If you’re considering scleral contact lenses or already wear them, understanding their lifespan is crucial for your eye health and budget planning. These specialized lenses offer exceptional vision correction for people with irregular corneas and other complex eye conditions.
Unlike traditional soft contact lenses, scleral contact lenses are designed to last significantly longer with proper care. Visit Magnolia Eye Group to learn more about whether scleral lenses are right for your unique vision needs.
What are Scleral Contact Lenses?
Scleral contact lenses are large, rigid gas-permeable lenses that vault over your entire cornea and rest on the white part of your eye called the sclera. These specialized lenses create a smooth optical surface by filling the space between the lens and your cornea with sterile saline solution. This design makes scleral contact lenses ideal for people with irregular corneas, severe dry eyes, or other conditions where traditional contact lenses don’t provide adequate comfort or vision correction.
When should you consider Scleral Lenses?
Keratoconus or other corneal irregularities – These conditions cause your cornea to become cone-shaped, making standard contacts uncomfortable and ineffective.
Severe dry eye syndrome – The fluid reservoir created by scleral contact lenses helps keep your eyes moist throughout the day.
Post-surgical complications – After corneal transplants or other eye surgeries, scleral lenses can provide better vision than glasses or regular contacts.
High astigmatism – When glasses or soft contacts can’t correct your vision adequately, scleral lenses offer superior optical clarity.
Giant papillary conjunctivitis – This allergic reaction to contact lenses makes wearing traditional contacts difficult, but scleral lenses often work well.
How Often Should You Replace Your Scleral Contact Lenses?
Most scleral contact lenses last between one to three years with proper care and maintenance. This lifespan is significantly longer than soft contact lenses, which typically need replacement every day, week, or month, depending on the type. The exact duration your scleral contact lenses will last depends on factors like your eye condition, how well you care for them, and your individual eye chemistry. Your eye doctor will monitor your lenses during regular check-ups and recommend replacement when necessary.
6 Signs You Need to Replace Your Scleral Contact Lenses
- Decreased comfort – If your lenses start feeling uncomfortable, scratchy, or cause irritation, it may be time for new ones.
- Blurry or changing vision – When your vision becomes less sharp or you notice changes in clarity, your lenses may have developed deposits or scratches.
- Visible damage – Cracks, chips, or warping in your scleral contact lenses requires immediate replacement to prevent eye injury.
- Protein buildup – White or cloudy deposits that don’t come off with cleaning indicate it’s time for new lenses.
- Frequent infections – If you’re experiencing more eye infections than usual, old lenses might be harboring bacteria despite proper cleaning.
- Poor fit – Changes in how your lenses sit on your eye or increased movement during blinking suggest lens warpage or eye changes.
5 Factors that Affect the Lifespan of Your Scleral Contact Lenses
Your Eye Chemistry
Some people naturally produce more proteins and lipids in their tears, which can build up on lenses faster. Others may have different pH levels or enzyme activity that affects lens materials differently. Your eye doctor can help you understand your unique eye chemistry and recommend appropriate cleaning solutions and replacement schedules.
Daily Care Routine
Consistent daily cleaning removes protein deposits, bacteria, and other debris that can degrade lens materials over time. Proper storage in fresh solution prevents contamination and maintains lens shape. Skipping cleaning steps or using tap water instead of sterile solutions can significantly shorten lens life and increase infection risk.
Environmental Factors
Dusty, smoky, or windy environments can cause more debris to accumulate on your lenses. Air conditioning and heating systems can dry out your eyes, leading to more protein deposits. Swimming pools, hot tubs, and other water sources contain chemicals and microorganisms that can damage lens materials if exposure occurs.
Lens Material Quality
Higher-quality materials resist deposits better and maintain their shape longer. Some materials are more prone to scratching or warping than others. Your eye doctor will select the best material for your specific needs, balancing durability with oxygen permeability and comfort.
Frequency of Use
Daily wear causes more protein buildup and mechanical wear than occasional use. However, storing lenses for long periods without use can also cause problems like solution interactions or shape changes. Consistent wear patterns help your eye doctor predict when replacement will be needed.
How to Take Care of Your Scleral Contact Lenses
- Use antibacterial soap and dry with a lint-free towel before handling your lenses to prevent contamination.
- Take out one lens at a time and rinse with sterile saline solution to remove debris and proteins.
- Use the cleaning solution recommended by your eye doctor, gently rubbing the lens in your palm for 20-30 seconds.
- Remove all cleaning solution residue with sterile saline before storage or reinsertion.
- Place lenses in clean cases filled with fresh solution; never reuse old solution.
- Change your lens cases every 1-3 months to prevent bacterial growth and contamination.
- Attend all follow-up appointments so your eye doctor can monitor lens condition and eye health.
- Always have extra cleaning solutions, saline, and storage cases available for proper maintenance.
Are Scleral Lenses right for you?
Determining whether scleral contact lenses are appropriate for your vision needs requires a comprehensive evaluation by a qualified eye care professional. Your eye doctor will assess your corneal shape, tear production, eye health history, and lifestyle factors to determine if scleral lenses will provide the best outcome for your situation. They’ll also consider your ability to handle and care for these specialized lenses, as proper maintenance is crucial for success. A thorough fitting process ensures your scleral lenses provide optimal comfort, vision correction, and eye health benefits.
What are the downsides of Scleral Contact Lenses?
- Scleral contact lenses require a significant upfront investment compared to glasses or soft contacts, though their longer lifespan helps offset this expense.
- Learning to properly insert and remove scleral lenses takes practice and patience, especially during the initial adjustment period.
- Your eyes may need several weeks to fully adapt to wearing scleral contact lenses comfortably throughout the day.
- Daily cleaning and proper storage routines are more involved than caring for soft contacts or glasses.
- Sometimes, air bubbles can form under the lens during insertion, requiring removal and reinsertion for clear vision.
- Not all eye care providers fit scleral lenses, so you may need to find a specialist in your area.
4 Benefits of Scleral Lenses
Superior Vision Quality
Scleral contact lenses provide exceptional visual clarity by creating a smooth, regular optical surface over irregular corneas. The rigid lens material offers crisp, stable vision that doesn’t fluctuate with blinking like soft contacts might. This consistent optical quality is particularly beneficial for people with conditions like keratoconus, where the corneal irregularities make achieving clear vision challenging compared to other methods.
All-Day Comfort
The unique design of scleral contact lenses creates a protective cushion of saline solution between the lens and your cornea. This fluid reservoir keeps your eyes moist and comfortable throughout the day, making them ideal for people with dry eye syndrome. Unlike smaller contacts that can shift and cause discomfort, scleral lenses rest gently on the sclera and rarely move during normal activities.
Protection for Sensitive Eyes
Scleral contact lenses act as a barrier between your sensitive cornea and environmental irritants like dust, wind, and allergens. This protective function is especially valuable for people with corneal conditions or those recovering from eye surgery. The lens shields your eye from external elements while maintaining a healthy, moist environment underneath.
Long-Term Cost Effectiveness
While scleral contact lenses have a higher upfront cost, their durability makes them economical over time. With proper care, these lenses can last one to three years, eliminating the frequent replacement costs associated with daily or monthly soft contacts. When you factor in the superior vision quality and reduced need for additional treatments, scleral contact lenses often provide better value than alternatives.
Versatility for Complex Conditions
Scleral contact lenses can address multiple eye conditions simultaneously, making them versatile solutions for complex cases. They can correct high levels of astigmatism while providing moisture for dry eyes and protection for sensitive corneas. Eye doctors can customize the lens parameters to address your specific combination of vision and comfort needs in a single solution.
Conclusion
Scleral contact lenses typically last one to three years with proper care, making them a cost-effective long-term vision solution. Regular maintenance, proper cleaning techniques, and routine eye exams help maximize their lifespan while keeping your eyes healthy.
Schedule an appointment with Magnolia Eye Group today to discuss whether scleral lenses are right for you. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more eye health tips and updates about the latest vision correction options.