Hartsdale Family Eye Care Is Leading The Way For Scleral Lenses In Westchester
What Are Scleral Lenses?
Scleral lenses incorporate a multiple posterior curve system to obtain corneal alignment and can be totally customized. Patients who wear scleral lenses will have exceptional comfort and clarity throughout the day.
Scleral lenses have allowed tens of thousands of patients who have suffered vision loss due to keratoconus, post-refractive surgical complications, severe dry eyes and a host of other corneal conditions to see clearly and comfortably once again. Scleral lens technology is the fastest growing area in the contact lens industry.
Each scleral lens has its own geometry and architecture much like a unique home. When we design a lens, we are creating a medical device to vault over a damaged ocular surface. This lens in effect replaces the cornea as an optical surface. The compromised vision caused by the damaged cornea is eliminated with the scleral lens. Since the lens does not touch the cornea, saline solution fills the space between the back surface of the lens and the front surface of the cornea. Vision and comfort is almost always excellent. Because the eye is constantly bathed in saline solution, the compromised ocular surface has an opportunity to rejuvenate. In other words, the scleral lens acts as a therapeutic device in addition to a vision correcting device.
Who Are Scleral Lenses Good For?
The scleral lens performs exceptionally well on dry eyes and irregular corneas including keratoconus, corneal trauma, pellucid marginal degeneration, penetrating keratoplasties, post LASIK and RK patients.. Patients who wear scleral lens will have unsurpassed comfort and clarity throughout the day. Scleral Lenses are for old and young patients alike, however for younger patients supervision is required for inserting and removal of the lenses.
To be more specific, gas permeable Scleral lenses should be considered for patients suffering loss of vision and ocular comfort due to the following conditions:
- Keratoconus
- Pellucid Marginal Degeneration
- Irregular and Distorted Corneas
- Severe Chronic Dry Eye
- Post Refractive Surgical Complications, such as LASIK, Radial Keratotomy, PRK, ALK
- Corneal Dystrophies
- Secondary ectasias caused by LASIK, Radial Keratotomy, PRK, ALK
- Sjogren’s Syndrome
- Ocular Trauma Corneal Transplant Surgery
- Ocular Inflammation due to auto-immune disease
- Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
- Neurotrophic Keratitis Lens
What Is The Process Of Getting Scleral Lens Contacts?
Fitting takes around 1.5-2 hours, the fittings are extensive and performed by our Optometrist Dr. Schwartz. During the Scleral Lens Exam our Optometrist will use advanced technology to create a map of your eye, using the Medmont Topographer and Optovue OCT.
Our optometrist, will decide what Scleral lens is best suited for your situation, currently, we offer the largest brands of Scleral lenses, Acculens, Ampleye, Boston Sight, and Zen Lenses.
After the fitting the lens is dispensed.
Following which, the patient will undergo training with the lens until they are comfortable inserting and removing. If they do well in training they will take them home. In some situations, family members will be trained to assist in the process.
The patient will then be scheduled for their follow up visits to ascertain if the lens is fitting properly over time.
If you are in the Hartsdale, NY area and want to discuss scleral lenses, book an eye exam or consult today with Hartsdale Family Eyecare or call us at (914) 725-1600.
My name is Alberta and I have Keratoconus in both eyes. I was introduced to scleral lens last year and they were life-changing. I had cross-linking in both eyes and found I was no longer getting good vision from my scleral lens. I also relocated from FL to NY. I had to search for a new scleral lens fitter. After searching the internet and reading reviews, I scheduled an appointment with Dr. Arlene Schwartz at Hartsdale Family Eyecare. I am so grateful to Dr Schwartz who was able to fit me for a new lens.
Dr. Schwartz was very patient and very thorough. She made sure she got the fit perfect and the vision great. Her staff was very friendly and professional. Everyone was absolutely awesome! If you have Keratoconus or any eye problems that require a special lens or for your routine eye care, I highly recommend Dr. Schwartz and the Hartsdale Family Eyecare.
At Hartsdale Family Eyecare is one of the leading specialists of Scleral Lenses with patients from all over Westchester including Ardsley, White Plains, and Scarsdale. Dr. Arlene Schwartz can fit custom-made scleral and semi-scleral contact lenses using cutting-edge innovations. She stays up-to-date with the latest techniques and technology to best help her patients achieve custom lenses that bring them ideal comfort & clear vision.