Scleral Lenses Help Patients Regain Clear Sight After LASIK Complications

Scleral Lenses are the ideal solution for vision complications after LASIK or PRK. They enable you to see clearly once again and also protect the cornea that has been altered by the procedure. Scleral contact lenses are made of a gas-permeable materials that allows the maximum amount of oxygen in, to keep the cornea (front window of the eye) as healthy as possible. The lenses are usually about the same size as a soft lens but are able to correct imperfections and the new shape. Soft lenses can’t do that. They vault over the cornea, creating a new clear dome, and they rest on the white part of the eye. They do not touch the cornea, and thus, there is no pressure on the sensitive corneal tissue. Scleral contact lenses provide ultra-clear vision combined with all-day comfort and are a successful option for hard-to-fit contact lens patients.

Scleral lenses are prescribed for patients who have vision problems after LASIK. They are also prescribed for patients with keratoconus, severe dry eye syndrome, corneal abnormalities, trauma to the cornea, and for individuals who have high astigmatism. Scleral Lenses support ocular healing, they are also used by patients who’ve sustained ocular traumas, including chemical burns.

Refractive eye surgeries, LASIK, LASEK, PRK are FDA approved and are a safe and effective method for correcting vision. However, just like any other surgical procedure, it comes with risks.

A high percentage of patients are happy with their LASIK/PRK outcomes and report no long-term side effects. Some, however, have persistent and sometimes life changing complications.

Scleral Lenses vault (create a dome) over the cornea. The new optical surface is clear and many of the symptoms of hazy or blurred vision, sensitivity to light during the day, and glare at night, are reduced or eliminated.

What Is Corneal Ectasia?

LASIK reduces the thickness of the cornea in order to reduce the prescription. At times, the cornea becomes so thin, that it starts to bulge out. That is called Corneal Ectasia. At times, this is called Keratoconus, however Ectasia and Keratoconus are actually two different things. Keratoconus is a disease of the cornea. Ectasia occurs when a perfectly normal cornea is cut to make it thinner, and it then protrudes, causing the symptoms that include: blurred vision, seeing halos or glare around lights, corneal steepening and worsening vision. Corneal Ectasia is a sight-threatening condition. Eyeglass are regular soft contact don;t work because they are designed for a normally shaped cornea. Scleral lenses are customized for the new shape of the cornea and can help restore clear vision and comfort.

Corneal Aberrations after LASIK

LASIK eye surgery causes imperfections or irregularities in the cornea. The cornea is the clear cap of the eye that allows light to focus onto the Retina, the back surface of the eye. Common symptoms include: poor night vision, seeing starbursts, and having blurred vision. The severity of symptoms will depend on how the LASIK incision was made and the size of the pupil.

Scleral contact lenses come in contact with the sclera, the white part of the eye that gives the eye its structure. Scleral Lenses create a dome over the cornea, and do not touch the cornea. It acts as a optically clear surface to focuses light correctly onto the retina at the back of the eye.

Scleral Lenses restore vision.

Dry Eye Syndrome

Dry Eye is very common after LASIK and PRK surgeries because those surgeries cut the cornea’s nerves. This then leads to dry eye syndrome.

Scleral lenses create a dome over the cornea so there is a reservoir of nourishing fluid between the cornea and the back surface of the Scleral Lenses/ The Scleral Lenses are made of a highly oxygen-permeable material. This means that it allows the most amount of oxygen in, to keep the cornea healthy. Scleral Lenses help keep the eye’s surface hydrated and comfortable.

Irregular Astigmatism

When the cornea is altered, it creates Irregular astigmatism. That means that the front surface of the cornea is not shaped evenly and it is unequally curved. This can bring about double vision, blurred vision, poor night vision and headaches. Irregular astigmatism can occur after refractive surgery.

Scleral Contact Lenses create a new optical surface over the cornea and, in most cases, corrects the vision problem that are due to irregular astigmatism. This new surface is like having a new cornea. It bends light correctly, onto the retina, and therefore provides clear vision.

How We Are Able to Help

At Family Eye Care in Old Bridge, NJ, we have helped many patients who have lost clarity due to refractive surgery. We look forward to helping you as well.

We prescribe custom designed Scleral Lenses for many conditions and help patients achieve the clearest possible vision for their conditions.

To schedule a consultation or learn more about what we offer, call us.