Scleral Lens Patient Guide

What are scleral lenses?

Scleral lenses are large, custom-fit contact lenses that rest on the white part of the eye rather than directly on the cornea. They vault over the cornea and hold a layer of preservative-free saline between the lens and the eye, which can help provide clearer vision, better comfort, and protection for sensitive or irregular corneas.

Who Can Benefit From Scleral Lenses?

Keratoconus

Severe dry eye disease

Irregular astigmatism

Corneal Scarring

LASIK or RK complications

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

How Long Does a Scleral Lens Fitting Take?

A scleral lens fitting usually takes more time than a standard contact lens fitting because each lens is customized to your eyes. Your visit may include detailed measurements, imaging, and trial lenses to evaluate vision, comfort, and fit. Some patients need additional follow-up visits or adjustments before the final fit is complete.

What Happens at My First Visit?

Your first scleral lens appointment is more detailed than a routine eye exam. This visit gives Dr. Letourneau the information needed to understand your eye shape, vision concerns, and overall eye health.
During your evaluation, we may:

Review your eye health and medical history
Talk through your symptoms, goals, and current challenges
Take detailed measurements of your eyes
Evaluate your cornea, tear film, and ocular surface
Use advanced imaging to understand the shape of your eye better
Determine whether scleral lenses are a good option for you

By the end of the visit, you should have a clearer understanding of whether scleral lenses are appropriate and what the next steps may look like.

Will I Try Scleral Lenses the Same Day?

In many cases, you may try a diagnostic scleral lens during your evaluation so we can see how it feels, how well you can see, and how it fits your eye. What happens at the first visit will depend on your eye health and individual fitting needs.

What Happens During the Fitting?

During your fitting, we look closely at how the lens sits on your eye, how clearly you can see, and how your eyes respond while wearing it. Measurements and imaging help guide any adjustments so your lenses can be customized to your unique eye shape.

How Are Scleral Lenses Customized?

Scleral lenses are designed using detailed measurements of your eyes. The shape, size, power, and fit can be adjusted to match your cornea and surrounding eye surface, helping create a lens that supports your vision, comfort, and overall eye health.

What Happens When My Lenses Arrive?

Once your custom lenses arrive, you will return for a dispensing appointment.

At this visit, our team will:

Assess
lens fit

Check vision and refinements

Evaluate comfort & stability

Check eye response

Review cleaning and storage

Practice insertion and removal

Is It Hard to Put In and Remove Scleral Lenses?

There can be a learning curve at first, but most patients become more confident with practice. Because scleral lenses are larger than traditional contacts and are filled with saline before insertion, the technique is a little different. Our team will guide you through it step by step and give you time to practice before using your lenses on your own.

How Long Can I Wear Scleral Lenses Each Day?

Many patients can wear scleral lenses for 8-12 hours a day, but the right amount of time depends on the individual. Your eye health, comfort, lens fit, and reason for wearing scleral lenses can all affect your ideal wear time. Dr. Letourneau will help determine what works best for you.

What Are Common Mistakes New Wearers Make?

Common mistakes include trapping an air bubble under the lens, not filling it completely before insertion, handling lenses without clean hands, or using the wrong solution. Following your care instructions closely can help keep your lenses comfortable and your eyes healthy. Never use tap water to rinse or fill your scleral lenses.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

The number of visits varies because every scleral lens fitting is personalized. Follow-up appointments allow us to check your vision, comfort, lens fit, and eye health and make adjustments when needed. Some patients need only a few visits, while more complex eyes may require additional refinements

Want to learn more between visits? My Big Fat Scleral Lens offers patient-friendly resources about scleral lens care, application, removal, products, and common questions. Our team will still guide your specific
lens plan, but this can be a helpful place to keep learning:
https://www.mbfsl.org/

Any Questions?

Our team will promptly email or call you to answer any questions you may have.

Olathe

Office Hours

Topeka Satellite Location

Office Hours

Lawrence

Office Hours