Scleral Lenses in the Management of Ocular Surface Disease

Scleral lenses in the treatment of post-LASIK ectasia and superficial neovascularization of intrastromal corneal ring segments

“…They are fitted in a way to vault the cornea. They maintain a constant reservoir of fluid between the posterior surface of the lens and the anterior surface of the cornea to ensure hydration [5]. This fluid layer also compensates for the surface irregularities, leading to improved visual acuity.…”

“…In fact, correction of irregular astigmatism was the primary indication for scleral lenses in early studies, but more recent studies have confirmed their utility in the management of various ocular surface diseases including keratoconjunctivits sicca, neurotrophic keratopathy, cicatrizing conjunctivitis, limbal stem cell deficiency, and exposure keratopathy [4]. The unique way scleral lenses are fitted enable them to protect the ocular surface from the friction generated by eyelid movement and provide corneal hydration [5]. This modality can provide the comfort of a soft lens with the optical quality of a gas-permeable lens [4].…”

Corneal changes following short-term miniscleral contact lens wear

“…More recently, scleral lenses have also been utilised as a therapeutic intervention in cases of ocular surface disease (e.g. exposure keratopathy [3], Sjogren's syndrome [4], Steven-Johnson's Syndrome [5]) by providing the cornea with continual hydration during lens wear without evaporation.…”

Adaptación de lente de contacto de apoyo escleral en un paciente con queratoplastia penetrante causada por una ectasia unilateral post-LASIK: reporte de caso

“…Cabe aclarar que aunque los lentes de contacto esclerales se usan para atender enfermedades de la superficie ocular, estos no deben considerarse la primera línea de tratamiento para estas patologías y siempre se recomienda como dirección inicial la terapéutica ocular o sistémica convencional, antes de llegar a este tipo de adaptaciones (20). Igualmente, es importante subrayar que el paciente puede utilizar sin complicaciones el lente de apoyo escleral durante todo el día, solo debe retirarlo cada cuatro o cinco horas para la aplicación de solución salina, que se reduce por el decante normal del lente.…”