A scleral lens is a specialty contact lens designed to help people with complex vision and eye surface needs. While many contact lenses sit directly on the cornea, a scleral lens is larger and rests on the sclera, which is the white part of the eye. This allows the lens to vault over the cornea and create a fluid-filled space that can improve vision, protect the cornea, and support comfort for certain patients.
For people with keratoconus, dry eye disease, irregular astigmatism, corneal scarring, or trouble wearing traditional contacts, a scleral lens may provide a better solution. At CFE Memphis, patients can receive a detailed specialty lens evaluation to determine whether this type of lens is right for their eyes.
How a Scleral Lens Works
A scleral lens works by creating a smooth optical surface over the front of the eye. In a healthy eye, the cornea has a regular curved shape that helps focus light clearly. When the cornea becomes irregular, light may scatter instead of focusing properly. This can create blurry vision, ghosting, glare, halos, and distorted images.
A scleral lens does not simply sit on top of the irregular cornea. Instead, it vaults over it. Before insertion, the bowl of the lens is filled with preservative-free saline. Once placed on the eye, that fluid stays between the lens and the cornea. This design can help mask corneal irregularities and provide a more consistent surface for clear vision.
This is why scleral lenses are often recommended for patients with keratoconus or other irregular cornea conditions. You can learn more about CFE Memphis’ specialty care options on the Scleral Lenses page and Keratoconus page.
Who Might Need a Scleral Lens?
A scleral lens may be recommended when standard glasses or contacts do not provide clear or comfortable vision. Patients with keratoconus are common candidates because the condition changes the shape of the cornea. When the cornea becomes cone-shaped, regular glasses may not fully correct the distortion.
Patients with severe dry eye may also be candidates. The saline-filled space under the lens may help keep the cornea hydrated during wear. This can be helpful for people who experience burning, irritation, foreign body sensation, or vision that fluctuates throughout the day.
Other candidates may include people with irregular astigmatism, corneal scars, post-surgical corneas, or contact lens intolerance. However, not everyone with these conditions automatically needs a scleral lens. A full exam is the only way to know whether this lens type is the best fit.
Patients who are unsure where to begin may benefit from a Comprehensive Eye Exam to identify the cause of their symptoms and review treatment options.
The Scleral Lens Fitting Process
The scleral lens fitting process is more involved than a standard contact lens fitting. Because each lens must be customized to the patient’s eye shape, prescription, and condition, the process usually takes multiple steps.
The first step is a detailed eye health evaluation. Your provider will check your vision, examine the cornea, review your symptoms, and evaluate any underlying condition that may affect the fit. If keratoconus, dry eye, or another corneal issue is suspected, additional testing may be recommended.
The next step is corneal measurement and lens assessment. The provider may use advanced imaging or diagnostic lenses to understand the shape of your eye. This helps determine how much the lens should vault over the cornea and how it should land on the sclera.
After that, trial lenses may be placed on the eye. Your provider will evaluate comfort, vision, lens position, and clearance. Even small changes in lens design can affect the final result. This is why follow-up care is so important.
Once a custom lens is ordered and received, you will return for dispensing and training. During this visit, you will learn how to apply the lens, remove it, fill it with saline, clean it, and store it safely. Many patients need practice at first, and that is completely normal.
Why Follow-Up Visits Matter
Follow-up visits are a key part of scleral lens success. A lens may feel comfortable at first but need adjustment after several hours of wear. Some patients may experience fogging, redness, dryness, or pressure that requires a design change.
Your provider will check the health of your eye, confirm the lens is not causing irritation, and make sure the fit remains stable. For patients with keratoconus or other progressive conditions, follow-up visits also help monitor whether the underlying condition is changing.
Skipping follow-up care can lead to discomfort, poor vision, or eye health concerns. Scleral lenses are highly effective for many patients, but they require professional monitoring.
Is a Scleral Lens Comfortable?
Many patients ask whether a scleral lens is comfortable. When properly fit, scleral lenses can be very comfortable. Since the lens rests on the sclera instead of directly on the cornea, some patients find them easier to tolerate than smaller rigid gas permeable lenses.
That said, comfort depends on fit, eye health, care habits, and solution compatibility. If a lens feels painful, creates redness, or causes cloudy vision, it should be evaluated. Patients should not force themselves to wear a lens that feels wrong.
For patients who have struggled with traditional contact lenses, a scleral lens may feel different at first. The lens is larger, and the handling routine takes practice. With training and consistency, many patients become confident using their lenses daily.
Scleral Lens Care and Solution
Proper scleral lens care is essential. Patients usually need specific products for cleaning, disinfecting, rinsing, and filling the lens. The lens is typically filled with preservative-free saline before insertion. This is different from cleaning solution and should be used exactly as directed.
Patients should never use tap water on scleral lenses. Tap water can expose the eyes to harmful organisms and increase the risk of infection. It is also important to use clean hands, replace the lens case regularly, and follow the schedule provided by the eye care team.
If your lenses become cloudy during the day, your provider may evaluate whether the issue is related to lens fit, tear debris, dry eye, or solution sensitivity.
How Much Does a Scleral Lens Cost?
The cost of a scleral lens can vary depending on the complexity of the fit, the technology used, the number of visits required, and insurance coverage. Scleral lenses generally cost more than standard soft contacts because they require custom design and more provider time.
Some patients may qualify for medically necessary contact lens benefits, especially if the lens is being used for keratoconus or another corneal condition. Coverage varies, so it is best to ask the office and review your insurance details before starting treatment.
While cost is important, value matters too. If a scleral lens helps a patient see clearly, drive more confidently, work more comfortably, or reduce daily frustration, it may be a worthwhile investment in quality of life.
Scleral Lens Care in Memphis
Patients searching for a scleral lens specialist in Memphis can turn to CFE Memphis for personalized care. The office works with patients who have keratoconus, dry eye, irregular corneas, and other complex vision needs.
CFE Memphis serves patients across Memphis and nearby communities, including Germantown, Collierville, Bartlett, Lakeland, and surrounding areas. Visit the Service Areas page to learn more about local care options.
Find Out If a Scleral Lens Is Right for You
A scleral lens can be a strong option for patients who need clearer, more stable, or more comfortable vision than standard contacts can provide. The key is a detailed evaluation and a custom fit designed around your specific eyes.
If you have keratoconus, severe dry eye, irregular astigmatism, or ongoing contact lens discomfort, schedule a specialty lens consultation with CFE Memphis to learn whether a scleral lens may be right for you.