Colorado light shifts from bright mornings to dry afternoons, and many eyes feel those changes. Patients across Longmont come in hoping for comfort after long days on screens, exposure to dry air, or years of struggling with irregular corneal shape. Scleral contact lenses offer a calm, steady way to see clearly again.
At The Optical Centre, we see how these issues can affect daily life, and we aim to guide patients toward specialty contact lenses and tools that truly support their vision.
What Are Scleral Lenses
A scleral lens is a rigid gas-permeable lens that rests on the white of the eye rather than the cornea. Instead of touching the sensitive center of the eye, the lens vaults over the cornea and holds a reservoir of sterile saline between the lens and the front of the eye. This design creates a smooth optical surface and supports a high level of visual acuity.
Patients often wonder how rigid lenses can feel gentle. Oxygen permeability plays a major role, allowing the eye to breathe. The stability of the larger lens also gives many people more comfort than they have ever felt in a type of contact lens.
Why Scleral Lenses Were Created
Scleral lenses were initially designed for patients who could not wear smaller rigid contacts. People with cone-shaped corneas, irregular astigmatism, past corneal transplants, or long-standing ocular surface disease often need a different approach.
The larger diameter spreads pressure across the sclera rather than the cornea. The fluid reservoir protects the surface throughout the day and offers comfort for patients with dry eye or surface irritation. Over time, scleral lens designs expanded and now help patients with a wide range of complex vision needs.
How Scleral Lenses Work
The design of a scleral lens balances structure with softness. Once the lens rests on the sclera, the fluid between the lens and the cornea remains in place, supporting clear, stable vision.
1. Support for Shaped Corneas
Shaped corneas often scatter light, reducing clarity. The vaulted design fills those irregularities and helps restore sharper vision.
2. Comfort for Dry Eye
Patients in Longmont often struggle with dryness due to the climate. The fluid reservoir protects the cornea and eases irritation.
3. Improved Healing After Corneal Transplants
The lens avoids pressure on healing tissue. It offers a safe way to regain visual stability.
4. Consistent Fit for Long Days
People who work outdoors, drive long distances, or spend many hours on screens appreciate the firm, consistent fit.
5. Clear Vision Through Irregular Curves
The fluid layer between the lens and the cornea provides a smooth path for light, improving visual acuity.
Who Benefits from Scleral Contacts
Many people in Longmont reach a point where regular contact lenses or glasses no longer feel comfortable or reliable. Scleral lenses offer a steady option for patients who want clearer vision and long-lasting comfort when other solutions fall short. Here are some of the top candidates for scleral lenses:
- People With Irregular Corneal Shape: This includes keratoconus, pellucid marginal degeneration, and other shaped corneas.
- Patients With Ocular Surface Disease: The protective reservoir reduces symptoms and supports comfort.
- People With Past Corneal Transplants: A scleral lens avoids pressure on sensitive graft tissue and restores clarity.
- Those Who Struggle With Soft Contact Lens Comfort: Scleral lens wear often feels more stable and gentle.
During a scleral lens evaluation at The Optical Centre, we look at your visual needs, daily activities, corneal shape, and comfort goals. By the end of your visit, you will have gained a clear understanding of whether scleral lenses can support your vision.
Get Scleral Lenses That Support Clear Vision Across Longmont, CO
People throughout Longmont want dependable vision that carries them through bright mornings, family time, workdays, and quiet evenings. Scleral contact lenses give many patients the clarity and comfort they once believed was out of reach.
At The Optical Centre, we fit scleral lenses with care and attention. If shaped corneas, dryness, or irregular vision affect your daily life, a visit can show whether this lens design offers the clarity you need. Book your comprehensive eye exam to find out if specialty contact lenses are right for you.
Scleral Contact Lenses FAQs
How do scleral contacts feel compared with soft contacts?
Most patients report feeling stable and gentle once they settle on the sclera.
Can I wear scleral lenses after a corneal transplant?
Many transplant patients benefit from the vaulting design because it avoids pressure on the graft.
Are scleral RGP contact lenses safe for long days on screens?
Yes. Their oxygen permeability and stability help support comfortable vision during extended screen use.