Scleral Lenses FAQs and Answers from our Leawood Optometrists

If you have irregular corneas or some other vision problems, your optometrist may have told you in the past that you're not a good candidate for contact lenses. Due to newer technological advances, you may want to get a second opinion and ask about scleral contact lenses.

At Vision Professionals of Leawood, we have many patients who can now successfully wear contact lenses where they never could before. These patients naturally have a lot of questions about these new types of lenses. Our trusted and experienced Leawood optometrists answer some frequently asked questions about scleral contact lenses.

What are Scleral Contact Lenses?

Scleral lenses are gas permeable lenses that have a much wider diameter than typical contact lenses. Their special design allows them to rise up over the cornea of the eye without touching it, and rest on the whites of the eye around the edges. The smooth surface of the lens replaces the irregular lens of the eye, causing clearer vision. And for patients with chronic dry eye, the space between the lens and the cornea can function as a reservoir to hold fluids, making the lenses much more comfortable to wear.

Can I Sleep Wearing Scleral Lenses?

In almost all cases, we recommend taking your lenses out to clean them every 12 to 14 hours. Leaving your lenses in your eyes overnight may lead to an increased chance of eye infections. In this, like in all aspects of vision correction, it's important to ask your optometrist what she advises.

Why Does My Vision Get Blurry After Several Hours of Use?

If your eyesight gets blurry after you wear your scleral lenses for 5 or more hours, it's likely because of a buildup of deposits either inside or on the surface of the lenses. Remove your lenses and clean them thoroughly before putting them back in your eyes. This should clear up your vision right away.

How Often Do I Replace Scleral Lenses?

You'll need to replace your scleral lenses if your vision prescription changes, like any other type of contact lenses. If your eyesight remains the same, your scleral lenses should last as long as other rigid gas-permeable lenses, from one to three years on average.

Learn More About Scleral Lenses from our Optometrist in Leawood

Any type of vision care always begins with a comprehensive eye exam. Call our office at 913-239-9446 to schedule an appointment for your examination today. Talk to our Leawood optometrists to find out if scleral lenses are an option for your vision enhancement