The concept of scleral contact lenses is as old as 100 years, but their use was limited due to various issues such as permeability and material of lens. However with technological advancement, the use of scleral lenses have become wide spread in past few decades for various ocular conditions, including post-LASIK complications like residual refractive error.
Scleral contact lenses for post LASIK complications
In post LASIK cases, the modified cornea may no longer be able to fit well to conventional lenses like toric soft lenses and may add to patient’s irritation and frustration. Scleral contact lenses are advised to those patients to overcome the post LASIK complications such as visual disturbances and dry eyes.
What is a scleral contact lens?
Scleral contact lenses are a type of rigid gas permeable lenses. They are often considered to be the last resort for patients for whom other lenses have failed.
Scleral contact lenses are wider than usual lenses and thus are supported entirely by the sclera, without irritating or getting support from cornea. Therefore they are helpful in preventing corneal irritation and to overcome corneal surface abnormalities easily.
How scleral contact lenses help post LASIK patients
During the LASIK procedure, the cornea is modified and manipulated. Although the procedure is performed to get rid of lenses and glasses, in some cases of LASIK complications, scleral lenses might be the last resort in solving the post LASIK side effects. However, due to corneal changes during the LASIK procedure, conventional lenses are hard to fit on its surface and thus result in more irritation and issues. In those patients, scleral contact lenses are advised to fix post LASIK complications.
The scleral contact lenses provide vision correction without touching the cornea, therefore any irregularity on the surface of cornea has no affect in de-shaping the scleral contact lens surface.
Furthermore, the permeable material used in scleral contact lenses allows easy gas exchange preventing corneal hypoxia.
The scleral contact lenses are helpful in patients with dry eyes and various other visual issues following LASIK surgery.
If you’re not happy after LASIK surgery and are having any post LASIK complications, consult Dr. Irwin Azman, Post LASIK Specialist, for a complimentary telephone consultation. Discuss the possibility and effectiveness of scleral contact lenses and all your options in your case.
Dr. Irwin Azman is one of the pioneers of the Post LASIK | PRK | RK patient. With over 25 years of experience in the management and treatment of the Post LASIK patient. Together with his knowledge and experience Dr. Azman is able to prescribe each patient with the proper solution in resolving their Post LASIK complications, including starburst, glare, dry eye, and other LASIK complications.
Serving the following areas since 1975:
MARYLAND: Annapolis, Baltimore, Bel Air, Bowie, Carney, Cockeysville, Crofton, Elkton, Essex, Fallston, Fredrick, Glenwood, Hampstead, Havre De Grace, Jarrettsville, Kingsville, Laurel, Lutherville, Manchester, Monkton, Parkton, Parkville, Phoenix, Pikesville, Randallstown, Reisterstown, Severn, Severna Park, Silver Spring, Sparks-Glencoe, Sparrows Point, Towson, Westminster, and Perry Hall PENNSYLVANIA: Harrisburg, Hershey, Middleton, Shrewsbury, and York. VIRGINIA: Alexandria, Fairfax, Tysons Corner, and Vienna WASHINGTION DC.