Dry eyes aren’t just irritating—they often get in the way of your everyday life. Many people find themselves living with a constant stinging, dry, burning sensation that won’t go away. But what if finding relief is easier than you think?
Scleral contact lenses are an excellent way to treat dry eyes. These oversized contact lenses arch over the cornea and trap a small amount of tears against the surface of your eyes. If you’re living with dry eyes, talk to your optometrist about scleral lenses—they can make a significant difference!
What Are Scleral Lenses?
Scleral lenses are a specialty contact lens. They’re known for their large size, unique design, and comfort.
Unlike standard lenses—which rest against the cornea—scleral lenses are significantly larger. Due to their custom shape, they rest against the whites of your eyes (the sclera). From there, they arch over the cornea without ever making contact, leaving a small gap underneath. This design allows a small reservoir of fluid to stay trapped against your eye’s surface.
Because they don’t touch the cornea, scleral lenses are especially comfortable. That’s why they’re often ideal for conditions that affect the cornea, like astigmatism and refractive errors. However, scleral lenses also offer one key additional benefit: a simple approach to treating dry eye.
What Is Dry Eye?
The eye’s tear film consists of 3 distinct layers—oil, water, and mucus. These layers work together to keep the eye lubricated and free from irritation. When the tear film is balanced, it acts like a shield for your eyes.
However, this balance is sometimes disrupted. This leaves the eye vulnerable, sensitive, and exposed. The resulting condition is called “dry eye.” This common eye condition can be broken down into 2 categories;
- Evaporative dry eye, where the tear film evaporates too quickly due to a lack of oils
- Aqueous deficiency dry eye, where the eye doesn’t produce enough tears due to a lack of hydration and nutrients
Dry eye frequently results in inflammation and irritation. You’ll notice persistent dry and stinging sensations. These can be chronic or temporary, making dry eye an extremely inconvenient condition.
Dry Eye: What Are the Symptoms?
At first, dry eye symptoms may be nothing more than mild irritation. However, as they worsen, you’ll likely notice:
- A gritty sensation, as if something is in the eye
- Redness in the eyes
- A burning feeling
- Blurred vision
- Sensitivity to light
These aren’t just temporary problems. Chronic dry eyes increase the risk of other problems, like infections, scratches, and more. This can lead to permanent vision damage if you’re not careful.
If you notice the symptoms of dry eyes, visit your optometrist as soon as you can. They can work with you to create a targeted treatment plan that addresses the underlying cause of your symptoms.
What Causes Dry Eye?
Inside your eyelids, you have dozens of tiny glands called meibomian glands. These produce the oils needed to keep your tear film protected. However, they can become blocked or obstructed and stop sending oils to your eyes. This condition is called “meibomian gland dysfunction” and is the leading cause of evaporative dry eye.
However, this isn’t the only cause. Dry eye is more likely to develop if:
- The environment is windy, dry, or air-conditioned, which can accelerate tear evaporation
- You are over the age of 50, as tear production tends to decrease naturally with age
- You use certain medications, such as antihistamines or antidepressants
- You have an underlying medical condition, like autoimmune disorders or diabetes
Your optometrist will start by assessing your eyes and tear film. This helps us understand what’s causing your dry eyes and how we can address the root of your problem.
How Scleral Lenses Help Dry Eye
Scleral lenses are one of the simplest ways to treat dry eyes. They’re much more efficient than most people think, and it’s all due to their unique shape.
When the lenses arch over your cornea, they leave a tiny space. This space fills with a saline solution— your tears— and traps moisture against the surface of your eye. Scleral lenses help you find relief from the persistent dryness and offer lasting relief while you wear them.
Meanwhile, the lenses only rest on the whites of your eyes rather than on an already-irritated cornea. While other contacts may irritate the eye further, scleral lenses don’t make contact with the cornea at all. You can allow you to enjoy clear, comfortable vision.
If you’re living with dry eyes, you may be a candidate for scleral lenses. However, always listen to your optometrist. They may recommend alternate treatments for your dry eyes, like prescription eye drops or compresses.
Are Scleral Lenses Right for You?
Scleral lenses offer a unique solution for those living with persistent dry eye symptoms. They offer significant benefits and give you an easy way to find relief from dry eyes.
If you’re living with dry eyes, don’t suffer in silence. Instead, come see our team at Toronto Centre Eye Care. We’ll help you explore your options and find a treatment that works for you. Book your appointment with us today, and take your first step towards relief. You deserve it!
