

1. scleral lens are measured by a special machine that takes thousands of measurements of your eye.

2. There are many ophthalmologists and corneal specialists who don't know anything about scleral lenses. Optometrists specializing in contact lenses seem to know more about them. Look for someone who specializes in sclerals and has the equipment to get your measurements.

3. People with Keritakosis(sp?) or dry eye disease also benefit from scleral lenses. Search for that, too to find a scleral provider.

4. Scleral lenses are pretty expensive but very much worth it. I learned that eye insurance may cover your scleral lenses, it usually covers for Keritakosis and your scleral eye care provider should be able to make the case for you to be covered as well. Mine were covered at 100% after ,y provider got involved.  Talk to your eye insurance, find someone who takes your insurance and escalate if you need to in order to get coverage.

Next I will think about tips on putting in and taking out your lenses. Feel free to post your tips too!

[alabamajane]

Thanks for the info ,,, very informative and interesting!

[jessonia]

Thanks for this info, Vickie! I'm very much interested in a solution like this, as my biggest "nuisance" has been dry eye irritation and bumping around with a taped eye all day -I'm in a limbo stage right now while I wait to see how much more facial paralysis improves. I saw a neuroopthamologist my surgeon suggested I see and asked him about a protective lens -he said he was very against these lenses because of high likelihood of infections and damage to the eye which struck me as strange -he wanted to perform temporary tarsorrhaphy, which I ended up deciding against doing, that solution didn't sit right with me, and second opinions found it odd too and thought a gold weight would be better. I'd like to avoid eye surgery if possible. Did your doctor say anything about the drawback of scleral lenses, or anything to do to prevent infections or eye damage? I look forward to reading more about your experience and tips. Thanks again! -Jessica

[vickieastwood]

Hi Jessonia, my opthomology surgeon didn't even know about scleral lenses, I don't believe they are trained in them. My guess is that yours just doesn't know anything about them so tried to steer you away. Basically they are hard contact lenses. The differences are that they are bigger ( covering and protecting your cornea), a machine take detailed measurements of your eye- up to 10,000 I think, and they are deeper so that you put drops in them that will stay against your eye all day while you wear them. The infection risk isn't any more than any contact wearer. I can't believe how much better my eye feels when I have them on. Any my vision went from legally blind to 20/30 in that eye. They are truly a blessing for me and it sounds like would help you too. Good luck and keep us informed!

[Sanderson]

I just learned about scleral lenses today—from this website! I have been wearing an eye patch for three months! It was never suggested to me by my neuro ophthalmologist. I had my left eye partially stitched closed and it was highly upsetting. When I can spontaneously blink, the ophthalmologist is going to open my eye. It does not look as bad as one may think (but pretty has gone out the window); however, I am super frustrated to learn an easier route could have been taken. My eye issues have been physically and mentally exhausting.

Can you see clearly through the lense?

I am so grateful for this information. Thank you.

Sara

[ginsue]

OMG you have to get on one! Best thing EVER!!!!! I have wore one for about five years and I think I would sell my soul if I had to live without one. I was lucky and went to a contact specialist  in Chicago who did research on them when they were just new to the market.  Do your research and don't go to just anyone.  I wear a very large one, I think it's 18mm.  Never a dry eye issue.  It does build up mucus and dirt on it mid-day but I have two so I just change to the spare.  It also has my corrective RX in it so I don't need glasses. I also had my eye stitched partially shut years ago.  I had that reversed many years ago and had a gold weight put in my eye lid.  It kind of works like a doll so that when I lay down it closes.  It also isn't wide open when I am upright.  Love that too. A plastic surgeon did that procedure along with putting some fascia from my leg and tied  it to my nose and mouth to pull back the dropping. This helped with slurring of speech and breathing out of my nose. I don't ever think of my eye anymore, it was the worst thing of all the problems I had related to the AN.  Please don't give this any more thought, GO GET ONE!!!  It takes a while to learn to put it in but now I can even put one in without a mirror.