The Ultimate Solution for Severe Dry Eye: Scleral Lenses at Vision and Ortho-K Center

Dry eyes create problems. In fact, if you have severe dry eye syndrome, you know all too well how symptoms like burning, irritation, light sensitivity, and blurry vision can make daily activities difficult. 

While artificial tears may provide temporary relief for some people, if you wear contact lenses or if you have certain irregularities, eye drops may not provide the level of relief you’re looking for. 

The good news is that scleral lenses offer a unique design that provides the same vision correction as traditional contacts, but without the dry-eye irritation.

Curtis Frank, OD, has extensive experience in scleral lenses, helping patients at Vision and Ortho-K Center find the relief they need from their severe dry eyes without trading in their contacts. 

In this post, Dr. Frank offers an overview of these special lenses, focusing specifically on why they work so well for people with advanced dry eye symptoms.

What are scleral lenses?

Your eyes depend on regular lubrication from your tears. If your tear film is thin, it it evaporates too quickly. Some people just don’t produce enough tears. In any case, you can wind up with dry eyes and uncomfortable symptoms, like:

• Itching
• Burning
• Excessive tearing
• Blurry vision
• Foreign-body sensations
• Grittiness

Because contacts rest on the sensitive cornea part of your eye, they can increase these symptoms and make daily activities more uncomfortable and frustrating.

Scleral lenses get their name from the sclera — the white part of your eye. Larger than traditional contacts, scleral lenses feature a domed shape that “goes over” the sensitive cornea.

The space between the lens and the cornea provides a reservoir for fluid that creates a sort of “liquid cushion” to keep the eye moist. 

However, like regular contacts, scleral lenses depend on an accurate fitting, which is why seeing a scleral lens specialist like Dr. Frank is so important.

How can scleral lenses help my dry eyes?

When it comes to managing dry eye, scleral lenses offer a fluid-filled “cushion” between the lens and the surface of your eye that reduces irritation.

That cushion also provides a barrier between the eye surface and surrounding air. That means that your corneas aren’t exposed to dry air or airborne irritants that make dry eye symptoms a lot worse. They’re also protected from the friction that happens each time you blink.

Are scleral lenses right for you?

Scleral lenses are often a great option for people dealing with constant dry-eye symptoms who still want to wear contact lenses. That said, they’re not always the ideal solution. 

At Vision and Ortho-K Center, Dr. Frank offers an array of solutions for dry eyes, including medications, lifestyle changes, and minimally invasive therapies.

If you’ve been struggling with uncomfortable dry eye symptoms, we can help. To find out more, request an appointment with Dr. Frank and the team at Vision and Ortho-K Center in Boston, Massachusetts, today.