Blog
Scleral Contact Lenses
Posted: 07/09/2022
We are excited to announce that Winchester branch are now offering fitting of scleral contact lenses, which are ideal for water sports enthusiasts! Our contact lens wearers will be familiar with being told to keep contact lenses away from water. This is because with most types of contact lens, water can easily get under the lens or into the lens material which can create a risk of severe infection. However, with scleral lenses a sealed unit is formed so that water cannot get under the lens, nor can it get into the lens material. This makes them ideal for sports such as sailing, paddleboarding and kayaking for example. Whilst we still wouldn’t recommend them for swimming, as they do not protect the whole of the eyes from water, they are safe to be used for swimming if well fitted goggles are used on top.
Scleral lenses can also be used for dry eyes, as they effectively bathe the front surface of the eye with a pool of fluid. They are also extremely useful for complex prescriptions when standard contact lenses have not given the desired level of clear vision. For some eye conditions, such as keratoconus, scleral lenses can enhance vision way beyond what can be achieved with other lens types.
Creating a sealed unit also means they are ideal for dusty environments. That could be your work environment, or perhaps a hobby like orienteering or a ball sport on a dusty pitch. Nothing can get behind the lens – and they cannot fall out! Allergy sufferers can also benefit from them, as they protect the delicate clear front surface of the eye (the cornea) from irritation from allergens.
Scleral lenses are about the same size as a soft contact lens, and although they are rigid to the touch they are extremely comfortable once they are floated onto your eyes. They are easy to take care of and are made of a highly oxygen permeable material to keep your eyes healthy.
For more information, contact our Winchester branch by emailing winchester@rawlingsopticians.co.uk
< Back
