Scleral lenses
A lens that rests on the white of the eye
Large, firm and made to the shape of one eye.
A scleral lens is a gas-permeable contact lens that vaults over the cornea instead of touching it and rests on the white of the eye, the sclera. The space behind the lens holds sterile saline, which keeps a smooth surface in front of the cornea. Results vary, and the exam shows whether it suits your eye.
Who we fit them for
Keratoconus and other irregular corneas
Corneas that changed after a procedure or injury
Eyes that cannot wear standard lenses comfortably
Prescriptions that ready-made lenses do not reach
The first visit
What happens at the first visit
Plan on about 90 minutes. Bring the glasses and lenses you wear now.
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Step 1: A talk about your eyes
We go through your eyes, the lenses you have tried and what has not worked. Your history is taken in person, not on a long web form.
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Step 2: An eye health exam
Before any lens, we check the health of the front and the back of the eye, because a lens can only be fitted to a healthy surface.
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Step 3: The maps
We scan the shape of the cornea and the white of the eye. These maps are what the first lens is designed from.
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Step 4: A plan for the first lens
We explain what we saw, which design we would start with, how many visits we expect and what the fitting fee covers, in writing.
Before you book
How it is billed
The exam goes to a vision plan or to medical insurance, depending on why you are coming. The fitting fee is separate, and we give it to you in writing first.
How fees workWhat to bring
Anything that helps us see what you wear and what you have tried.
Your glasses
Your current lenses and their cases
The names of your eye drops
Your cornea doctor's name, if you have one
Who fits your lenses
Dr. Shobha Kannan fits every scleral lens at the clinic and sees you at each visit until the fitting is done.
Meet Dr. Kannan
About scleral lenses
Will a scleral lens work for me?
Results vary from eye to eye. Some people see clearly and wear them comfortably, some need several changes, and a few eyes are better served by another lens. We say which we think yours is after the first maps.
Can a scleral lens be uncomfortable?
You will feel a lens at first. Edge and fit changes are the usual way to make a lens comfortable, and the follow-up visits are for that. Tell us what you notice.
How long does a pair of lenses last?
It depends on the lens, your eye and how you look after it. We give you the care steps in writing and check the lens at each follow-up visit.
Start with the maps
Book a fitting visit and bring the lenses you wear now. We will explain what we see and what we would try first.