Dry eye is a condition caused by the inability of the eyes to lubricate themselves. The most common cause of dry eyes is a reduction in tear production or an increase in tear evaporation caused by poor tear quality.
The tear film comprises three layers: oil, the aqueous fluid, and mucin. The work of the tears is to clear dust, pollen particles, cold, etc., and protect your eyes by moisturizing them. Any damage to the tear ducts can lead to dry eye problems. The most common symptoms of dry eye are irritation, eye fatigue, redness, blurry vision, and watery eyes, among others.
Optometrists use scleral contact lenses to treat dry eye disease, but how do they work?
Scleral contact lenses are soft contact used by dry eye patients. Unlike other contact lenses, which cover just the corneal tissue, scleral contact lenses cover the whole corneal surface and stay on the white part of the eye (sclera), giving better protection.
Scleral contact lenses have many advantages over standard soft contact lenses. They are easy to handle, have extended durability, and offer a sharper vision.
The lenses can transform an irregular cornea into a smooth surface because they sit on the cornea's surface. The lens helps create a reservoir of fluid at the back of the lens, relieving dry eye patients from the symptoms.
Scleral contact lenses offer myriad benefits and advantages to their users. They include:
With the help of the fluid reservoir at the back of the scleral contact lenses, the lenses offer lubrication to the eye of the patient suffering from dry eyes, which in turn relieves the patient from the grave symptoms of dry eye.
Particles like dust, smoke, and wind are irritants that affect most people with dry eye. While eye drops help relieve the eyes, they are not a lasting solution to the problem. Scleral contact lenses offer a better solution to prevent irritants like these from entering your eyes.
Another advantage of scleral contact lenses is the significantly reduced number of visits to your optometrist. Solutions like the eye drop have a shelf life and, with frequent use, end up serving the patient for a short period. Scleral contact lenses, on the other hand, offer a better and long-lasting solution.
The lenses are long and designed to cover the entire cornea, offering more comfort and decreased reliability on artificial tears or eye drops. One can wear the scleral contact lenses for an extended period since they are comfortable on the eye.
Sclera contact lenses not only treat dry eye conditions, but they are also helpful in conditions such as:
It is important to note that scleral contact lenses are not a fit-all solution. A visit to your optometrist will lead you to tailor-made scleral lenses that will solve your problem and offer the best vision.
For more on scleral contact lenses and eye care, visit Limestone Eye Care at our office in Lawrence, Kansas. Call (785) 268-6880 to book an appointment today.